Reading lamp bulb
Brian Godfrey
Jan 4, 2025, 10:52:56 PM (12 days ago)
to Nonsuch Owners Email Group
I’ve got some brass reading lamps like the one in the photo. I need to replace the bulb in one, but the bulb that I removed has no numbers on it, nor do any of the working bulbs that I checked. Since it is an enclosed fixture (glass in front of the bulb) and watts equals heat, I would like to replace it with the correct wattage bulb. Does anyone know what that might be?
I tried to find a similar light online, but all seem to either be open-faced (better heat dissipation) or LED. I’d be perfectly happy with LED if I could get a 2700K one with the right brightness.
Thanks,
Brian Godfrey
Vela, NS33 #77, San Diego
– Brian Godfrey
20250104_194216.jpg
Aloki / Oyster Bay NY
Jan 5, 2025, 8:42:00 AM (12 days ago)
Has a large selection of LED lamps in a variety of bases and color warmth. Identifying the base connection is your first chore.
Best , Gary
Rob Cohen “Soave” NS33 Westport, CT
Jan 5, 2025, 11:01:54 AM (12 days ago)
Brian,
If you found one that fits, publish the part number. you lamp looks identical to the one in Soave’s forward cabin.
Rob Cohen
s/v SOAVE
NS33 #009
Westport, CT
Thor Powell
Jan 5, 2025, 5:15:06 PM (11 days ago)
Replaced all mine with
Very happy with the result.
Aloki / Oyster Bay NY
Jan 5, 2025, 5:48:29 PM (11 days ago)
Rob & Brian, can you remove the lamp and photograph the base?
Brian Godfrey
Jan 5, 2025, 9:14:40 PM (11 days ago)
Oh for crying out loud. I wish I’d asked earlier. I don’t really want to replace my brass reading lights except that there’s one place this would have been handy. I have one lamp that’s turning green (excuse me, verdi gris) and it is right where I just installed a USB charging port a few weeks ago. See attached photo…
I think I’ve found the answer to my question. It appears that my lights use G4 bulbs. I can get 10 LED replacements for under 20 bucks, but figuring out how bright I want them will be an adventure.
Brian Godfrey
Vela, NS33, San Diego
– Brian Godfrey
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Bob Neches (Me Gusta, Nonsuch 26U #233)
Jan 5, 2025, 11:59:47 PM (11 days ago)
I’ve found a good source of conversions from incandescent to equivalent LED bulbs at LED Replacement Bulbs for Your Boat | Simple LED Conversions
My N26U manual lists all the bulb types in the section on electrical. The originals were mostly AquaSignal festoon bulbs in the nav lights and 1142 double bayonette in the dome and reading lights. My guess is that’s true across all the models.
– Bob
Me Gusta
Nonsuch e26U #233
Marina del Rey, California
Brian Godfrey
Jan 6, 2025, 2:24:31 AM (11 days ago)
…all except mine. The manual I’ve got even lists those bulbs, but the actual fixtures don’t take festoon type bulbs. That’s why I asked. Mine take bulbs with 2 pins. After posting I also kept looking and finally figured out that they are G4 halogen bulbs. Or I’m pretty sure, anyway. And the fixtures do have lots of ventilation, which would be required with halogen bulbs. I think I’ll buy the brightest 2700K LED replacements with high star ratings that I can find and hope I’m right. They aren’t very expensive in packs of 8 or 10.
Ooh, I just looked at that link. It’s nice to buy from an outfit that explains how to choose. Thanks!
Brian Godfrey
– Brian Godfrey
Thor Powell
Jan 6, 2025, 9:52:38 AM (11 days ago)
When you go the LED route be careful of very cheap bulbs. They often have only 12V ratings and will burn out quickly as our boat voltages run as high as 14.5 V. The better ones are 11 to 18 V.
Rob Cohen “Soave” NS33 Westport, CT
Jan 6, 2025, 12:52:14 PM (11 days ago)
Power management on a sailboat is getting interesting. Is life of the bulb our primary concern ? Is minimizing the amount of power used our goal ? Of course we want both… but what is the “best” compromise ? Spend an extra couple bucks per bulb ? Or might it be smarter to regulate the voltage on our 12v cabin circuits ?
The question might boil down to these and possibly more considerations:
- Price difference between finely tuned lights ( cheap ) and ones setup to operate in a wider voltage range.
- Power consumption difference between finely tuned lights ( cheap ) and ones setup to operate in a wider voltage range when run at nominal 12V.
- Price and power consumed by a DC-DC regulator.
- Benefits of consistent voltage supplied to other appliances.
( HERE ) is a decent description of the math behind LED lighting in DC circuits. The gist is, LED lights ( the diode part ) operate at a very specific voltage and consume very little power. Higher voltage doesn’t result in more light once they are lit, the extra voltage results in more current… which we know produces heat. Heat is what shortens lifespan. Resistors are used to provide constant resistance to regulate current within reasonable ranges.
I don’t know the answer to ( Should I regulate the voltage of my 12V circuits ? ), but I’m pretty sure there are some smart folks in this group that do.
Rob Cohen
s/v SOAVE
NS33 #009
Westport, CT
Mike BIANKA
Jan 6, 2025, 3:55:56 PM (10 days ago)
Another issue with LED bulbs is that those who still rely on the iron pig aka diesel engine with an attached alternator . The alternator can cause voltage spikes on the 12 house voltage wire which can cause failures in some cheaper LED bulbs.
Mike
BIANKA
1986 30U
Long Island
Mark Powers La Reina 26C Vancouver, B.C.
Jan 6, 2025, 10:07:05 PM (10 days ago)
Brian, an ongoing issue for you will be your boat was not finished by the factory so there is a good chance no one else will have exactly the same fittings etc. We all face the issue that a prior owner made have changes something. The interior reading lights seem to be an item that owners change. Many off the boats were finished with white plastic tube shaped shades for the reading lamps. These yellowed and became brittle as they aged. It was/is simpler and often cheaper to change the entire unit then to find and fit a replacement plastic shade.
Mark Powers
Brian M. Godfrey
Jan 7, 2025, 12:18:55 AM (10 days ago)
Yes, you are correct. But I often don’t know which things were finished out differently until I ask and start getting answers that don’t match what’s in front of me. Even at that, I’ve learned useful things from the answers I got to this question.
I’m actually happy with my lights, both how they look and how they light. Well, a couple of them need some Brasso, but I have higher priorities. I’ll probably try an LED. If it works well, then I’ll gradually phase them into all of the fixtures. But if that becomes its own problem, then I’ll just find another G4 halogen for the one that burnt out.
–Brian M. Godfrey
Vela, NS33, San Diego
br…@wildbirdshop.com
Thor Powell
unread,
Jan 7, 2025, 11:57:14 AM (10 days ago)
These brass fitting as coated in lacquer that will need to be removed to polish them then reapplied…
Brian M. Godfrey
Jan 7, 2025, 1:32:34 PM (10 days ago)
Yeah, I suppose you’re right. Priority just got lower. 
–Brian M. Godfrey