Battery Powered Anchor Light

[boater1949]

I have a small boat that I do not want to equip with a 12v system. I have two D-cell powered running lights that I recharge with a solar charger. I'm looking for a battery powered anchor light. I haven't seen anything suitable in my internet searches.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

Ron

[WHYankee]

I guess this must hinge on what you find "suitable" as they are not difficult to find via Google.

http://www.foreandaftmarine.com/ANCHORlight.htm for battery electric. I used a Guest for decades, $5 yard sale.

Phillip

[Thorne]

Another option is to repurpose a marine LED light, just hang it upside down from the mast or whatever -


http://www.duckworksbbs.com/hardware...211x/index.htm

LED's are highly directional so are not as good as older style anchor lights, but last longer (both batteries and bulbs) and are cheaper.

[Jamie Orr]

Another option is to repurpose a marine LED light, just hang it upside down from the mast or whatever -


http://www.duckworksbbs.com/hardware...211x/index.htm

LED's are highly directional so are not as good as older style anchor lights, but last longer (both batteries and bulbs) and are cheaper.

Second that - I use one of these, the light is bright and the batteries last and last.

Jamie

[Jamie Orr]

Should maybe have added that I use the one in the middle, on its stick. I run it up the flag halyard to the top of the mast where it sticks up above everything.

Jamie

[AJZimm]

Another option is to repurpose a marine LED light, just hang it upside down from the mast or whatever -


.

Don't hang one of these upside down as they are not completely waterproof in that position. Don't ask me how I know this . . .

[yzer]

I've used them but don't like those suction cup attached nav lights for inflatable boats. They work, but they are just flashlights and white all-round incandescent versions I've used will not make it all the way through a summer night before the batteries fail.

Jamie is on to a good answer.

I have a Davis MegaLight equipped with a MarineBeam LED replacement cluster hardwired as an auxiliary anchor light on my boat. It's clamped on top of the cockpit canvas frame.


You can now purchase the MegaLight complete with the MarineBeam cluster.


This is a 12VDC anchor light. With the high quality fresnel lens the white 360-degree light is easiliy visible for the required 2nm with either LED cluster option.
http://store.marinebeam.com/utanliwiduto.html

I know you don't want a marine 12VDC system, you don't need one. This 12VDC sealed battery is rechargeable and measures 3.5 x 2.7 x 3.9 inches. The 5 amp/hr capacity will go a long way with the low-draw LED MegaLight.
http://www.batteriesasap.com/12v4ah5...FQI8gwodv04qAQ

You have lots of options available for a 12VDC power supply. You could probably make a 8 AA cell non-rechargeable power pack, or a rechargeable 10 cell NiCad AA power pack.

[Bill Perkins]

I think oil burning lights are still a good choice for an all night burn . I've got a really nice little brass light with a Fresnel lens that I attach with a rolling hitch to the head stay . It's been proven wind proof . We used a lesser quality lamp on my father's boat when I was growing up,which also worked perfectly .To me this still makes sense on sailboats for the anchor light . The fact that your boat is instantly recognizable in a crowded anchorage is just an added plus .

[gilberj]

Most of the common light sockets found on boats have LED light fixtures that fit. I am waiting for an opportunity to replace both the lights on the top of the mast with LED fixtures.....

[yzer]

I have a white all-round 360 range light on a short mast that is original to my boat. The bulb in that 1955 Chris-Craft lamp is nothing less than a standard automotive brake light bulb. It is extremely bright and sucks up the amps, too many amps to make it a very useful anchor light on a boat that relies on solar charging.

After a lot of pondering at anchor over a few good ales I decided to keep the original range light/anchor light intact. I didn't replace that bulb with an LED cluster. Instead, I installed the auxiliary anchor light described above. I have a push-pull switch at the helm station that allows me to choose either anchor light. Although the LED is very bright indeed and easily visible for 2nm I want the old light available if I anchor in heavy fog. In that situation or when there are so many lights onshore that another boater may have difficulty telling the difference between an anchor light or a street light, I want all of the white light I can get.

I've anchored out for many nights with the new MarineBeam LED cluster over the last couple of years. In actual practice I have used the old white masthead light only while running. I have always used the LED anchor light so far. I like the dusk/dawn auto switch on the MegaLight. I pull the switch on at the beginning of a six-day trip and leave it on until I get back to the slip. The MegaLight turns on and off by itself.

[w88k]

http://i1057.photobucket.com/albums/...theadLight.jpg
Just for fun... I needed a Masthead/Anchor light for the little boat when left on the hook for more than a day or two. I looked around and found a couple of solar types at a good price but just had to try the one-off "just for fun". Works so well I thought I would pass it along.

[rbgarr]

Didn't Raw Faith have solar garden lights on the bulwarks?

[Ian McColgin]

The solar charging night running garden lights work just great for this.

[gilberj]

Whimbrel is moored out. I have a garden light in the rigging, but the truth is it is really not up to the job. It is dim, not easily seen from any distance or with interference from other lights. I am looking at brighter options. A larger solar charger and dedicated battery might be the solution.
When cruising I use a Kero lamp.

[jclays]

I have a small boat that I do not want to equip with a 12v system. I have two D-cell powered running lights that I recharge with a solar charger. I'm looking for a battery powered anchor light. I haven't seen anything suitable in my internet searches.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

Ron

I run up an LED lantern that I bought from West Marine. 4 D cell battries. Lasts a long time. very bright.