LED Light(s) for Ritchie Binnacle Compass

[chs1517]

While checking my binnacle compass yesterday I determined the little red
bulb was burnt out. Going against the thought of "don't fix it if it aint broken" I thought it might be an interesting small project to replace the old bulb assembly with a RED LED light or lights. The LED should last longer, use less energy, and give better/more light on the compass.

Granted I could buy the bulb for a couple of bucks but what fun would that be? And on a positive note what a great way to learn how to make your own LEDs for a fraction of the cost and better fit your lighting needs?

I removed the black plastic trim piece on the back top side of the compass that holds the bulb and carefully removed the two metal brackets and screws that hold the bulb. I cut the two wires leaving enough to crimp back on and put the pieces in a zip lock for storage in case the LED's don't work.

I purchased a single red 12v LED light you would put in your instrument pannel. The problem I found with this light is it is about 1/4" in diameter, about 1" long and the light is concentrated out the end. I needed a light that will direct its light back towards the compass. It was easy to wire and did fit in the plastic trim piece sideways. I tested the light and found it lit the compass but not as well as I would like. A second same LED might work if I put one one each end of the plastic housing?

As a side note... while I was at it I wired in a water proof disconnect in line making it easier to remove the compass and light as a unit. With the original set up you had to hang the compass off the binnacle while you are working on it or remove the light and wires...

My next project is to go to Radio Shack or nearby electronics shop and look at their LEDs. I went on line with Radio Shack and found a rectangular LED (ttp://www.radioshack.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2032298) that looks like it might work? I need to take a look at it to see if it will fit in the plastic trip piece and what direction the light points? I next went on line and found a great DIY page that gives you the info you need to make the unit (http://www.ehow.com/how_4480452_wire-led-lights.html). At the bottom of that page was a calculator to determine the resistor you need to connect in line (http://ledcalc.com/#calc).

All I have to do now is to figure out what LED will give me the red light I need and if it will fit in the plastic trim piece and then figure out how to secure the LEDs, wire, and resistor inside the unit.

Anyone out there do something like this? Got any suggestions to help me with this project?

[chs1517]

While checking my binnacle compas yesterday I determined the little red
bulb was burnt out. Going against the thought of "don't fix it if it aint broken" I thought it might be an interesting small project to replace the old bulb assembly with a RED LED light or lights. The LED should last longer, use less energy, and give better/more light on the compas.

Granted I could buy the bulb for a couple of bucks but what fun would that be? And on a positive note what a great way to learn how to make your own LEDs for a fraction of the cost and better fit your lighting needs?

I removed the black plastic trim piece on the back top side of the compas that holds the bulb and carefully removed the two metal brackets and screws that hold the bulb. I cut the two wires leaving enough to crimp back on and put the pieces in a zip lock for storage in case the LED's don't work.

I purchased a single red 12v LED light you would put in your instrument pannel. The problem I found with this light is it is about 1/4" in diameter, about 1" long and the light is concentrated out the end. I needed a light that will direct its light back towards the compass. It was easy to wire and did fit in the plastic trim piece sideways. I tested the light and found it lit the compas but not as well as I would like. A second same LED might work if I put one one each end of the plastic housing?

As a side note... while I was at it I wired in a water proof disconnect in line making it easier to remove the compas and light as a unit. With the original set up you had to hang the compass off the binnacle while you are working on it or remove the light and wires...I makes working on the pedestal a lot easier...

My next project is to go to Radio Shack or nearby electronics shop and look at their LEDs. I went on line with Radio Shack and found a rectangular LED (ttp://www.radioshack.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2032298) that looks like it might work? I need to take a look at it to see if it will fit in the plastic trip piece and what direction the light points? I next went on line and found a great DIY page that gives you the info you need to make the unit (http://www.ehow.com/how_4480452_wire-led-lights.html). At the bottom of that page was a calculator to determine the resistor you need to connect in line (http://ledcalc.com/#calc).

All I have to do now is to figure out what LED will give me the red light I need and if it will fit in the plastic trim piece and then figure out how to secure the LEDs, wire, and resistor inside the unit.

Anyone out there do something like this? Got any suggestions to help me with this project?

************************************************** ********
I think I have the project solved. While at West Marine yesterday I found a LED Dual Mount Light with three red LED's. It was about $10.00 and looked like it would be the solution to my project? The two outside red LED's point out at about 45' and the middle red LED is straight ahead. (The WM product number is #9265919)

I Dremeled the two end tabs and shaved the back of the case to fit the round campas light case. For now I secured the light with a couple of small velcro tabs. After installation I checked the lights with a 12v source to make sure the lights worked.

Now all I have to do is go to the boat and see if it all fits....more to come...chris

[deising]

Thanks for all that interesting info, Chris. We'll await the final report.

[wfahey]

Chris

I had an air bubble in my compass this past spring and sent it in to Richie for repair. When I got it back, they had replaced the original bulb and wiring with a nice little red LED light.

Good luck with yours.

[chs1517]

OK, the project is done. The light is in place and up and running. Upon returning to the boat I had to make a few more Dremel adjustments, ie: shaving the plastic case down so it fit in the plastic housing. Because I had to shave off part of the case I sealed the back, which was now open, with some silicone.

The light does the job and now and according to the manufacturer the LED's will theoretically last a lot longer than the light bulb. I did a little test with a towel over the compass. It looks like it will be much easier to read with three lights rather than one...

Would I do it again. Well, buying the little light bulb would have been a lot easier with little or no hassle...but what fun is that?