New LED Running Lights Installed today

[Alanhod]

[thepartydog]

Alan,

I'm interested. What models did you choose? Where did you get them, and Pictures, please.


Darin

[CaptainScott]

Hey Alan, those lights look very nice!
I like the taller stern light so it is visible over the outboard motor when it is up! I glanced at the bow light and from behind it looked great. I did not look at the front though! It was cold and I wanted to get home before the roads froze! I'd love to see how they look after dark. I may do the same.

Also remember, if you are sailing you do NOT need an all around white light after dark. Red and green bow and white stern only lights are the requirement. Once you start your motor though, a steaming light or the light part way up your mast is required.

Getting that power panel working is fantastic! Also getting the DC main switch installed is a great idea! Be sure EVERYTHING turns off with that switch! It will save you a dead battery one day!! LOL! Guess how I know that!

You should be pleased, the lights look great! Even the interior overhead! I like your idea of adding a second one too!

When you step your mast you may want to consider a hinge instead of the factory hook! Maybe come by one day and we can step the mast on my boat so you can see why I recoomend it!

Good seeing you again!

And thanks for the scupper covers! I'll get the modified and installed soon!!
Scott

[Carl_IN_TX]

My wiring and lights are all original and need some work. Some photos and materials used would really help us amateur electricians!

Thanks,
Carl

[thepartydog]

Carl,

I'm currently rewiring my boat, it's too cold to paint outside.

"Chapman's Piloting and Seamanship" is a great resouce with a chapter each on electrical and electronics. The chapter on electrical has charts for wire size, and color coding. It's pricey new, but it can be found used. The book is worth it for the chapters on electrical and electronics, the other 24 chapters are just a bonus.

The wiring issues you'll face, are wire size, composition, color, and routing. I used tinned copper wire from genuinedealz.com. The wire size (gage) depends on the power used at the other end, legnth of wire, and how sensitive the device on the other end is. 16 gage blue for my house lights, 16 gage grey for the navagation lights, and 16 gage black for ground. I routed mine almost the same way the original wires were routed. I'll try to get some pictures to show as soon as I clean up the mess.

Darin

[Alanhod]

[Carl_IN_TX]

Thanks for the info. The LEDs sound like the way to go. I bought a new deep cycle battery for the boat, so now I am starting to map out the wires that run here and there. It is kind of a rats nest.

Thanks,
Carl