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SafetyWhen LED lights interfere with radio and AIS

Fridtjof Gunkel

 · 29.01.2019

Safety: When LED lights interfere with radio and AISPhoto: YACHT/K. Andrews
When LED lights interfere with radio and AIS
Poorly constructed LED lights can impair the VHF radio and thus the AIS identification system. Download the report in PDF format
Small part, sometimes disruptive side effect: components of the voltage transformerPhoto: YACHT/O. Schmidt Small part, sometimes disruptive side effect: components of the voltage transformer

Adapting the LED to the on-board voltage requires certain electronic parts that are assembled to form a voltage converter. This more complex technology is not used in simple LED strips, but is used in electronically controlled LED lights. LED retrofit kits for top or tricolour lanterns in particular appear to be problematic, as some known cases suggest. The good news is that you can check whether there is a problem on board yourself.

You can read all about how this works and the background in YACHT, issue 2/2019. directly from the publisher, or you can download the article directly via the link below.

Downloads:

Safety: LED as a source of interference (pdf)

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Fridtjof Gunkel

Fridtjof Gunkel

Deputy Chief Editor YACHT

Fridtjof Gunkel was born on Helgoland in 1962; he started his sailing career there in the Opti and quickly switched to keelboats. North Sea Week, Cowes Week and Kiel Week were early stops, followed by many years in the Admiral's Cup scene on the cuppers “Container” and “Rubin” World Championships and international regattas in the Starboat, with the mini-maxi “SiSiSi” and various tonner yachts as well as participation in the Whitbread Round the World Race were further formative stations, flanked by extensive cruising trips. Fridtjof Gunkel joined YACHT back in 1985 as part of a traineeship, where he later became Head of the Test & Technology department and then Deputy Editor-in-Chief around 25 years ago. He is also responsible for the regatta and sports section. Fridtjof Gunkel privately sails a performance/cruiser moored on the Baltic coast, his favorite areas are the eastern Swedish archipelago and Brittany.

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