Replacing bulb navigation lights with LEDs

[Dino]

We have a Bavaria 31 with a Wurth Elektronik - 301 & 302 electrical panel, year 2009. This electrical panel has a features to monitor a fault in the navigation lights. We are considering to replace actual 10W bulbs with LED ones, but we do not know if we are going to loose this features. The panel user manual do not provide any hint. Has somebody done the switch?
Dino

[Harry Brown]

I've just ordered some of these for the Nav, Stern, Steaming and Anchor Lights.

http://www.boatlamps.co.uk/contents/en-uk/d66.html

I'll let you know what they are like when I've fitted them.
I'm sure there are people here that have done this already and will be along soon :-)

[Craig]

Our Bav 38 ( 2009) has the same panels.

We replaced the Nav lights with Led lights.

Because of the lower current draw the lights on the panel flash the warning even though the Nav lights are working perfectly.

One other problem we encountered was that our side light bulb lost a couple of rows of Led lights. Could still see the light in operation but much dimmer.

Craig
"Shirley Valentine"
Gold Coast
Australia

[Dino]

From Craig:
"Because of the lower current draw the lights on the panel flash the warning even though the Nav lights are working perfectly."

You are correct, this issue can be fixed in two ways:
- a modification in the panel software (this require ability to edit and reload the software)
- replacing the resistor used to monitor the drain current (require electrical/electronic panel drawings)

Both solutions require detailed information from the panel manufacturer, witch are not available
see this thread "http://www.bavariayacht.info/forum/index.php?topic=1305.0"

It is my opinion that manufacturers of boats have to provide full technical detailed data.
Dino

[Lyra]

replacing the resistor used to monitor the drain current (require electrical/electronic panel drawings)

Probably not for somebody without any knowledge and experience, but one should be able to locate this resistor since it is of a very low resistance and always in series to the line that provides the power to the light.

[Nigel]

It would be Wurth contacting the manufacturer

There may not be a resistor, it could be an IC.

[Lyra]

There may not be a resistor, it could be an IC.

Certainly possible, but in this case it would surprise me if sensing is not done with a resistor.

[Trapeze Artist]

I've just ordered some of these for the Nav, Stern, Steaming and Anchor Lights.

http://www.boatlamps.co.uk/contents/en-uk/d66.html

I'll let you know what they are like when I've fitted them.
I'm sure there are people here that have done this already and will be along soon :-)

Yes, I've fitted the very same ones. I've never noticed any warning on the panel but maybe I just haven't looked. 

I've been very happy with the LEDs. There's a huge current saving. Originally I didn't change the staming light as there seemed no need for electrical economy, but I had the filament bulb fail several times so eventually went LED for that reason.

I also spent a whole extra £1 (or thereabouts) on a dusk-to-dawn version for the anchor light which at that price seemed a no-brainer. Equally I got a red/white one for the chart table: switch on, it's red; switch off and on again, it's white.

[Jackho]

Yes I replaced my masthead lights with LED's and the lamp failure light flashes as the current draw is too low.  Not an issue as not possible to alter chip settings (unless your an expert with lots of time and experience and maybe money!!)