LED swim platform or transom lights

[smokeysevin]

Hey guys, I am looking to add a set of white lights to the transom or swim platform brackets of my 04 Mobius LS. I have seen a lot about several different brands but I have not seen anyone use the little led pod lights like these (http://www.amazon.com/Auxbeam-waterproof-Off-road-Auxiliary-Driving/dp/B00T62RK1U/ref=sr_1_4?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1435244277&sr=1-4&keywords=cree+fog+lights)

I know that a marine environment is totally different than road as I come from the jetski world, and even though they are listed as "waterproof" that does not mean submersible but they are cheap as dirt and put out a ton of light. I figure I will get them, seal the crap out of them with some black rtv or 4200 and see how long they last, any thoughts?

I want to use an amber or white color to match the boat.

Thanks,

Sean

[Rugburn]

Ive been scouring the forums on this subject too. Very interested in what others say. I want blue LED and was heading towards mounting something on the wake plate. The LED lights you found have a lot of bang for the buck!

[smokeysevin]

My main concern is just making sure they are sealed, I have a set on my truck that got a little moisture in them when it flooded last month but I didn't try to seal them. I decided to just give it a go and ordered 4 flood patterns for the swim deck and 2 spot patterns for dock lights.

Should get them Saturday.

Sean

[zabooda]

LEDs are ok as long as they don't affect the navigation lights or misconstrued with lights law enforcement use. Blue lights around here will attract law enforcement very quick and they aren't too happy when it isn't one of their own. White on the transom would complement the anchor light which should be ok.

[smokeysevin]

LEDs are ok as long as they don't affect the navigation lights or misconstrued with lights law enforcement use. Blue lights around here will attract law enforcement very quick and they aren't too happy when it isn't one of their own. White on the transom would complement the anchor light which should be ok.

Worry not, the only lights on the upper half of the boat will be light amber tinted and used for docking. Under the boat will be the same color but used when underway but not aimed inconsiderately.I did always wonder about the blue, in the automotive world thats a big no-no

Sean

[bergermaister]

Those may work depending on how you mount them but honestly they seem like they'd be a bit large and bulky (ie out of place).

Rugburn - I'll check back and get you details on the strips I used. They were not rated waterproof but I did it anyway and they've been fine as they appeared sealed.

I would definitely suggest running your LEDs on a separate/dedicated circuit and even consider your underwater ones on a separate switch than your in-boats. If you're ever trying to follow someone at night who's running with transom lights on it is annoying as shit.

[kaneboats]

By the way, you cannot be electrocuted without dying. :)

[smokeysevin]

Those may work depending on how you mount them but honestly they seem like they'd be a bit large and bulky (ie out of place).

Rugburn - I'll check back and get you details on the strips I used. They were not rated waterproof but I did it anyway and they've been fine as they appeared sealed.

I would definitely suggest running your LEDs on a separate/dedicated circuit and even consider your underwater ones on a separate switch than your in-boats. If you're ever trying to follow someone at night who's running with transom lights on it is annoying as shit.

Very good point, I will be sure to do that, each of the large led's will be individually fused. The switches will be as follows

Transom lights

"wake" lights

Front facing "docking" lights

Interior "accent" lights

Engine compartment lights

Battery compartment

Cup holders

Each circuit will be separately fused and power supplied from an aux distribution block.


I use these (http://easternbeaver.com/Main/Elec__Products/Connectors/Sealed/SM-MT/sm-mt.html) connectors for any marine application and they are sealed great, cheap, and easy to install.

What are you guys using as a thru-hull fitting for power? I am not a huge fan of wires going through the hull without a connector. In the past I have used these http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v113/nigelbarker/MS-005Medium.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/nigelbarker/media/MS-005Medium.jpg.html)
but you would not need all 35 pins. The connectors are available in 16 pins which is much more reasonable.

Sean

[Rugburn]

We had a big fireworks display on one of the lakes here in Madison Wisconsin last night. There was a lot of law enforcement on the lake. I took a moment to ask one of the Deputy Sheriffs about blue LED's on boats. He said a law was just signed here in Wisconsin making it illegal to have any blue lights on the outside of your boat. I have to assume they mean transom lights too. I saw them pull up to and ticket a couple of boats including a pontoon that looked like it had factory blue lights under the deck. I think Im going to have to switch to green. Its really too bad. Blue looks so sweet.

[smokeysevin]

22333

22334

Got the lights in, 30 feet of rgb rope light supposedly in 40 colors, 4 18w led 60 degree fog pattern and 2 18w 30 degree spot patterns

Sean

[smokeysevin]

22389

Bulkhead 14 pos straight pin ampseal16 plugs, connectors, terminals, and headers.

One bulkhead connector will go from the transom to the interior hull, for the swim deck lights.

One will go from the upper deck to the hull for the tower lights

One will act as a distribution point for the accent leds

And one will be the main plug for the switch/relay box for accessories

If there is ever a reason to remove any of the items plugged into these bulkhead fittings, I have the option of blocking them off with a "blank plug" that has no terminals but just the little plastic filler plugs.

I have not gotten them in yet, but I have the other connectors I will be using to and from these bulkhead fittings on the way.

Sean

[viking]

Want to see this project when it's all done!

[smokeysevin]

I created a page to detail the install of the lights with more photos, you can check it out here (http://sosmotorsports.blogspot.com/2015/06/inside-18w-cree-led-pods.html)

The post linked above shows the internals and disassembly of the led pods I have as well as some concerns. I will update as I go but will keep y'all posted.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sbAELFRrP0Y/VZM8VGDTZnI/AAAAAAAAAU4/Ds1l6P27UD4/s1600/DSC_1897.JPG

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nrKHRtL52Zk/VZM8WFsteAI/AAAAAAAAAVA/e5Vl-Cuo0iQ/s1600/DSC_1898.JPG

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hgDBTuBED18/VZM8YgvIJNI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/5pVV3Y2fWiQ/s1600/DSC_1901.JPG

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gAA6LEI1kqs/VZM8msNRjqI/AAAAAAAAAWg/FiTmI7z2Afs/s1600/DSC_1912.JPG


Sean

[smokeysevin]

The rest of the pictures of importance,

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rkoXwMrFL4k/VZM8cnGrbII/AAAAAAAAAVo/O-IsNMSbUbg/s1600/DSC_1904.JPG

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sLEVmWptFOU/VZM8fqdbTlI/AAAAAAAAAV4/rB_NeK1C2p4/s1600/DSC_1906.JPG

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0uoMlSgEoW4/VZM8eGaZ9aI/AAAAAAAAAVw/6xCVhRggw-k/s1600/DSC_1905.JPG

As you can see there are lots of points of potential leakage and this will be addressed shortly as well as the lens color.


Sean

[smokeysevin]

22415
22416
22417
22418

The rest of my electrical connectors arrived yesterday but unfortunately my carb or oil pressure switch crapped out while on the lake so that is my priority now. I have the cupholder lights still on their way which are also the same lights that are going to go under the doghouse and in the battery compartment tripped on a pressure switch.

Happy 4th gents,

Sean