LED light installation

Have any of you installed LED courtesy lights in your aluminum boats? I am considering putting some waterproof in the gunwhale/gunnel?

Any advice would be invited..


2dogs

I would put those led strip lights under the gunnel it will light the boat up. They come with and adhesive backing but I would put some epoxy on it and make it stick to boat.

I put one of the 18" led strips in blue down front bow of mine. I liked them but going to sound weird, but the ones I put in are too bright for the direction/spot I put them. Like them but wished I had put them in different spot. Mine had the adhesive backing on them but I just used that as temp hold. I siliconed mine into place. Taped it as well until silicone cured. Blue ones didn't do too bad on bugs some days, then other days seemed they swarmed it. To do over again or if I move I will find spot They shine away from drivers seat. Ruined my night vision in spot I have them currently.

I ran some the complete length one side of my duck boat... They're bright for sure. I got a 16 ft strip off eBay for about 14 bucks? Waterproof and adhesive on the back...

I just ran them down the side my battery was on and put some alligator clips on the end to clip to the battery. Of course it wouldn't be hard to power them in a more "professional" or better looking manner. The LEDs I used are Chinese, few have burned out and the clear waterproof coat is starting to turn brown... Doesn't really effect the brightness, still bright as can be. You get what you pay for but I'm on year two, and for 12 or 15 bucks I really don't mind peeling it off and replacing it when needed.. I'm not paying 80 bucks for a 12 inch strip like some guys. The ones I used can be cut to length. If you are interested in going that route I can give you more details or help in any way I can.

Aaron makes a good point, mine almost blind me when I look at them... If you can put them under a lip or something where you can't directly look at the LED.

I wired mine into a 3$ switch from auto parts store. Next one I put in will be rigged into switch at my control panel. I put this one up front by trolling motor and when I want flip it on I have to get to The front. I bought a 20' roll off of eBay as well. Was maybe $20. Same as described. Custom length durable. I soldered wire leads onto the strips, has to be better way to get power to strip but that will be next time as well.

I helped my son in law install the led light strips in his War Eagle boat. We purchased them from eBay I think they were 8mm wide, water proof and had the self adhesive strip on the back. We were able to place them into one of the grooves on the rail of the boat, they are very bright but because we inset them into the groove on the rail they shine down into the boat but you can't actually see the lights, therefore they don't blind you, they are also protected from the sun and getting knocked loose. We also put one strip under the lip and behind the hinge of his gun box it shines down into the box, but again you can't see the actual lights so they don't blind you. We purchased wired connectors, also from eBay, that snap onto the end of the light strips so that we didn't have to solder them.

Here's mine. The short section that didn't stick was fixed with Loc-tite brand gel found at Walmart. This was what others had been using. The lights came off of ebay and I purchased a switch that was pre-labled "Lights" for the panel on the front of the boat. They are really useful for loading and unloading in the dark. In the boat rigging thread is a link to a thread about the led lights.

http://www.crappie.com/crappie/showt...g-Thread/page5

http://crappie.com/crappie/showthrea...ed-heaven.html

I just ordered a kit from bluewaterled.com yesterday. They offer a forum discount. For what I got, I don't think I could have pieced it together and done a DIY for much cheaper.

What kit you order blue. Post some pix when before and after

Night Blaster Deck Lighting Package. I will definitely post some pics for y'all. I'm anxious to get it here and put on.

I just went back and checked what I had in mine. It was $12 for the prelabeled switch and $37.98 for the 2 strings of 300, 5050 led's. You have a little extra in it if you add fuses,wiring, and misc hardware. What I really like is the led running lights, but I would have those beat off in no time.

Thanks for the input. Zt... I may be in touch with you.

here is mine. http://http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps88cb761b.jpg I bought these http://www.ebay.com/itm/10pcs-3LED-M...item1e821bf4f2 They work great and come with sticky back tape. I did use a dab of 3m 5200 on each end to secure them. the set I bought was about 10' long. I cut them in half and put about 5' on each end.

love the LED running lights too. http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps3948834f.jpg

Attachment 148795

I put these on both sides of a friends boat. And the one inside. These came off ebay and came with a remote to change colors.

But if you want the good stuff. Check out Blue Water LEDs. Then call me. I use them in home theaters. Under chairs, around steps, etc....

looks good and if the fish aint bittin you can get up and do the funky chicken , break dance or even disco with that portable dance stage!!!! Rofl!!!!!!!!