tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458075112175110787.post463290746375989967..comments2024-02-22T05:34:03.852-05:00Comments on The world encompassed: Light readingRhyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00598445145507204424noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458075112175110787.post-21731559751990415342011-04-14T11:50:28.680-04:002011-04-14T11:50:28.680-04:00Good techniques! The trick of switching between IN...Good techniques! The trick of switching between INTL and CAN/USA is known to me, because I've taken handhelds to Europe and elsewhere, but I haven't tried to use it in earnest.Rhyshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00598445145507204424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458075112175110787.post-60578984238511805792011-04-10T16:19:17.539-04:002011-04-10T16:19:17.539-04:00Having a pre-arranged working channel to go to is ...Having a pre-arranged working channel to go to is common. Lake Ontario has virtually no radio traffic. Down here it's quite busy. Hence the beauty of DSC. Also if you want to have a semi-private conversation with another boat just choose a channel on DSC and the system will take the station you're calling there automatically. Common cruiser's VHF hailing channels while in port are 14 or 68. 16 is reserved to those at sea. An old ham radio trick....we call on 68 and then say "go to channel 71 and up. This reduces the need to reconnect with your station on the hailing channel if your go-to is busy....you just keep going higher until a quiet channel is found. Another trick in a busy harbour is to have your calling channel on....say....61A while in USA or Canadian mode. The Europeans have their radios on international mode and cannot use 61A simplex. International mode has many many duplex channels while CAN/USA mode has more simplex.Silverheels IIInoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458075112175110787.post-70109021511911291392011-04-08T22:45:59.403-04:002011-04-08T22:45:59.403-04:00I believe that most sailors are under-disciplined ...I believe that most sailors are under-disciplined or just plain ignorant of basic safety and signalling and radio procedures...because they are very much the same here on the lake.<br /><br />DSC seems to me like heart medicine...a little bit is great, but too much will kill ya! I still need to apply for an MMSI but haven't yet felt the need until Alchemy is relaunched and I need the VHF we are going to use on the trip. I have two DSC-capable handhelds, but frankly, I just pre-arrange a working channel with Becky if we are in different boats...or sometimes I have WX on one and 16 on the other.<br /><br />Thank god for squelch.Rhyshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00598445145507204424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458075112175110787.post-38904973049704339832011-04-08T15:27:43.742-04:002011-04-08T15:27:43.742-04:00Sadly only 50% of anchored boats display any ancho...Sadly only 50% of anchored boats display any anchor light at all! Many many $250k boats have only a solar patio lamp in the cockpit or rely on the Davis light suspended in the cockpit. Not visible from all angles. Go figure their logic....<br /><br />We have a black anchor ball day marker which we use practically everywhere. Most folks do not have them. Rumour is that if you're hit by another boat your insurance coverage may be reduced if you are not displaying the ball. Some folks have motor-sailing or even fishing day marks. Something to consider in these litigious times.<br />European and Canadian vessels have MMSI's but most cruisers do not know how to use DSC. Americans have two ways to get a MMSI, Boat US which is not on the international database or thru the FCC. We educate boaters to the advantages of DSC wherever we sail. For instance....there is so much crap on VHF Ch 16 or other popular local calling channels such as 68 or 77 we keep the volume down at night but the radio will still page you audibly if a buddy boat sees a security problem or needs help during normal sleeping hours, (21:30- 07:30) Of course a DSC distress alarm will come through as well with the volumed down.Silverheels IIInoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458075112175110787.post-42313204440540680422011-04-08T11:25:42.257-04:002011-04-08T11:25:42.257-04:00I may just get a new light entirely for the masthe...I may just get a new light entirely for the masthead. I concur that leaving the anchor light on 24/7 at anchor is a good policy when it's so low a draw, because if a squall passes through the anchorage, you are still visible...does ANYBODY use dayshapes/marks anymore?<br /><br />Also concur on the steaming light...we have a perfectly good Aquasignal 25W and if we're "steaming", who cares?<br /><br />I agree that a lot of this stuff is academic until one has left, but other things in the lighting/plumbing realm are legally required, not optional. That's why we may spend Winter One in Halifax, as the 1,500 NM between there and Toronto will allow a good evaluation of what we think today are the right tools and techniques.