Re: [Paddlewise] Being Seen At Night--LEDs etc.

An ever present lurker, I couldn't refrain from this discussion. I have
successfully utilized electroluminesence to light a paddle shaft with the
traditional red and green navigation lights. The batteries (2 AA) last about
12 hours and produce a light that can be seen a quite a distance without
causing night blindness. It is also readily seen due to the continual motion
of the paddle. The whole assembly was added to a Werner hollow shaft touring
paddle. The wires, batteries and connectors are located inside the paddle
shaft. I only needed to drill two 1/8" diameter holes for the wires. I
backed the electroluminesence wires with aluminum duct tape (increased
reflection) and covered the assembly with clear epoxy. It added about 10oz
to the weight of the paddle.

Al Mille

Now you know what my MBA Marketing Class project was last fall.



----- Original Message -----
From: <JSpinner_at_aol.com>
To: <PaddleWise_at_paddlewise.net>
Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2001 12:42 PM
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Being Seen At Night--LEDs etc.


> In a message dated 3/6/01 9:54:13 AM, rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com writes:
>
> << But since the LED scene is an evolving one, I am wondering
>
> what handle anyone might have on their effectiveness in being seen on a
>
> kayak paddling after dark. >>
>
> My primary thought is that paddling with others who bright lights on their
> boats or selves is that I am blinded to some degree by the lights. I can't
> see the rock or tree branch or even unlit boats I'm actually paddling with
> past most lights. I wonder about a type of lighting that won't increase
the
> danger to fellow paddlers. The other comment is the obvious, that the
higher
> the light is, the more visible it will be to the boats around the
> person/people.
>
> Joan Spinner
>
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PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
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