Thinking about getting LEDS!!!!!

[Gradywhite3535]

I am sure most people have seen this guys awesome thread http://forums.iboats.com/electrical...s/led-strip-lighting-ins-outs-info-544182.htm Iam[/url] interested in getting some LEDS. I have a 22ft center console with my batteries and fuse panel at the helm. What I was wondering is what is the best way to hide the wires and strips. I really have a lip or anything to cover them. You guys can see in the other guys post it looks like he uses plywood or something. Has anyone installed them before? Everyone throw out some ideas for me please. Share pics everybody.

 

[ssobol]

Re: Thinking about getting LEDS!!!!!

I am sure most people have seen this guys awesome thread http://forums.iboats.com/electrical...s/led-strip-lighting-ins-outs-info-544182.htm Iam[/url] interested in getting some LEDS. I have a 22ft center console with my batteries and fuse panel at the helm. What I was wondering is what is the best way to hide the wires and strips. I really have a lip or anything to cover them. You guys can see in the other guys post it looks like he uses plywood or something. Has anyone installed them before? Everyone throw out some ideas for me please. Share pics everybody.

I have installed short lengths of strip LEDs (cut from longer ones) on my RIB. Some are used for courtesy lights and some to light the interior of compartments. It was not difficult to find places for them (usually under the lip of something). I attached the LED strips to the fiberglass using 3M 4200. About three small dabs per strip. Blue painters masking tape was used to hold the strips in place while the 4200 set. Since the current demands are very low, I used 20 or 22 (can't remember which) gauge zip cord for the wiring. You could use 30 gauge wire (as far as the current is concerned) but it would probably be too easy to break.

Sorry but I have no pictures that show the lights.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Thinking about getting LEDS!!!!!

Go to a dealer and look at boat wiring techniques. There are a multitude of ways to secure wiring. Anything from a gazillion types of clips, tubing, wiring chases, etc. Or let Google do your walking.

 

[Don S]

Re: Thinking about getting LEDS!!!!!

Until you get your wiring sorted out and usable, forget about LED lights. I have looked at your pictures, and your little fuse panel is over flowing already, lots of things hooked directly to the batteries and not fused.
Do you have a battery switch?
What kind and size motor do you have?

Does anything electrical on your boat actually work.

What electrical book do you have, Perhaps I can help you with info from it if I have it.

 

[Gradywhite3535]

Re: Thinking about getting LEDS!!!!!

I do have a battery switch,yamaha 130 and i have the 12 volt bible.yes the two spot lights work and bilige. Iam having a hard time with finding what goes to the remaaining switchs

 

[Don S]

Re: Thinking about getting LEDS!!!!!

I do have a battery switch,yamaha 130 and i have the 12 volt bible.yes the two spot lights work and bilige. Iam having a hard time with finding what goes to the remaaining switchs

Wire color can tell you a lot about what a switch goes to. Sometimes there isn't anything hooked to them.

You need to find out what the switches go to by tracing the wiring, using a meter or test light. And don't expect any electrical manual to tell you every move to make, as far as taking things apart. None of them do. You have to put your mechanical abilities together and figure out how to take some things apart, along with how to troubleshoot things.

You use the same procedures to test an anchor light as you would a bilge pump, or a spot light, or a lighter socket.

Get some paper and pencils and make a wiring diagram of your boat and what things go to. Then you stand a chance of figuring things out.

Also look all over your boat, in the little nooks and crannies and see if there are blowers, lights, pumps of any kind, etc. You have no idea what any previous owner added, changed, removed or whatever. You basically need to start from scratch and figure it out.

I will help you with making a wiring diagram, that's not a problem, but you have to get me something to work with.

Then once you have it all mapped out, it will be easy to troubleshoot any thing that fails, it will be neat, organized and safe.

 

[Gradywhite3535]

Re: Thinking about getting LEDS!!!!!

Thats a gooc idea, gotta look into that.. Thanks

 

[ssobol]

Re: Thinking about getting LEDS!!!!!

Thats a gooc idea, gotta look into that.. Thanks

I'd bet that the adhesive is not up to holding well in humid environments. Also flat wire bends well in one axis (up/down), but poorly in the other (left/right).

 

[Gradywhite3535]

Re: Thinking about getting LEDS!!!!!

Hey Don Iam in the process of making a diagram. As you can see my wiring is all over the place and I don't know too much. I have ready the entire book and went back over a few sections. I understand the basics of a 12 volt system but I need to get this diagram done so I/you guys can see howbmy boat is wired. I will be able to post it tomorrow or wed. Thanks guys

 

[Don S]

Re: Thinking about getting LEDS!!!!!

Hey Don Iam in the process of making a diagram. As you can see my wiring is all over the place and I don't know too much. I have ready the entire book and went back over a few sections. I understand the basics of a 12 volt system but I need to get this diagram done so I/you guys can see howbmy boat is wired. I will be able to post it tomorrow or wed. Thanks guys

Great, take your time, and make sure it's right. Scan your hand drawn sketches and post them. Just keep us updated if it takes longer.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Thinking about getting LEDS!!!!!

When you get ready for LED installation, let me know and I will try and help you. I would NOT use the above mentioned flat wire, it will corrode badly on a boat if now protected. This thread that I did a while back has the info you need on the wire to use and everything else. I will be updating that thread soon with some new products and info.
LED STRIP LIGHTING (Ins and outs info)

As far as hiding the wires, it can be done a hundred different ways. Post a pic of your boat and I will be able to give you some ideas. The trick is to have all your wiring hidden to the point where it supplies the led strips. the strips have a self adhesive backing and if you order the white strips they will basically disappear without hiding them if they are under a gunwale fish box etc.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Thinking about getting LEDS!!!!!

I would NOT use the above mentioned flat wire, it will corrode badly on a boat.

Definitely agree. That would be a huge failure.

 

[Gradywhite3535]

Re: Thinking about getting LEDS!!!!!

Thanks chriscraft and don, i will send hopefully post tom or wed