Non Electric Lights. Well sort off.

[Bluenose]

So I have decided to maintain most of the simplicity in my next boat that I have in my current boat, no engine and no built in electronics. But the whole idea of getting a larger boat is to do more and for me that means boat camping / weekending in the San Juan Islands. I don't envision every having to move my boat at night so I am not worried about navigation lights. So what I am really looking for are cabin lights and an anchor light. I have been quite prepared to go the oil lamp approach for both the anchor and an interior light or two. Something like this for the interior.

Weems & Plath Yacht Lamps represent the culmination of more than a century of practical use and development.
Crafted of solid cast and tooled brass, with original finish or chrome plated, this solid brass high quality lamp will enhance the decor at sea or on land.

* Stand alone on a table top, hanging gimbaled, or hung from a wall bracket
* Oil container capacity: 2 oz.
* Burn time: +/- 12 hours with clean burning Weems & Plath? lamp fuel

And the matching anchor lamp.

Lacquered and polished. Use lamp oil or kerosene. 10 Oz. Oil capacity, burn time about 40 hours large/30 hours small.

I admit that I do have some reluctance in carrying another type of fuel so I have been searching for some alternatives and I came across these solar powered lights. They seem quite interesting for using as the anchor light. They don't give them away but then again they don't give away the oil lamps either.

Model 501
Up to 1 nautical mile (1.8km)



The Model 501 is a multipurpose solar-powered marine light suitable for virtually any low intensity navigation or hazard-marking requirement.

What sets the 501 apart from any other light is its unique encapsulated design. The unit is completely waterproof, vibration proof and vandal resistant. It is designed for autonomous operation without any maintenance (i.e. bulb or battery replacement) for up to 5 years.

The 501 is available in red, green, amber, white and blue LED output colors using a clear lens. For daytime indication, colored lenses are available on request.

APPLICATIONS

* Mooring buoys
* Research buoys
* Dredging lines
* Oil containment booms
* Aquaculture farm perimeters
* Private and commercial docks, swim rafts, etc.
* Breakwaters and channel markers

BENEFITS

* Quick, non-technical installation.
* Low capital cost.
* Pays for itself within the first year of operation in the form of reduced installation, maintenance and servicing costs.
* Reliable operation 365 days per year.
* Operates at nearly any location on earth.

FEATURES

* Uses Carmanah's proprietary MicroSource? solar LED lighting technologies.
* Completely integrated, self-contained, waterproof and compact.
* Polymer encapsulated design and solid-state electronics make the 501 extremely durable and vandal resistant.
* Installs in minutes using three screws or bolts. No external wiring, cable trenching, etc.
* Turns on automatically at dusk and off at dawn.
* Uses LEDs (light emitting diodes) with approximately 100,000 hour lifespan. No bulbs to replace... ever.
* Available in red, green, amber, white and blue LED output colors - allowing for virtually any marine lighting applications.
* If required for color indication when off, the 501 can also be ordered with red, amber or blue lenses.
* Can produce one of seven IALA standard flash patterns (including steady on)
* Intelligent electronics ensure the batteries will last up to five years without maintenance or servicing.
* Manufactured under ISO 9001:2000 Quality Assurance System.
* Three-year warranty.

Model 601
Up to 2 nautical miles (3.6km)




The Model 601 is a multipurpose solar-powered marine light suitable for virtually any navigation or hazard-marking requirement up to 2 nautical miles in range.

To-date, more than 40,000 units have been used around the world for all types of industrial/commercial applications.

Using an array of ultra bright LEDs (light emitting diodes), the 601 can produce light output in five colors that meet the international chromaticity requirements for green, red, amber, white and blue. It can also produce all IALA standard flash patterns and custom patterns can be special ordered.

The 601 charges during the day, even under cloudy conditions, and turns on automatically at night. It also features sophisticated microprocessor intelligence that enables advanced light output control and battery power management, as well as precisely controlled flash rates.

APPLICATIONS

* Small safety / hazard marking buoys
* Low range navigation buoys
* Research buoys
* Private aids to navigation
* Port and marina entrances
* Channel and canal markers
* Offshore oil & gas infrastructure
* Oil containment booms
* Public piers, docks and marine walkways
* Boat and barge terminals
* Breakwaters and all types of marine infrastructure

BENEFITS

* Quick, non-technical installation.
* Minimal capital cost.
* Pays for itself within the first year of operation in the form of reduced installation, maintenance and servicing costs.
* Reliable operation 365 days per year.
* Operates at nearly any location on earth.

