Davis Mega-Lights are nifty lights that can be used in the cockpit or as an anchor light in most places. We used one for years on our previous boat.
Davis Mega Lights plug into a cigarette lighter with a 15-foot cord, operate on a photo cell (that is, they turn on automatically at dusk and turn off automatically at dawn) and are low draw — the incandescent ones we used on Que Tal drew less than an amp.
When we first began cruising aboard Barefoot Gal, we were surprised to find that our masthead anchor light drew almost 3 amps. Multiply that by 13 or 14 hours a day that it’s on and it’s a huge power hog! Plus we had to remember to turn it on. And off.
The previous owner, however, had left an old Davis Mega Light on board — one with incandescent bulbs. We put it into use almost immediately and saw a major reduction in the power used. We simply clip it onto our lazyjacks with a stainless carabiner and take it off when sailing.
Then a friend clued us in to an even bigger power savings: a Davis light with a bright LED bulb. He was in the process of selling his boat and gave us an LED bulb from Cruising Solutions that he’d never used.
WOW! The light is much brighter and draws only 0.04 amp (not a typo — less than 1/10 amp). The bulb is very simple to change and contains 6 LEDs. It is visible well over 2 miles, meeting the standard for anchor lights.
Now I see that Cruising Solutions has an even brighter 15-LED bulb for the Davis Mega Light. This draws 0.1 amp (one-tenth of an amp). The boat behind us here at Boot Key Harbor has one of these and it is easy to pick out in the “starfield” of anchor lights. Of course, our LED will never burn out so it’s unlikely I’ll have to buy another, but yes, if I do, I’ll get the brighter one.
NOTE: These are not the “LED Davis Lights” or the LED replacement bulbs that are packaged by Davis. A friend couldn’t figure out why their LED Davis Light was nowhere near as bright as ours — turns out his had just one LED in the bulb, yet it drew over 1/10 amp. It just wasn’t bright enough to use as an anchor light despite what the company might say.
If you have an old Davis Mega Light that works, you can upgrade it to the 6- or 15-LED bulb. They’re sold in both Cool White and Warm White — the cool white is brighter than the warm white for the same number of LEDs.
15-LED bulb for Davis Mega Light at Cruising Solutions6-LED bulb for Davis Mega Light at Cruising Solutions
August 2017: Cruising Solutions has switched and now sells a 12-LED bulb for the Davis Lights. Get it here.
If you’re looking to buy a new Davis Mega Light, I’d get it from Cruising Solutions rather than Amazon, West Marine or other retailers, as Cruising Solutions sells them with the better LED bulbs already installed, so you don’t have to buy the bulb separately (and the whole thing is cheaper than what many retailers charge for just the light without the good LED bulb).
A couple of notes about the Davis Mega Lights:
- Even if you have a masthead LED anchor light, they’re good to have on hand in case the masthead one has a problem that can’t be fixed immediately. I know a number of people that keep one “just in case.”
- They’re good lights and pretty weatherproof. But they won’t last forever. We’ve found that the photocell is usually what goes first, and then the light just won’t turn on. They typically last us about three years (but no guarantees).
- Do you have an insulated backstay for an SSB or ham radio antenna? Do you hang your Davis Light off it? Yeah, we did. Until once we transmitted when the light was on and basically fried its innards. Don’t do it.
- They are not “certified” to be anchor lights, as the Coast Guard certifies only whole light assemblies (fixture and bulb together). But you are not required to have a “certified” anchor light, only to have a white all-around light that meets the visibility standards. We’ve been in the Florida Keys for three months now, in a harbor where anchor lights are required. The Coast Guard regularly patrols for anchor light violations (and boats have been cited). No boat with a Davis Mega Light — incandescent or LED — has been cited for an improper anchor light as far as I know.
- At a recent Q&A with the FWC here in Boot Key Harbor, the captain for this area said that he prefers boats in the harbor have a light that is NOT at the masthead, since most people aren’t looking at the sky. He really liked the Davis lights as most people hang them at a lower level that’s easier to see.
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Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
Ritchard Findlay says
I did exactly the same LED lamp swap, and now I use my Davis light permanently fixed as the anchor light.
Bill Dixon says
Perfect timing on this post. Last night was our first with the more powerful of the two incadescent bulbs that came with the Davis light. Still was not as bright as i would like. Ordered the led bulb right after i read your post.
Angie Wilson says
Never had one work longer than one season. After 3 failures not a product I will buy again.
The Boat Galley says
Ours Davis Lights have all lasted several years. Well, except when we’ve done something stupid.
