photocell for masthead tri-anchor worthwhile?

[catamount]

I am going to be installing a new masthead tri-anchor light. Is a photocell to turn the light off automatically when the sun comes up worthwhile?

Thanks,

[dasein668]

It depends on how attentive to things like turning off your anchor light you are. Or if you like to sleep in late in the morning. Then it can help save your batteries a bit, especially if you aren't using an LED based light.

I like having one.

[Tim]

I sure like mine. I turn the switch on sometime in the early evening, knowing that the light will come on by itself, and then am happy to know that it turns off at first light in the morning too. I just like never worrying about it.

Right or wrong, I use the masthead (anchor) light just about evern night while cruising, even in so-called "special anchorages" where it is not necessary. I just like it.

[Rachel]

I agree with the above posts -- nice not to worry about turning it on in the evening (or forgetting to) and for sleeping-in mornings.

I also liked it for times when I was going ashore in the afternoon and *thought* I would get back before dark, but didn't know for sure (or wildly underestimated my shore time). Really great to be able to keep on doing whatever it was I went ashore for and know that the anchor light would be twinkling away when I got back. I, too, always use an anchor light when I'm anchored at night.

(On a side note, I've looked *everywhere* for an inflatable anchor ball, but have only found the ones that are made of flat panels, which to me look too much like radar reflectors.)

I would hope that the masthead photocells are more reliable than the ones I've used, which were both the Davis Mini-Megas. I really like the lights but have gone through three of the photocells. Finally, when the third one went, I just gave up and used it as a regular light - just on whenever it was plugged in (cigarette lighter-type connection). Luckily it doesn't draw very much power. But a reliable photocell would be fabulous (and maybe I just got unlucky on the Davis lights).

[Tim]

I also liked it for times when I was going ashore in the afternoon and *thought* I would get back before dark, but didn't know for sure (or wildly underestimated my shore time). Really great to be able to keep on doing whatever it was I went ashore for and know that the anchor light would be twinkling away when I got back.

Agreed--this is perhaps one of the nicest features of the automatic light, and one that I forgot to mention.

I would hope that the masthead photocells are more reliable than the ones I've used, which were both the Davis Mini-Megas. I really like the lights but have gone through three of the photocells.

I'm on four seasons and counting with no problems. Mine is the permanent masthead mount rather than the portable version, though I don't know how that might make a difference. Of course, the mast is only stepped half the year, but the light lives outdoors even when the mast is unstepped. Either you were unlucky, or I've been lucky--not sure which!

[George ( C&C 40 )]

Hi All,


I've had great luck with my Deep Creek "Mark III" anchor light replacement bulb. The thing is wildly bright and draws around 80 miliamps. The photocell has worked flawlessly for years now. Priced around $150. Pricey, but zero maintenance, low current draw, and flawless operation.

Here's some info from their website...

"The Mark III employs a new infrared light-sensing phototransistor to turn the unit on at dusk and off again at dawn for unattended operation. (Note that any failure of the phototransistor will NOT disable the light.it just won't be "automatic" any more.)

The LEDs have a life expectancy of over 100,000 hours and Deep Creek warrants the FirstStar Mark III for 5 years of normal use. The FirstStar Mark III also has over-voltage and surge protection at "bulletproof" levels and is fully RFI suppressed so that the Mark III produces no radio noise.even with the most sensitive SSB rigs."


George Jones

C&C 40 "Delphinus"
WL 24 "Poco Loco"