FEATURES

* Uses Carmanah's proprietary MicroSource? solar LED lighting technologies.
* Completely integrated, self-contained, waterproof and compact.
* Polymer encapsulated design and solid-state electronics make the 601 extremely durable and vandal resistant.
* Installs in minutes using three screws or bolts. No external wiring, cable trenching, etc.
* Turn on automatically at dusk and off at dawn.
* Uses LEDs (light emitting diodes) with approximately 100,000 hour lifespan. No bulbs to replace... ever.
* Available in blue, red, amber, white and green LED output colors - allowing for virtually any marine lighting applications.
* If required for color indication when off, the 601 can also be ordered with blue, red or amber lenses.
* Can produce any flash pattern required (including steady on)
* An optional infrared programmer is available to change flash pattern, change intensity level, activate/deactivate the unit and check battery level for current capacity.
* Intelligent electronics ensure the batteries will last up to five years without maintenance or servicing.
* Manufactured under ISO 9001:2000 Quality Assurance System.
* Three-year warranty.

So does anyone out there have any experience with going in either of these directions? Or even better, am I missing some other option?

Bill
Lopez Island, WA

[Rachel]

I spent quite a bit of time on a boat that had those Weems and Plath cabin lamps, and I found them to be totally unsuitable for anything more than background lighting. I believe I had the wicks trimmed correctly, but I'm no expert at that, so there's always the chance that that was my problem.

We used a large trawler lamp (which came with the boat, as did the above lamps) for reading (the large Den Haan model), and it worked pretty well.

I got this image of the Den Haan lamp from the listing in Lehman's catalog - it's geared towards Amish customers and is a good source for all kinds of "old fashioned" practical items.



Page in their catalog:

http://www.lehmans.com/jump.jsp?itemTyp ... temID=6262

I always wanted to compare the trawler lamp to a wall-mounted lamp with a wide, flat wick, but never had a chance to.

Rachel

PS Where did you find those solar lamps? Interesting.

[A30_John]

I have a Weems and Plath lamp similar to the first one in your list. Mine is in gimbals rather than hanging on a hook. The lamp provides nice ambient light in the evenings, and can be used as an anchor lamp if needed. My usual anchor light is a Davis mega light which I hang in the foretriangle. I've had it for five years and like it. The power draw is very low, and it shuts off automatically when the sun comes up.

Like you, I don't plan to go anywhere at night, but I felt it's a good idea to have navigation lights just in case I have to unexpectedly move my boat at night or I get in a little late some evening. Until I get my boat rewired with permanent lights installed, I have a set of Aqua Signal lights ready to clamp on to the pulpit and pushpit for that purpose.

http://www.shipstore.com/SS/HTML/ASL/ASL231007.html

Hope this helps.

[FloatingMoneyPit]

I'll second Rachel's Weems & Plath comment. The Yacht Lamp sure looks neat, but it's worthless as a light source. Good enough for faint romantic lighting, but that's about it. You'll go blind if you use it for reading.
If you do get one, be sure to keep up on polishing it. Mine started to tarnish a little bit within a few months.

[A30_John]

If you want a non-electrical light that's suitable for reading, you might consider a pressurized kerosene lamp. The downside is they produce a lot of heat. The non-pressurized oil lamps are best used to find your way around the cabin at night. For that purpose, I leave mine faintly glowing all night and like it.

[Bluenose]

Wow, you all are fast. Thanks for the replies. That scratching sound is me crossing the Weems and Path of the list.

Like you, I don't plan to go anywhere at night, but I felt it's a good idea to have navigation lights just in case I have to unexpectedly move my boat at night or I get in a little late some evening. Until I get my boat rewired with permanent lights installed, I have a set of Aqua Signal lights ready to clamp on to the pulpit and pushpit for that purpose.

Good point. Without an engine I would only be moving my boat at night under sail or oar power. Usually the wind calms at night here but... So is the type of light you are talking about?



I have stumbled across these as well. How do you like them? From the description in the catalog they could be a pretty complete solution for the boat without an electrical system. I have read some mixed reviews on these.

I got this image of the Den Haan lamp from the listing in Lehman's catalog - it's geared towards Amish customers and is a good source for all kinds of "old fashioned" practical items.

I completely forgot the Lehman's catalog and it has always been one of my favs. Thanks

[Hirilondë]

I have a paraffin lamp just like the one you show but without the "Weems and Plath" logo on it. It cost $35 on ebay instead of the $120 for one with the logo. You will find similar models identified as "miners lamps" as well as nautical ones. My bet is that some company manufactures the same lamp for numerous outlets and adds logos when requested to. Anything Weems and Plath sells for at least twice its value. I like mine for the ambiance, but as others have said it is useless for reading by.

I don't know what length boat you are considering, but I believe the cut off for not requiring running lights is about 23 feet.

[steve]

THE ACE HARDWARE STORE HERE HAS SMALL 3" BATTERY STICK-ON LED LIGHTS, 3 BULBS. I HAVE ONE IN THE VEE BERTH AND I CAN READ BY IT; BUT I MAY GET A SECOND ONE, AND ANOTHER OVER THE GALLEY. EACH USES 3 AAA BATTERIES, PROBABLY LAST MORE THAN A SEASON. CK EM OUT

[Tim]

That's a good point: don't overlook dry cell-powered portable lights for your reading needs. Of course, you'll need to carry spare batteries, but these sorts of things might be just the ticket for specific task lighting, particularly reading. There are lots of battery powered options available from camping stores, among others.