Ribbon LED Lights

[kriley]

I am looking at putting the ribbon LED lights under the seats to illuminate the storage area, ballast area (both), and other. Has anyone put their own in and if so where did you purchase them from?? What should I look for (300 led per 5 meters is what I am seeing but I am also concerned with light quality)? Any help or guidance would be appreciated!!

[MLA]

1) the ribbon type are not very robust for a high traffic area where they can get bumped or disturbed. They will not last long.
2) Do not rely on the thin film of adhesive on the back. It will not last long.

I would suggest a rigid strip or pod that can be hard-mounted if either of the above apply.

[bergermaister]

I put pods and some singles in most of mine - copying a fair amount of Dusty and KG's projects.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/

http://www.oznium.com/

The little 4 chip superflux ones from oznium that a lot guys put in their cupholders are also easy to hide in compartments.

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k414/grberglund/MoombaMobiusV/glovebox.jpg

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k414/grberglund/MoombaMobiusV/P1070629.jpg

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k414/grberglund/MoombaMobiusV/P1070627.jpg

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k414/grberglund/MoombaMobiusV/P1070626.jpg

[kriley]

Wow that looks great! Thanks bergermaister and MLA! Glad I asked - could have wasted time and cash....

[Henri3]

I put led strips in my boat up under the overhang by the speakers and I put super glue on the back of the light strip so it would hold up better, I got them at k mart for $15 for two of them, I have only had them in the boat for about a month now but they still work great and light up the boat really nice! You can see them in my profile pic or avatar, whatever you call it, but I will be adding more this winter on the tower to shine down into the boat. Not sure if thats what you are looking for though, but I think if you tuck them under where they wont get beat up on, they should hold up.

[Henri3]

Here is a blown up picture of my strips in the lev

[kriley]

Thanks Henri!

[bergermaister]

Yes - the strips are great and I've also found that super glue is a must to keep them from falling down - especially if you have to go around any curves or bends. I've actually had pretty good luck with getting them on the cheap off eBay.

You should check out some of Ian Ashton's LED work from his last boat!

[kriley]

Does anyone have any pictures of how you installed the LEDs in the cup holder??

[MLA]

Does anyone have any pictures of how you installed the LEDs in the cup holder??

In or around the under side of the lip?

[sgoyal]

Does anyone have any pictures of how you installed the LEDs in the cup holder??

I think you can install oznium led inside the cup with a small drilling hole.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/16/a8ahate6.jpg

[Clamcakes]

I picked these up from Oznium.
Super Bright and Ultra Slim Pre-Wired Surface Mount 12V LED : 5050 SMD
I installed these in all my cupholders. They're the RGB

http://i.ozcdn.com/D6BL.jpg

[KG's Supra24]

Another + for Oznium. Here is a combination of there superflux and weatherproof strips ....

http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i401/kwgarner24/DSC_0149.jpg

http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i401/kwgarner24/DSC_0130.jpg

[kriley]

Kg and clam cakes - thanks!! I did get some of the ultra slim and a pile of pods, modules, strips as well!!! Clamcakes - how did you attach them in the cup holder? Do you have any pics? Thanks for everyone's help!!!

[viking]

Does anyone have any pictures of how you installed the LEDs in the cup holder??

I used the oznium superflux lights in the cupholder and it fits perfectly in the cup holder drain hole!
http://www.oznium.com/prewired-superflux

[bergermaister]

^^ My drain holes were too big, but you can just drill a 3/8" hole, add a drop of glue and pop them in.

[Clamcakes]

You can fish the wire down the drain hole in the cupholders. And surprisingly the adhesive on the back of the light has held up. I just fastened them down onto the bottom of the cup. I'll get some pics this weekend.

Like KG I used the ribbon lights in the rear storage, side speakers, under each helm, glovebox and at the rear above the exhaust vents.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bIMGrHphxY

[kriley]

Clamcakes! Looks Great!! Thanks for the help...

[kriley]

Thanks for everyones help! I put the majority of the LEDs in -


1852518526185271852818529

[kriley]

Here is one more picture

18530

[irish-racing]

Looks good. Now I have some ideas for my boat. At least I have all winter to get it done.

[kriley]

It was not bad - took me a day and a half to wire all the lights I bought and installed - Thanks to the forum members help and advise...
I am looking at installing a few more lights when I winterize the boat - same as you a winter project..

[bergermaister]

I am looking at installing a few more lights when I winterize the boat..

It's a sickness!

[kriley]

You are so right!!! - I hope that the E Wire turns out to be what I was told - If it does Work I have already thought of more ways to light the boat up... Plus when I finish a project it is always time for a few cold ones..

[kriley]

I ordered 24 feet of "EL Wire" in varying lengths to test out - This should be great for speakers and many other applications - I will post some pics after I am finished -This stuff is cheap... I ordered from Elwirepros.com

[EricU]

I ordered 24 feet of "EL Wire" in varying lengths to test out...

What is this stuff?

[kriley]

Lighting - Very thin and bendable - the web site has a good explanation of the product -Our Electrical engineer told me I needed to try this out on my boat..

[EricU]

Lighting - Very thin and bendable - the web site has a good explanation of the product...

I guess I should read up on it first, but is it LED or non-LED based?


...Our Electrical engineer told me I needed to try this out on my boat..

Always trust your engineers! Generally fantastic people! (and yes, I sign "P.E." after my name for work related stuff)

[bergermaister]

Just noticed Radio Shack has this now if you have one local and want to scope it. I think I'm going to take a look. Pricing seems pretty reasonable if you can't make it out.

$6.99 for 1 meter of the tape in red, white, or blue
$14.99 for 3 meters of the wire in red, white, or blue

http://i326.photobucket.com/albums/k414/grberglund/radioshack.jpg

Sorry for the neck strain.

[kriley]

Bergermaister - THe super bright EL Wire or tape is much better - The standard EL Wire is not very bright but I found a great use for it - outlining my amps, etc.

[bergermaister]

That's a cool idea. I wonder if the brightness varies at all with the amount of voltage you put to it.

[kriley]

You have to buy a transformer to light the EL Wire - No difference if you add more power.. The super bright is much brighter than the standard EL Wire - like 50% brighter - Thicker but a whole lot brighter....