Adding a 12V light in head
- 1-Tntimbo
- Engineer
- Posts: 133
- Joined: Sun Jul 21, 2013 9:19 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Germantown TN
Adding a 12V light in head
I found a 12V ceiling light from a 26X on eBay and was able to get it.
I would like to mount it on the ceiling in the head. Has anyone done this? I am curious if there is any wiring in the ceiling in the head area I might tap into for 12V power before I start cutting and drilling holes in the ceiling.
T
I would like to mount it on the ceiling in the head. Has anyone done this? I am curious if there is any wiring in the ceiling in the head area I might tap into for 12V power before I start cutting and drilling holes in the ceiling.
T
- Russ
- Admiral
- Posts: 7543
- Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:01 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Bozeman, Montana "Luna Azul" 2008 M 70hp Suzi
Re: Adding a 12V light in head
Does the X have a light in the head? If so there should be wires already correct?
Macgregor simply used stock fixtures. I changed all my bulbs to LEDs.
In places without wires, I use cheap battery puck lights.
Macgregor simply used stock fixtures. I changed all my bulbs to LEDs.
In places without wires, I use cheap battery puck lights.
- dlandersson
- Admiral
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- Location: Michigan City
Re: Adding a 12V light in head
C'est moi.
RussMT wrote:In places without wires, I use cheap battery puck lights.
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- First Officer
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- Location: Montgomery Alabama
Re: Adding a 12V light in head
I put a light in our head .
There isn't any wiring anywhere nearby , so I had to run a wire from the circuit breaker panel , on the port side down to the battery box , under the floor , across the stern area , and up the corner between the hull and the wall .
Being just a light , you only need a lightweight wire , I used a cable , called 'Blue Hose' . Its a cable mainly used in computer applications . I eventually plan to extend this run and mount a light on the wall facing the dinette .
There isn't any wiring anywhere nearby , so I had to run a wire from the circuit breaker panel , on the port side down to the battery box , under the floor , across the stern area , and up the corner between the hull and the wall .
Being just a light , you only need a lightweight wire , I used a cable , called 'Blue Hose' . Its a cable mainly used in computer applications . I eventually plan to extend this run and mount a light on the wall facing the dinette .
- Be Free
- Admiral
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- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Steinhatchee, FL
Re: Adding a 12V light in head
The factory did not install a light in the head in a 26x. There is one on the starboard side between the dinette and the v-berth and one on the port side between the galley and the jump seat. If you got one off eBay it would be one of these.
If you really want to mount one of these in the head it would not be hard to run a wire for it but it would be awfully bright in there. Those lights do a pretty good job of lighting up half of the cabin each.
I have a small, battery powered light mounted just inside the head. It's probably not more than a 5w incandescent running on a AA battery. It does a fine job lighting up that small area. I expect that any type of self-contained LED light mounted in there would work even better and use less power.
If you really want to mount one of these in the head it would not be hard to run a wire for it but it would be awfully bright in there. Those lights do a pretty good job of lighting up half of the cabin each.
I have a small, battery powered light mounted just inside the head. It's probably not more than a 5w incandescent running on a AA battery. It does a fine job lighting up that small area. I expect that any type of self-contained LED light mounted in there would work even better and use less power.
- Tomfoolery
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Re: Adding a 12V light in head
I too use a little LED puck light with the self-stick backing. It's more than enough, even though it seems dim when tested. In the middle of the night, it's too bright.
- yukonbob
- Admiral
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- Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2011 6:54 pm
- Sailboat: Other
- Location: Whitehorse Yukon
Re: Adding a 12V light in head
I put those pick lights all over. Where evere there's a fixed light and then some. That way we can leave the breaker off at night but still have a light if someone needs.
- Starscream
- Admiral
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- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Montreal, Quebec. 2002 26X - Suzi DF90A
Re: Adding a 12V light in head
My 2002X came with a factory light mounted in the head over the sink. Lucky I guess. I hate running wires behind the liner!!!!! But I also hate worrying about carrying spare batteries and prefer to have everything powered from the main panel. No reason for that other than I like it like that.
- Azzarac
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Re: Adding a 12V light in head
Guess I'll count myself lucky. I bought mine with a standard style light that can also be switched to a red light for night use already installed in the head.
- Russ
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Re: Adding a 12V light in head
I know this is an X, but the M comes with a big honkin fixture. Too bright in my opinion. See it on the left with new LED bulbs installed.
So I installed extra LED lighting. I've heard the comments about my sexy mood lighting in the aft berth, but this is actually functional.
--Russ
So I installed extra LED lighting. I've heard the comments about my sexy mood lighting in the aft berth, but this is actually functional.
--Russ