Uninterruptable Binnacle System (UBS)

	The Uninterruptable Binnacle System
Bebi	The Uninterruptable Binnacle System	Bebi

The most important light aboard any vessel is the one above the skipper's head.

The SECOND most important light is the binnacle lamp.

In the event of a total ship's power failure, you can continue to (hand) sail at night if you can read the compass card. The simple circuit shown below can improve your safety tremendously by using LED's and a pair of 'D' cell batteries, instead of trying to steer with a flashlight or being half blinded with a 'head' light.

Even though we do not sell a kit to do this, we think that this is important enough for you to know that we have posted this page on our site.

In all cases, the switch shown is a DPDT (double pole, double throw) centre-off switch. It should be wired into a panel breaker on your distribution panel. The first diagram is if you have a single LED in the binnacle.

This second diagram is if you need (or would like) two L.E.D.'s in the circuit:

You'll note that really the only difference is in the value of the resistors. The resistors shown in all cases are fairly conservative, based on a generic forward voltage drop. If you find the light to be too bright for good night vision, just decrease the resistor value shown to the next lowest 'standard' resistor size.

Just about any colour LED you would like can be used, however there is a slight advantage in night vision of blue-green over red. You will likely be using a leaded LED for this project. The longer of the two leads is the anode, and it is the one which is connected to the positive coming from the switch. The shorter lead (cathode) will go to the negative.

Opps, cut them the same length already? If you are using 5mm or 3mm lamp-type (round) LEDs, you will see a very small flat on the base of the flange of the lens. That lead will be the cathode; the lead which goes to the vessel's negative.

If you would like more information, please contact us at sales@bebi-electronics.com. LED lighting are our products, customers are our lifeblood and we know it.

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The Uninterruptable Binnacle System