Bella,
OGM Masthead lights are great.
The other contributors on the subject of LED masthead lights are
correct.
I see two main advantages (my bias: I have put OGM Masthead Combination
Tri-Color and Anchor lights on my last two boats):
(1) The OGM Masthead combo has the ability to change a 2-wire Anchor
light into the best Tri-Color masthead, AND a separate Anchor light,
second
(2) The OGM Masthead is both more economical than traditional masthead
lights and much safer for the boat that does not have one yet.
Point 1 - the ability to change a traditional 2-wire anchor light
into a combo
TriColor masthead light , is done with using the two wires now in place
for the anchor light. Traditional anchor lights use one wire for the
positive and another for the negative. By using a little $12 switch
at the bottom of the wire feeding the two wires, you can allow them
to switch
the positive or negative from one wire to the other. Since Diodes in
OGM lights
are directional in one way only, they have found that they can put in
5 diodes and
make the light a Three-way Tricolor, or alternately switch the other
and make it
an anchor. They put a single WHITE diode in the rear sector of the
fixture,
and put both a White and a Red diode in the left front - and a White
and Green
diode in the right side. If the current comes up positive on one
wire, it illuminates the
Red/Green and Rear White for the tri-color. If the current comes in
the opposite
direction (by using the switch at the bottom to reverse the current)
the 3 Whilte diodes light up to make it an Anchor Light. They also
put in a sensor to detect whether it is day or night and allow you to
leave the
anchor light on, and it will only light when it is dark, making it
automatic.
Point 2 - The low amps mean you will not have difficulty with the
TriColor
running down your battery like traditional TriColors using incandescent
high amp bulbs. If you have a TriColor dual masthead, like the AGM,
you will be safer and have your lamp bright and high, where you will
be seen when sailing even if you are in significant waves that otherwise
would obscure deck lights. The OGM is fully USCG approved and has
a bulb life of 50,000 hours, so it will likely be the last time you have
to climb your mast. Since traditional lamps burn out in just a few
thousand hours, that will save a lot of mast climbing over the
next fifty years... and if you live on the hook, the savings in battery
recharges extends the times between having to run the engine to
burn expensive fuel and eventual costly overhauls - so they pay for
themselves in the longer run.
It is pretty easy to switch the fixtures, just following the directions.
We have done it on our last two boats and took out a much more
expensive TriColor (now for sale) just to have the benefits of the OGM
on Angel Louise.
Ed
Ed Kelly (& Sue Kelly)
USSV Angel Louise - a Catalac catamaran
Our Skype Phone (202) 657-6357
Email: EdKelly ("at" symbol) netins.net
On Oct 12, 2008, at 3:03 AM, 'bella wrote:
Anyone installed one... how well did it do.. as bright as the hype
said it would be.. cost?
I might replace mine so am thinking going as low voltage as
possible.thanks..
'bella
sv maja
--
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