solar-powered Windex light
 

As you know, I'm seriously considering changing around how I switch on my
nav lights. I was thinking about adding a light for the Windex. While not
the only or even the best method of observing wind at night, it sure is
convenient, especially if I have a lot of other distractions. I have the
ability to wire it with the standard Davis Windex light kit, but it seems
like it would save a lot of hassle to use a small solar-powered light. I'm
thinking something like what people use for garden paths, but obviously
smaller.

Seems to me you wouldn't need much of a bulb (like a low-Amp LED) or
panel/battery to make it work. I don't have to have it run all night - a few
hours would be fine.

I couldn't find anything obvious via a search... still looking though. Has
someone done this? If so, what did you use?

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

solar-powered Windex light
 

Brilliant. Just brilliant! Did you ever sail at night? There's no "Solar"
to power the light.
Do you really want the collector and the battery at the top of your mast?
You do know that you need both, don't you? Have you been dipping into the
brown acid again? Sheesh!





"Capt. JG" wrote in message
...
As you know, I'm seriously considering changing around how I switch on my
nav lights. I was thinking about adding a light for the Windex. While not
the only or even the best method of observing wind at night, it sure is
convenient, especially if I have a lot of other distractions. I have the
ability to wire it with the standard Davis Windex light kit, but it seems
like it would save a lot of hassle to use a small solar-powered light. I'm
thinking something like what people use for garden paths, but obviously
smaller.

Seems to me you wouldn't need much of a bulb (like a low-Amp LED) or
panel/battery to make it work. I don't have to have it run all night - a
few hours would be fine.

I couldn't find anything obvious via a search... still looking though. Has
someone done this? If so, what did you use?

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

solar-powered Windex light
 

"Jill M" wrote in message
...
Brilliant. Just brilliant! Did you ever sail at night? There's no
"Solar" to power the light.
Do you really want the collector and the battery at the top of your mast?
You do know that you need both, don't you? Have you been dipping into the
brown acid again? Sheesh!


Seems to me real sailors don't bother with a cheap inferior Windex which is
a joke at best. Instead real sailors use an electronic and wired wind
instrument at the masthead that has a readout in the cockpit that indicates
wind direction and wind speed. That Jon Boy is an amateur act at best.

example:
http://www.marinemegastore.com/produ...-PLA_46600.htm


Wilbur Hubbard

solar-powered Windex light
 

"Capt. JG" wrote in message
...
As you know, I'm seriously considering changing around how I switch on my
nav lights. I was thinking about adding a light for the Windex. While not
the only or even the best method of observing wind at night, it sure is
convenient, especially if I have a lot of other distractions. I have the
ability to wire it with the standard Davis Windex light kit, but it seems
like it would save a lot of hassle to use a small solar-powered light. I'm
thinking something like what people use for garden paths, but obviously
smaller.

Seems to me you wouldn't need much of a bulb (like a low-Amp LED) or
panel/battery to make it work. I don't have to have it run all night - a
few hours would be fine.

I couldn't find anything obvious via a search... still looking though. Has
someone done this? If so, what did you use?

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com




White light in the cockpit at night? That's a Bozo No-No.

I have several solar charged velcro attached red led light pods. They're
about the size of a dental floss box and can stay lit for about six hours. I
charge up 4 of them and replace them when they go dim. The solar panel,
batteries, charger and led are all built in, it is hermetic and rugged. They
cost about $12 each, I picked them up in San Diego near that shop with the
diving bell on top. I'll have to run to the boat to find the exact brand but
they are great. Also available in white. Why couldn't a gay-boy like you
find this product online:
http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|65136|739053|760439&id=988405
any stooge that can run a search engine could. Put red tape across the lens
or one of your bright red condoms from the bath house (unused of course).

solar-powered Windex light
 

On Sat, 29 Mar 2008 11:38:37 -0700, "Capt. JG"
wrote:

As you know, I'm seriously considering changing around how I switch on my
nav lights. I was thinking about adding a light for the Windex. While not
the only or even the best method of observing wind at night, it sure is
convenient, especially if I have a lot of other distractions. I have the
ability to wire it with the standard Davis Windex light kit, but it seems
like it would save a lot of hassle to use a small solar-powered light. I'm
thinking something like what people use for garden paths, but obviously
smaller.

Seems to me you wouldn't need much of a bulb (like a low-Amp LED) or
panel/battery to make it work. I don't have to have it run all night - a few
hours would be fine.

I couldn't find anything obvious via a search... still looking though. Has
someone done this? If so, what did you use?

Stick a tri-color up there. when you want to see the wind vane switch
it on. A bit of redundancy for the deck level nav lights may also be
useful.


