LED Lighting

[drewpster]

I want to get some LED lights to go under the gunnel of my tri-hull to light the deck. At first the idea was to use rope lights, but I do not like the way they connect together and the price is pretty high. I am having some trouble selecting what would work. I want to go with LED to add allot of light while saving my batteries. Any suggestions on what I should go with? Anybody had any experience with 12 volt rope lighting?

 

[trendsetter240]

Re: LED Lighting

I want to get some LED lights to go under the gunnel of my tri-hull to light the deck. At first the idea was to use rope lights, but I do not like the way they connect together and the price is pretty high. I am having some trouble selecting what would work. I want to go with LED to add allot of light while saving my batteries. Any suggestions on what I should go with? Anybody had any experience with 12 volt rope lighting?

I used small 6 LED units that I picked up from West Marine. They are about 3.5 inches long and throw a very bright, white light. I think you can also order them here on iboats. They were about 10-15 bucks each. One on either side provides plenty of light and use virtually no power.

 

[trendsetter240]

Re: LED Lighting

Iboats has these with 9 LEDs in them for 15.50. Mine are similar only with 6 LEDs. They are very bright.

EDIT: Mine are hardwired into the boat power system and these in the link below use batteries.

http://www.iboats.com/Seasense-LED-Portable-Strip-Light/dm/*******.973222526--view_id.685932

 

[sprintst]

Re: LED Lighting

Here is a thread that I posted in a while back. Hopefully I'll have my lights hooked up this week and will post pics of what they look like lit up. They've been sitting on a shelf all year so it's time to get them in there. I think I bought 3-4 foot strips in blue...

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=303600&highlight=leds

 

[fishrdan]

Re: LED Lighting

I used red 12V rope lights in my boat, got them from CBConcepts, 4- 6.5' ropes were something like $50. They light the boat up pretty well, but if I want to tie a knot (fishing) I have to get 1-2' away from the light.

I do agree the connectors are kind of chincey... I took them apart, slathered it in 3m5200, put back together and tightened it down.

 

[bkwapisz]

Re: LED Lighting

I got some of the little passageway LED setups from here at iboats and put them all over my fishing rig to help at night. Gives a nice light that isn't too harsh so that your eyes can't adjust. Used to have some crappy things with what looked like nightlight bulbs that didn't work half the time unless you jiggled them. These were great replacments and were cheap.

 

[sasto]

Re: LED Lighting

I have rope lights in the cockpit and cabin for 15 years....no problem....I used heat shrink in the connections and they are used in saltwater enviroment. Depends on the manufacturer, I buy them by length that come off a roll, which can be cut as desired to fit your application. Commonly called "sex lights" around here. More for visual or safety effect. Red for cockpit and blue for interior. Red is easiest on the eyes and blue second.

 

[roozter2550]

Re: LED Lighting

just installed a 48" strip on each side under the gunnels and 4 10" strips under the t-top...

these pics are just the under gunnel lights...haven't taken pics with the t-top lights yet...

paid $8.99 for each 48" strip and $7.99 for the pack of 4 10" strips

hard wired to the boat's electrical system

48" strips
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0473807464&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT

pack of 4 10" strips
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0474118691&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT

this seller has other colors and lengths available as well...

I'm picking up some red strips for night running next


(sorry about the crappy cell phone pics)
(BTW, the pics were taken during daylight, under a cover which is full open at the stern)

 

[fishrdan]

Re: LED Lighting

Those look pretty nice roozter, price isn't bad either.

 

[roozter2550]

Re: LED Lighting

here are some better pics...(ignore the date stamp on the pics, set it wrong)

 

[fishrdan]

Re: LED Lighting

WOW roozter, that baby is lit up!

How many strips did you use on each side, size and total strips.

I want to add some white LED courtesy lights, for when the red's are not lighting the cockpit up enough, and those strips look like they would fit the bill nicely.

 

[sprintst]

Re: LED Lighting

Awesome lighting Roozter. Hopefully mine light up the same...

 

[drewpster]

Re: LED Lighting

That is exactly what I am looking for! Good price too. How do they wire in? Are there pigtails? Did you have to solder the connections?

 

[roozter2550]

Re: LED Lighting

WOW roozter, that baby is lit up!

How many strips did you use on each side, size and total strips.

I want to add some white LED courtesy lights, for when the red's are not lighting the cockpit up enough, and those strips look like they would fit the bill nicely.

two 48" strips, one on each side under the gunwales
four 10" strips under the t-top...you can see the locations in the 1st pic

 

[roozter2550]

Re: LED Lighting

That is exactly what I am looking for! Good price too. How do they wire in? Are there pigtails? Did you have to solder the connections?

The strips come with pigtails...(reasonably long too but not terminated with a connector so soldering is needed)
I soldered and sealed all the connections liquid elec tape and heat shrink over that.

I mounted the strips with 3M automotive body molding tape and also used a couple of zip-ties on the t-top tubing.

 

[drewpster]

Re: LED Lighting

Thats Great, thanks for the help all. Given the price of these LED strips it leads me to believe that the other ones I have been looking at are way overpriced. These are cheap enough I may go with blue and white. good deal.

BTW- How is the seller on shipping? reasonable?

 

[roozter2550]

Re: LED Lighting

BTW- How is the seller on shipping? reasonable?

Free Shipping actually!

 

[fishrdan]

Re: LED Lighting

Thanks for the info roozter. I didn't see the T-top LEDs at first, looks good. That white interior really reflects the light well.

 

[drewpster]

Re: LED Lighting

Heres one for ya, Should LED's be wired in series or parallel?

 

[fishrdan]

Re: LED Lighting

Parallel.

The LED's I've seen don't use expensive wire, zip cord or speaker wire. I have some tinned speaker wire that looks just like the wire of roozter's LED strips....