<br /><br />PS. Becky's taking her ROC/DSC course...Whisky Tango Foxtrot!Rhyshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00598445145507204424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458075112175110787.post-68773948570119835692011-04-06T22:04:55.560-04:002011-04-06T22:04:55.560-04:00We use Dr LED at the masthead trilight and anchor ...We use Dr LED at the masthead trilight and anchor light. Not cheap but as far as we know they are the only retrofit bulbs that meet colregs as a 2 mile unit. We leave the anchor light on 24/7 unless we are on the move. Timers and photocells are superfluous when the anchor light only draws 90ma. We also have a low draw lower anchor light as most folks can't discern a masthead light close in from a speeding dinghy after a few libations. We also have three self-powered solar patio lights, one at the bow and two in the cockpit to show the length of the vessel in a pitch dark night. Keep your 10W steaming bulb as is....the engine IS on when steaming after all....<br /><br />Wait 'till you get off the dock......the debates are far ranging out here....holding tanks vs overboard discharge, battery types, solar vs wind power, reefer systems, gas generators....boxers vs briefs......Silverheels IIInoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458075112175110787.post-58307747606672366552011-04-06T12:15:15.129-04:002011-04-06T12:15:15.129-04:00I will experiment. Right now, all batteries are ou...I will experiment. Right now, all batteries are out of Alchemy so the engine bay can be painted in ceramic sound-proofing paint...yes, it's real and it works.<br /><br />But I have a few places to put LEDs on Valiente, so we'll test out examples this summer.<br /><br />Frankly, it's not the "inside" LEDs that interest me (although they do) so much as the trilight/anchor light/running light models that are likely to be on for hours when the engine isn't. That's where the lesser draw down will have dividends, not so much in the couple of hours you have the galley lights on before hitting the sack.<br /><br />Who would've thought that the biggest debates in sailing revolve around anchors and lighting?Rhyshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00598445145507204424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458075112175110787.post-84628265159106863902011-04-06T10:40:40.894-04:002011-04-06T10:40:40.894-04:00Sunny and a windy 31C here in Antigua.
In 2006 whe...Sunny and a windy 31C here in Antigua.<br />In 2006 when I first ordered the Sensibulb from sailors solutions their on-line ads showed 4 LEDs on a PC board. They delivered our first two units with 2 LEDs. Plenty bright for reading in a bi-pin halogen socketed bell-shaped reading light at a meter or more away. <br />The four Sensibulbs delivered in 2010 have only one LED but they're blindingly brilliant. <br />As I've said...we do visit lots of boats down here and their LED reading and general illumination lamps ,give a nice cozy oil lamp ambiance for dining in the saloon but I was unable to read an ICOM radio manual after dinner without taking it back to our boat.<br /><br />BTW one needs good sharp lighting at the stove if you cook every day and I hate doing dishes in poor lighting.Silverheels IIIhttp://www.sailblogs.com/member/silverheelsiii/?show=profilenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458075112175110787.post-49711076577531486782011-04-06T00:37:38.137-04:002011-04-06T00:37:38.137-04:00I would put a gooseneck over the sinks (the cuttin...I would put a gooseneck over the sinks (the cutting board I made fits over them. I would keep general area lighting for the stove, as you are correct...that can get greasy.<br /><br />Interesting to hear such a solid vote for the Sensibulb. I assume you have the older two LED models and not the newer one LED?<br /><br />Regardless, good news on the dribbly amp appetite. You could light up the saloon with a 9V battery.<br /><br />Enjoy Antigua...it's a cold, damp spring here so far.Rhyshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00598445145507204424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458075112175110787.post-35314634672221719502011-04-05T16:17:21.266-04:002011-04-05T16:17:21.266-04:00I can't see any colour temp difference from th...I can't see any colour temp difference from the 2nd -3rd generation lamp. Let those Sailnet groupies prattle on about Sensibulb colour temp and RFI...these things are so bright that upon checking just now on a sunny day here in Antigua all I see now are spots in my eyes due to the bright halogen like illumination. It consumes 20ma cold and only 16ma when warmed up.