After reading ppls posts concerning mast top anchor lights, I have
decided that they are nearly useless so I will not bother to fix mine.
Instead, I want a light with super-bright LEDs that emits only
outward (I dont want it to put light on the deck). I dont want an
electrical connection to my boat so it should have batteries. Since
an extended cruise would require many d-cells or many 6 V batteries,
it should have rechargeable NiCd or gelcell batteries to be recharged
from the boats 12V system during the day. It should have a state of
charge indicator. Of course, it should be BRIGHT when seen from any
reasonable distance, be waterproof, shock resistant, etc. I expect to
mount it on a halyard suspended in the foretriangle. I do not see
such a light anywhere. So, making one shouldnt be too difficult, as
the electronics are easy. Would other ppl be interested in such a
light?

Parallax wrote:

After reading ppls posts concerning mast top anchor lights, I have
decided that they are nearly useless so I will not bother to fix mine.
Instead, I want a light with super-bright LEDs that emits only
outward (I dont want it to put light on the deck). I dont want an
electrical connection to my boat so it should have batteries. Since
an extended cruise would require many d-cells or many 6 V batteries,
it should have rechargeable NiCd or gelcell batteries to be recharged
from the boats 12V system during the day. It should have a state of
charge indicator. Of course, it should be BRIGHT when seen from any
reasonable distance, be waterproof, shock resistant, etc. I expect to
mount it on a halyard suspended in the foretriangle. I do not see
such a light anywhere. So, making one shouldnt be too difficult, as
the electronics are easy. Would other ppl be interested in such a
light?


Why not go off of the 12v? You already have one or two BIG rechargeables
in a locker somewhere, directly connected to your charging system.

To make consumption even lower, add a photoelectric cell to turn it off
at first light.

And having used Nicad and rechargeable alkaline, I only buy NiMH these
days. Energy density is awesome and they are supposed to last many, many
cycles.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

See: http://sealite.com.au/product_page.php?prod_code=SL-05

"Parallax" wrote in message
om...
After reading ppls posts concerning mast top anchor lights, I have
decided that they are nearly useless so I will not bother to fix mine.
Instead, I want a light with super-bright LEDs that emits only
outward (I dont want it to put light on the deck). I dont want an
electrical connection to my boat so it should have batteries. Since
an extended cruise would require many d-cells or many 6 V batteries,
it should have rechargeable NiCd or gelcell batteries to be recharged
from the boats 12V system during the day. It should have a state of
charge indicator. Of course, it should be BRIGHT when seen from any
reasonable distance, be waterproof, shock resistant, etc. I expect to
mount it on a halyard suspended in the foretriangle. I do not see
such a light anywhere. So, making one shouldnt be too difficult, as
the electronics are easy. Would other ppl be interested in such a
light?

"Keith" wrote in message ...
See: http://sealite.com.au/product_page.php?prod_code=SL-05

"Parallax" wrote in message
om...
After reading ppls posts concerning mast top anchor lights, I have
decided that they are nearly useless so I will not bother to fix mine.
Instead, I want a light with super-bright LEDs that emits only
outward (I dont want it to put light on the deck). I dont want an
electrical connection to my boat so it should have batteries. Since
an extended cruise would require many d-cells or many 6 V batteries,
it should have rechargeable NiCd or gelcell batteries to be recharged
from the boats 12V system during the day. It should have a state of
charge indicator. Of course, it should be BRIGHT when seen from any
reasonable distance, be waterproof, shock resistant, etc. I expect to
mount it on a halyard suspended in the foretriangle. I do not see
such a light anywhere. So, making one shouldnt be too difficult, as
the electronics are easy. Would other ppl be interested in such a
light?

Je

Yes, he photocell is a very good idea and easy to implement. As far
as connecting to your boat 12V supply, I really want to get away from
using a dangling wire connection like that. I tried that once and it
was a pain. Maybe it could be done in an easier way though.