Gary wrote:
The switch panel at the helm of my boat is very well laid out and marked,
but for whatever reason, is not lit. While running at night, it's not
possible to see which switch is which without turning on an overhead light
or using a flashlight.

I'm a pilot and know that on the instrument panels of many airplanes, there
are small "post lights". These lights illuminate the instruments if they
are not back lit. They have a small hood on them so they don't shine in
your face, but on the panel instead. Something like this would be a perfect
solution to my problem...just drill a small hole and mount the light and
wire it up, however, I doubt seriously that they are water proof.

I just spent several minutes searching the web for something similar to this
for marine use, and came up empty handed.

Does anyone know of a source for these, or perhaps a better solution to the
problem?

Thanks!

Gary


I have an old aircraft cockpit light in my old cargo van. It
illuminates the heater controls, doghouse deck, radio and the
ashtray. It is dimmable, steerable, focusable, and has a filter for
red or white light. It was durable enough to serve in an aircraft
for ten years, and then in several trucks for another ten, after I
repaired it grom scrap. It has never even needed a light bulb
except the 12 V replacement for it's original 24 v lamp. I will take
it to my next old cargo van.

Today, I would get an LED and make a focus tube to illuminate only
desired areas.