<br /><br />General task lighting is good for the galley under the counter. Our dual colour Sensibulb brightly illuminates the stove and reefer/countertop food prep area. Goosenecks will collect dirt and grease near the stove and will never be where you need it to point.Silverheels IIInoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458075112175110787.post-24848219984574859342011-04-05T12:54:50.030-04:002011-04-05T12:54:50.030-04:00Do the colour temperatures appear to be different ...Do the colour temperatures appear to be different between the 2nd and 3rd generations?<br /><br />The "food prep" light answer is still in flux for us. I like the idea of a relatively weak "area" light, under cabinet LED strips, and a strong "sink and cutting board" light on a gooseneck. The red plus white is a good idea, although I'm not really a night snacker!<br /><br />I concur on the crimping vs. solder and the Ancor heat shrink. I favour the look of the Ancor dual crimper, although apparently Harbor Freighter makes a reasonable knock off. This guy seems to have a clue (clew): <br />http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/wire_termination<br /><br />Best instructions I've seen.<br /><br />Engine is apparently at the airport and will be on the boat shortly. Weather is approaching "two-part kick" temperatures...just not today!Rhyshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00598445145507204424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458075112175110787.post-36357009784199767022011-04-05T10:43:07.352-04:002011-04-05T10:43:07.352-04:00We have the second (2007) 2-led, and third (2010) ...We have the second (2007) 2-led, and third (2010) 1- led generations of Sensibulb. No problem with any of them. we also have their dual colour dome fixture with red and white illuminators over the galley counter. Great for food prep or diving for snax on an overnight without killing one's night vision.<br /><br />Our DC and AC connections are all made with Ancor adhesive-lined heat shrink terminals. Soldering terminals with multi-strand tinned wires will stiffen the wire at the entry point, causing potential breakage when flexing during the natural vibrations in a cruising vessel. You've paid good $$ for multi-strand tinned wire. Crimp but don't solder.Silverheels IIInoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458075112175110787.post-55903795918392671232011-04-04T07:02:36.465-04:002011-04-04T07:02:36.465-04:00Sensibulb have reportedly changed something in the...Sensibulb have reportedly changed something in their manufacturing process and aren't quite as wonderful as previously noted. Imtra makes some decent lights in terms of colour temperature as well, and I concur that the extra $$ are worth it in the case of a reading light.<br /><br />So keep that "first-gen" Sensibulb...apparently it's a keeper.<br /><br />As for the bulbs from Marineledscanada.com, they'll be tested on Valiente this summer. The little one-foot strip I'm playing with lights up satisfactorily on just a 9VDC battery, so throwing a IR switch in there is pretty easy. We'll see. Toronto is not good for testing for the absence of ambient light. 300 NM south of Bermuda? That's pretty frickin' dark on a cloudy, moonless night.<br /><br />As for the batteries, I had heard this before. I already do the vaseline or "touch o' lithium grease" trick in some things like the 9VDCs I put in meters or in the ship's clock. I believe it's also in the alkaline "power pack" I can put on the oldest of my VHF handhelds. But it's a good policy to do in any case where the object is going to meet the salt air, I agree, as is taking care with crimping and soldering to "tropical grade".<br /><br />Thanks, Ken/Lynn for the comments.Rhyshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00598445145507204424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458075112175110787.post-83746132803043987492011-04-03T16:18:48.944-04:002011-04-03T16:18:48.944-04:00Good idea on the self-contained lights throughout ...Good idea on the self-contained lights throughout the boat. Remember 'tho that AAA and AA cells cost $1.50US in the Caribbean for knock off (no Duracells or Energizers) and that button cells are virtually unavailable away from North American shopping malls. We've had to smear Vaseline on both ends of every AA cell in our barometers, clocks, flashlights and handy-talkies just to keep the salt water corrosion at bay.Silverheels IIInoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6458075112175110787.post-44804392945397118992011-04-01T11:27:31.826-04:002011-04-01T11:27:31.826-04:00Don't forget Sensibulb. IMHO the most halogen ...Don't forget Sensibulb. IMHO the most halogen like light for your buck and drawing much less than 20mA. We have six of these units running for two years now and have experienced no RF interference at all. Available at Defender or direct from sailorssolutions.com<br />The others we've tried are OK if you enjoy reading in candlelight while saving amp hours. Sensibulbs deliver halogen like brilliant incandescent coloured light at a convenient distance for general or task lighting.Silverheels IIInoreply@blogger.com