Bathroom lighting

J

Jamie 10017

Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2011
RO Number
32751
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45
I didn't want to put head lighting in the subject because some would think I was putting headlights on my boat LMAO.. Looking for some ideas on replacing the light in my head. It has a 120v 12v combination light in it now but very outdated. The boat has a gen set so I was thinking a small 12v dome light and a 110 light over the mirrior, thought ideas?? Thanks
 
You don't want to have to fire up the genset just to shave (or put on your makeup ;) ) do you?

I would use 12 volt LED lighting. In the head, using a mirror, it's important to use "warm white" LEDs. The standard white ones put out a harsh blue/white light.
 
Double light or LED One set white and one set red for night.
 
Pictures would help. As others have stated, I'd go with DC powered warm white LEDs. Unless you have an inverter. Over the mirror you might look at a strip of LEDs of some kind to full illuminate it.
 
I am doing a complete restoration so I am starting from scratch and can install anything. My problem is I havent found any LED lights that are very bright.....So I can put my makeup on...Ron LOL. Any ideas of who makes a nice 12V led light most I have seen are dim.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Jamie 10017

I am doing a complete restoration so I am starting from scratch and can install anything. My problem is I havent found any LED lights that are very bright.....So I can put my makeup on...Ron LOL. Any ideas of who makes a nice 12V led light most I have seen are dim.

Click to expand...


The brightest will be the ones with constant current drivers, not dropping resistors. If nothing else you can go to West Marine and see what they have. Around here they have them wired up to try.
 
I replaced all my G4 lights with leds two years ago what I discovered was many of my lights were wired backwards and the cheaper led bulbs are polarity sensitive I had to install many of the bulbs facing upwards which greatly reduce the light output. Thanks to this thread I finally remembered to order new leds that are ac/dc units and polarity won't be an issue. I only paid $2 per bulb for 24 led pieces. I bought 20 just to have on board. Ebay is a wonderful thing that is where I bought the last ones for about $1 each these were twice the price:)
 
quote:
Originally posted by Audrey II

I replaced all my G4 lights with leds two years ago what I discovered was many of my lights were wired backwards and the cheaper led bulbs are polarity sensitive I had to install many of the bulbs facing upwards which greatly reduce the light output. ..............
Click to expand...

You could have reversed the wires at the fixture. That's what I did on my previous boat.
 
I just replaced the lights in my head. I used all 12vdc led lights. In one of the fixtures I hid a single, red led in the fixture wired to bypass the switch. It stays on all the time and makes enough light for a middle of the night bathroom trip without turning on the white lights and ruining my night vision.
 
Just finished a complete remodel. Check out Lowes 2" wide track lighting, Cut to any length.
Comes in 3 different colors. Mini can lights with very bright LED bulbs. Bulbs about $15.00 each. Wife loves the bright lights. Maputo (Model) makes the 12 volt LED, double white.

Ron
 
I used 2 of these in my head. I bought the red/ white option. The fixture has a 3 position switch on it.
I have been using these for 3 seasons and so far no problems. Here is the WM link to the fixture.
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_11151_10001_949758_-1?ci_src="14110944&ci_sku=949758
 
quote:
Originally posted by rawidman

quote:
Originally posted by Audrey II

I replaced all my G4 lights with leds two years ago what I discovered was many of my lights were wired backwards and the cheaper led bulbs are polarity sensitive I had to install many of the bulbs facing upwards which greatly reduce the light output. ..............
Click to expand...

You could have reversed the wires at the fixture. That's what I did on my previous boat.

Click to expand...


Yes I know this I just never got around to it and frankly I was a little afraid That I might brake one of the lights and then I would be replacing all of them at the price of the bulbs I just as soon just swap them out much easier.
 
The 120 volt light fixture comes down to the 2" x 4" electrical box that the fixture has to mount to. Yery few light fixtures can be modified to fit.

Ron
 
quote:
Originally posted by Audrey II

quote:
Originally posted by rawidman

quote:
Originally posted by Audrey II

I replaced all my G4 lights with leds two years ago what I discovered was many of my lights were wired backwards and the cheaper led bulbs are polarity sensitive I had to install many of the bulbs facing upwards which greatly reduce the light output. ..............
Click to expand...

You could have reversed the wires at the fixture. That's what I did on my previous boat.

Click to expand...


Yes I know this I just never got around to it and frankly I was a little afraid That I might brake one of the lights and then I would be replacing all of them at the price of the bulbs I just as soon just swap them out much easier.

Click to expand...

Dave the G4 socket or fixtures are really easy to reverse polarity if needed. You won't break anything.
Bill
 
quote:
Originally posted by DUSTCUTTER

The 120 volt light fixture comes down to the 2" x 4" electrical box that the fixture has to mount to. Yery few light fixtures can be modified to fit.

Ron

Click to expand...


Use a piece of starboard or wood to make a plate to fit the box, then mount your new fixture to the plate you made.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

quote:
Originally posted by Audrey II

quote:
Originally posted by rawidman

quote:
Originally posted by Audrey II

I replaced all my G4 lights with leds two years ago what I discovered was many of my lights were wired backwards and the cheaper led bulbs are polarity sensitive I had to install many of the bulbs facing upwards which greatly reduce the light output. ..............
Click to expand...

You could have reversed the wires at the fixture. That's what I did on my previous boat.

Click to expand...

Bill I'm sure I could but for $40 why bother! My headliner is perfect I did want to risk it.

Yes I know this I just never got around to it and frankly I was a little afraid That I might brake one of the lights and then I would be replacing all of them at the price of the bulbs I just as soon just swap them out much easier.

Click to expand...

Dave the G4 socket or fixtures are really easy to reverse polarity if needed. You won't break anything.
Bill

Click to expand...
 
I prefer not to have any 110VAC lighting in my head. If I did I would make sure it was behind a GFI outlet/ power. Especially if the fixture's case was metal.
Bill
 
Got my new LED bulbs today I had forgotten that I ordered them. I bought 20 I should be good for a while. I'm hoping these will be a little brighter then the current upside down ones:)

newLEDbulbs_zps00b712a2.jpg
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