Good Old Boat Magazine is a favorite publication to look at for ideas. I found this project in issue 34 January / February 2004. The article on page 70 is entitled "Let There be LED Light". The instructions suggested a 12v source to be plugged into with a wire run from the bottom of the unit. The idea of an oil burner transformed into a new millennium light suited me, but I did not want the wire or find a place to plug it in.
The first consideration was to determine how long the LED's would stay bright with batteries as a power source. I constructed a rough assembly, hooked it up, turned it on and left it alone except to check it each evening to see if it was still working. After a week of continual use, I found there was little if any dimming of the lights. The project was a go!
The author of the article suggests an anchor light from a swap meet. I bypassed that step, went direct to West Marine Jewelers and bought a new Den Haan Ankerlight. They are available in large and small. I chose the small PN:468660 at a cost (on sale) of $184.99 (2005) $339.99 (2008). A little pricey. But beauty rarely comes cheap.
I measured the opening at the top and found a 4 1/4 inch round disc would be just right. I also measured the distance from the top to the center of the lens and added a 3/16" spacer to correct the vertical placement of the bulb. Off to Tap Plastics to have both pieces made in opaque white (for reflection) plastic. I ordered the bulb PN: BAY6H ($42.00) from the LED Light Co at www.theledlight.com and the rest is easy. The light base for the bayonet bulb came from a local Ace Hardware at $4.95. The batteries are standard AA. The battery holders are from Radio Shack PN: 2700383 at $1.59 each. I wired the eight 1 1/2 v batteries in series to develop the 12v I wanted and lastly I added a good quality (industrial strength) Velcro to hold the battery packs in position. I had considered adding a small external switch, but after thinking about it I decided it could become a source of galvanic corrosion or even be turned on accidentally while in the cabin and not in use. I have been very pleased with both the rustic appearance of the light and the brightness of the bulb. My good old boat is small enough it may be (USCG) legal to use while sailing on inland waters.
By the way, no damage was done to make the conversion. In fact the only changes needed to light this up as an oil burner is to remove the plastic disc and light the wick. But I like it better when it doesn't smoke.
Photos and Story by your Webmaster - Bill Lamica
The first consideration was to determine how long the LED's would stay bright with batteries as a power source. I constructed a rough assembly, hooked it up, turned it on and left it alone except to check it each evening to see if it was still working. After a week of continual use, I found there was little if any dimming of the lights. The project was a go!
The author of the article suggests an anchor light from a swap meet. I bypassed that step, went direct to West Marine Jewelers and bought a new Den Haan Ankerlight. They are available in large and small. I chose the small PN:468660 at a cost (on sale) of $184.99 (2005) $339.99 (2008). A little pricey. But beauty rarely comes cheap.
I measured the opening at the top and found a 4 1/4 inch round disc would be just right. I also measured the distance from the top to the center of the lens and added a 3/16" spacer to correct the vertical placement of the bulb. Off to Tap Plastics to have both pieces made in opaque white (for reflection) plastic. I ordered the bulb PN: BAY6H ($42.00) from the LED Light Co at www.theledlight.com and the rest is easy. The light base for the bayonet bulb came from a local Ace Hardware at $4.95. The batteries are standard AA. The battery holders are from Radio Shack PN: 2700383 at $1.59 each. I wired the eight 1 1/2 v batteries in series to develop the 12v I wanted and lastly I added a good quality (industrial strength) Velcro to hold the battery packs in position. I had considered adding a small external switch, but after thinking about it I decided it could become a source of galvanic corrosion or even be turned on accidentally while in the cabin and not in use. I have been very pleased with both the rustic appearance of the light and the brightness of the bulb. My good old boat is small enough it may be (USCG) legal to use while sailing on inland waters.
By the way, no damage was done to make the conversion. In fact the only changes needed to light this up as an oil burner is to remove the plastic disc and light the wick. But I like it better when it doesn't smoke.
Photos and Story by your Webmaster - Bill Lamica
New Millennium Anchor Light
Home
The repair, modification and/or maintenance projects on this page are provided to show how one person accomplished a given task. Some projects are hazardous, dangerous and expensive and should be attempted only by professionals.. No warranty of success is included nor implied with any of these projects. The Webmaster, contributors and authors, will not accept, nor be held responsible as a result of any use of the material presented.
Click on photo to enlarge
Home