Bruce-in-Bangkok
(correct email address for reply)

solar-powered Windex light
 

"Bruce in Bangkok" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 29 Mar 2008 11:38:37 -0700, "Capt. JG"
wrote:

As you know, I'm seriously considering changing around how I switch on my
nav lights. I was thinking about adding a light for the Windex. While not
the only or even the best method of observing wind at night, it sure is
convenient, especially if I have a lot of other distractions. I have the
ability to wire it with the standard Davis Windex light kit, but it seems
like it would save a lot of hassle to use a small solar-powered light. I'm
thinking something like what people use for garden paths, but obviously
smaller.

Seems to me you wouldn't need much of a bulb (like a low-Amp LED) or
panel/battery to make it work. I don't have to have it run all night - a
few
hours would be fine.

I couldn't find anything obvious via a search... still looking though. Has
someone done this? If so, what did you use?

Stick a tri-color up there. when you want to see the wind vane switch
it on. A bit of redundancy for the deck level nav lights may also be
useful.


Bruce-in-Bangkok
(correct email address for reply)


Yeah, I've thought of that also. I'm just trying to avoid adding more wires,
hardware, etc.


--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

solar-powered Windex light
 

"Capt. JG" wrote in message
...
"Bruce in Bangkok" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 29 Mar 2008 11:38:37 -0700, "Capt. JG"
wrote:

As you know, I'm seriously considering changing around how I switch on my
nav lights. I was thinking about adding a light for the Windex. While not
the only or even the best method of observing wind at night, it sure is
convenient, especially if I have a lot of other distractions. I have the
ability to wire it with the standard Davis Windex light kit, but it seems
like it would save a lot of hassle to use a small solar-powered light.
I'm
thinking something like what people use for garden paths, but obviously
smaller.

Seems to me you wouldn't need much of a bulb (like a low-Amp LED) or
panel/battery to make it work. I don't have to have it run all night - a
few
hours would be fine.

I couldn't find anything obvious via a search... still looking though.
Has
someone done this? If so, what did you use?

Stick a tri-color up there. when you want to see the wind vane switch
it on. A bit of redundancy for the deck level nav lights may also be
useful.


Bruce-in-Bangkok
(correct email address for reply)


Yeah, I've thought of that also. I'm just trying to avoid adding more
wires, hardware, etc.

Well, Jon, I have a suggestion. When you want to switch a light on just nip
below and use the existing switch on your panel....

solar-powered Windex light
 

On Sat, 29 Mar 2008 20:36:46 -0700, "Capt. JG"
wrote:

"Bruce in Bangkok" wrote in message
.. .
On Sat, 29 Mar 2008 11:38:37 -0700, "Capt. JG"
wrote:

As you know, I'm seriously considering changing around how I switch on my
nav lights. I was thinking about adding a light for the Windex. While not
the only or even the best method of observing wind at night, it sure is
convenient, especially if I have a lot of other distractions. I have the
ability to wire it with the standard Davis Windex light kit, but it seems
like it would save a lot of hassle to use a small solar-powered light. I'm
thinking something like what people use for garden paths, but obviously
smaller.

Seems to me you wouldn't need much of a bulb (like a low-Amp LED) or
panel/battery to make it work. I don't have to have it run all night - a
few
hours would be fine.

I couldn't find anything obvious via a search... still looking though. Has
someone done this? If so, what did you use?

Stick a tri-color up there. when you want to see the wind vane switch
it on. A bit of redundancy for the deck level nav lights may also be
useful.


Bruce-in-Bangkok
(correct email address for reply)


Yeah, I've thought of that also. I'm just trying to avoid adding more wires,
hardware, etc.

If you already have an anchor light up there you can add a tricolor
without adding wires. The tri color/anchor light combos work quite
well.




Bruce-in-Bangkok
(correct email address for reply)

solar-powered Windex light
 

"Edgar" wrote in message
...

"Capt. JG" wrote in message
...
"Bruce in Bangkok" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 29 Mar 2008 11:38:37 -0700, "Capt. JG"
wrote:

As you know, I'm seriously considering changing around how I switch on
my
nav lights. I was thinking about adding a light for the Windex. While
not
the only or even the best method of observing wind at night, it sure is
convenient, especially if I have a lot of other distractions. I have the
ability to wire it with the standard Davis Windex light kit, but it
seems
like it would save a lot of hassle to use a small solar-powered light.
I'm
thinking something like what people use for garden paths, but obviously
smaller.

Seems to me you wouldn't need much of a bulb (like a low-Amp LED) or
panel/battery to make it work. I don't have to have it run all night - a
few
hours would be fine.

I couldn't find anything obvious via a search... still looking though.
Has
someone done this? If so, what did you use?

Stick a tri-color up there. when you want to see the wind vane switch
it on. A bit of redundancy for the deck level nav lights may also be
useful.


Bruce-in-Bangkok
(correct email address for reply)


Yeah, I've thought of that also. I'm just trying to avoid adding more
wires, hardware, etc.