Mary E Dixon says
Couldn’t order online had to call
Bill, SV Denali Rose says
We have used these lights since before they had an LED version. We still have the first one (of three- which sports an LED bulb from Cruising Solutions…)
We have yet to have one fail. When anchored, we use one at the bow and stern in addition to the masthead light, and leave them out all winter. They have withstood -20°F and keep on working. We left one under the dodger for a night light all last winter. [They are also designed to shine down as well as 360° so they make great supplemental deck lights…]
Keith & Nicki, s/v Sionna says
Used the light last season, and it’s going strong, but as you mention, not bright enough. Looked at ordering a bulb through your link, but for a $12 bulb, they wanted $12 more for shipping? That seemed a little steep, so with further research I found one from Marinebeam.com. the brighter version (12 leds) was $12.50, and $6.95 shipping – that’s more my speed!
Keith Davie says
Just got ours! Great lead, Carolyn, thank you!
Niels Kisling says
I work for Davis Instruments and I agree that the Cruising Solution bulbs are brighter. Just want people to know that our LED bulb draws just 23 milliamps….1/5th of 1/10th of an amp. No typo here! Thanks for your bright comments on our Mega Light.
Niels Kisling
Carolyn Shearlock says
I love your lights . . . and with the CS bulb, it’s even better! Thanks!
CJ Schnier says
Doesn’t appear that the links to the replacement bulbs work. A shame as I really, really would like a brighter one for my Mega Light. The normal LED one it comes with is OK, but around here brighter is better.
We’re using it full time onboard Paramour until I can get someone to fix the masthead one. Interestingly the FWC up here in Gulfport, Florida prefers that people use masthead lights. I’m of the opinion that a lower light is more visible to boaters at night, though too low and it can get lost in the background of condo lights.
Niels Kisling says
The bulb kit from Davis is a good deal at $6.99. It’s a Davis #3330L. You may pay as much to ship it though. If you can’t find it on the web site just call Davis at 510.732.9229. Tell the operator Niels said to ask for Art or Curtis.
Niels Kisling
Davis Instruments from Denmark (on vacation)
Brian Hollinger says
What’s wrong with your masthead light?
CJ Schnier says
Brian Hollinger burned out and I can’t get a love the mast to undo the cover. Some genius varnished over the screws so I can’t even go by feel
Brian Hollinger says
Usually the whole cover twists off and pulls up over the interior framework. The screws are inside the base of the light to keep them out of the weather. Regardless, I can bring you a Mast Climber to borrow in a few days.
CJ Schnier says
That may help. It’s an original fixture from 1976. And I couldn’t get high enough to actually see much.
Dawn Read says
Lucky, read the article AND comments. Good to have, and know.
Espin Bullock says
MARINE BEAM. For bulbs
The Boat Galley says
They often sell the same ones.
Al Foster says
A few years ago we bought 2 davis mega lights and separately purchased bright led towers. We installed them on the bow pulpit and stern arch to supplement our mast head light. They are great in crowded busy anchorages here in the sea of cortez with the local fishermen coming and going at all hours of the night. However we turn them off in quiet secluded anchorages in the local islands. We found them so bright that the light pollution interfered with star gazing. They also attracted a whole ecosystem from tiny plankton like critters, to white pelagic crabs of some sort, sea snakes and schools of fish and then the pelicans. At first it was a fascinating national geographic like experience but after a few nights the noise from the feeding frenzy outside our stateroom porthole and the disruption of our sleep got old. We suggest installing them on a separate circuit from your masthead anchor light.
Patricia Clement says
Jason New
The Boat Galley says
Sorry, Rich Corbett. Drives me nuts when they change things! 🙂 But here’s the correct link: https://www.cruisingsolutions.com/collections/anchor-lighting/products/davis-megalight
Vanita says
Does this need to be plugged in during use?
Carolyn Shearlock says
Yes, to a cigarette lighter. It’s 12v with a photocell. We leave it plugged in all the time and it comes on at dusk and turns off at dawn whether we’re there or not!
Jeff says
I know that masthead anchor lights are the way to go, these days, but I don’t like them at all. I find, if there’s any kind of light pollution behind the anchorage, I loose the masthead light in the street lights. I find a light hung lower in the rigging, lights up the boat, making it easier to see.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Yes. Masthead are the “legal” but the local FWC officer says he actually prefers the lower ones as being easier to see in an anchorage.
Courtney says
I had an old Megalight, and bought a crazy expensive LED bulb in Canada. Resulted in an insanely bright light, with barely any draw. But half way into a 6 month trip some part of it died. But since there was no store around (for weeks in either direction) I got creative. You can cut off all the sensor components and wire/solder directly onto the housing that holds the bulb. It becomes a “on when plugged in” light, but totally saved the day for the end of our season (no anchor light on my boat). I’ll be buying a new light this year, and keeping the old one as a backup
Carolyn Shearlock says
Great job on the repair. A Luci light is also a good emergency light, but not nearly as bright. Another reason to have a solder iron on board!