Well, Jon, I have a suggestion. When you want to switch a light on just
nip below and use the existing switch on your panel....



That's not going to work with the Windex light, as there is no current
electrical connection to it. Which switch do you think would do it? LOL

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

solar-powered Windex light
 

"Bruce in Bangkok" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 29 Mar 2008 20:36:46 -0700, "Capt. JG"
wrote:

"Bruce in Bangkok" wrote in message
. ..
On Sat, 29 Mar 2008 11:38:37 -0700, "Capt. JG"
wrote:

As you know, I'm seriously considering changing around how I switch on
my
nav lights. I was thinking about adding a light for the Windex. While
not
the only or even the best method of observing wind at night, it sure is
convenient, especially if I have a lot of other distractions. I have the
ability to wire it with the standard Davis Windex light kit, but it
seems
like it would save a lot of hassle to use a small solar-powered light.
I'm
thinking something like what people use for garden paths, but obviously
smaller.

Seems to me you wouldn't need much of a bulb (like a low-Amp LED) or
panel/battery to make it work. I don't have to have it run all night - a
few
hours would be fine.

I couldn't find anything obvious via a search... still looking though.
Has
someone done this? If so, what did you use?

Stick a tri-color up there. when you want to see the wind vane switch
it on. A bit of redundancy for the deck level nav lights may also be
useful.


Bruce-in-Bangkok
(correct email address for reply)


Yeah, I've thought of that also. I'm just trying to avoid adding more
wires,
hardware, etc.

If you already have an anchor light up there you can add a tricolor
without adding wires. The tri color/anchor light combos work quite
well.




Bruce-in-Bangkok
(correct email address for reply)


I'll check it out.... thanks.


--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

solar-powered Windex light
 

"Roger Long" wrote in message
...
Here's an idea for a Windex light if you don't want to run another set of
wires up your mast and haven't converted the anchor light to LED yet:

Put a rheostat in the circut to the anchor light. When sailing, dim the
light until you can just see the Windex. Turn it full up at anchor.

--
Roger Long




Interesting idea! Thanks!

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

solar-powered Windex light
 

"Roger Long" wrote in message
...
"cavelamb himself" wrote

I put a pair of white LED strips on the spreaders for night light
spreader lights. $10 as bass pro shops.


If those are bright enough pointing up to illuminate the Windex, I think
they will be bright enough reflecting from the sail to do bad things to
your night vision.

--
Roger Long




I already have a deck light... but it were a good alternate suggestion.

Can you use a rheostat with LEDs?


--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

solar-powered Windex light
 

Capt. JG wrote:
"Roger Long" wrote in message
...

Here's an idea for a Windex light if you don't want to run another set of
wires up your mast and haven't converted the anchor light to LED yet:

Put a rheostat in the circut to the anchor light. When sailing, dim the
light until you can just see the Windex. Turn it full up at anchor.

--
Roger Long





Interesting idea! Thanks!


OR?

I put a pair of white LED strips on the spreaders for night light
spreader lights. $10 as bass pro shops.

That ought to work pretty well for a Windex light as well.
AND save a bunch of trons.

Richard
--
(remove the X to email)

Now just why the HELL do I have to press 1 for English?
John Wayne

solar-powered Windex light
 

"cavelamb himself" wrote in message
...
Roger Long wrote:
No.


I don't mean to contradict Roger, but LEDs are current opperated deviced.
So a current liniting resistor in serise will reduce the light output.
But the reostat used for a light bulb won't work.
Resistance would likely be way too low.


Richard
--
(remove the X to email)

Now just why the HELL do I have to press 1 for English?
John Wayne


Can you point me to an appropriate reostat?

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

solar-powered Windex light
 

Roger Long wrote:
No.


I don't mean to contradict Roger, but LEDs are current opperated deviced.
So a current liniting resistor in serise will reduce the light output.
But the reostat used for a light bulb won't work.
Resistance would likely be way too low.


Richard
--
(remove the X to email)

Now just why the HELL do I have to press 1 for English?
John Wayne

solar-powered Windex light
 

Capt. JG wrote:

"cavelamb himself" wrote in message
...

Roger Long wrote:

No.


I don't mean to contradict Roger, but LEDs are current opperated deviced.
So a current liniting resistor in serise will reduce the light output.
But the reostat used for a light bulb won't work.
Resistance would likely be way too low.


Richard
--
(remove the X to email)

Now just why the HELL do I have to press 1 for English?
John Wayne



Can you point me to an appropriate reostat?


More like a variable resistor.

Reostats are usually wire wound for higher current - like a light bulb.

LEDs, at least the one's I'd use for this kind of thing, barely pull
10mA/diode. A single bright white LED running at 12 volts - golly,
I'd start about 200 ohms fixed resistor and see how bright the light is
at 50 feet.
???

Richard

--
(remove the X to email)

Now just why the HELL do I have to press 1 for English?
John Wayne