LED deck and storage lighting

[AThornton]

Ok, I know that bluewater LEDs are getting more popular and they are a GREAT product....but as anyone tried a DIY version of something similar? Can't really afford to get the package deals from bluewater and was thinking about getting some simple strip LEDs and trying it myself. Doesn't seem like that hard of a concept and should be fairly easy to do, just wondering if anyone has and if they have any tips???

I know the deck lighting could be tricky with sealing the lights to keep water out, but I'm mainly looking to add lights to all my compartments and livewells. I might try to do some deck and floor lights as well

emoAngler

 

[JDK]

keep an eye on BBC Adam he runs specials all the time
not sure on DIY but Im sure it could be done with some time and patience

 

[AThornton]

Yea I've seen where he will drop prices from time to time. I've talked to Mike several times and he is a super nice guy and is willing to help with anything. I was talking to him trying to find someone in our area to hook him up with to carry the bluewaters. I know he makes a great product, but I really think I could do something similar myself and not have nearly as much invested in it. Im sure if I did the deck lights, then I would want his product. But just for compartments, livewell, under the seat, etc. I think I can do it myself for pretty cheap.

 

[Big Fish]

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/catalog/store-home.jsp?cm_re=store*topnav*shop

Here you go Adam. Click here and then type in Marine Rope light they come in 6ft. strips and come with the mounting clips. I've got them in my rod lockers only took about 20 min. to install both. If you can wait I'll show them to you Saturday if your at the TX.

 

[AThornton]

Big Fish - 4/7/2010 1:29 PM

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/catalog/store-home.jsp?cm_re=store*topnav*shop

Here you go Adam. Click here and then type in Marine Rope light they come in 6ft. strips and come with the mounting clips. I've got them in my rod lockers only took about 20 min. to install both. If you can wait I'll show them to you Saturday if your at the TX.

Good deal! I'd love to see some and see how you did it! Thanks! I'll make sure we hook up before or after so I can check them out!

 

[Buoy-Master]

I did my wells and one compartment with some red samples i got in from work. real simple and has a glue backing. 15" strip with 100 LEDS. BRIGHT!!!

I''ll check on some prices for you.

 

[Auburnwes]

I found some on ebay as well. Do a search for waterproof led strip.

 

[AThornton]

BBass - 4/7/2010 6:13 PM

I did my wells and one compartment with some red samples i got in from work. real simple and has a glue backing. 15" strip with 100 LEDS. BRIGHT!!!

I''ll check on some prices for you.

Yea check on that for me. I'm about positive I'm going to give it a shot on my compartments at least. I've got 2 AUX switches I can wire into at my console, so the wiring and all shouldn't be a problem, as long as I can hide the wires and keep them under the deck.

 

[AThornton]

Auburnwes - 4/8/2010 8:49 AM

I found some on ebay as well. Do a search for waterproof led strip.

Yea Wes I've been looking at those as well. Just not sure about the quality on some of them. Most of them are coming straight from China. If I'm just planning on using them in my compartments then I'm not worried about waterproofing them as much, since they should stay fairly dry

 

[Auburnwes]

XLDVee - 4/8/2010 9:16 AM


Yea Wes I've been looking at those as well. Just not sure about the quality on some of them. Most of them are coming straight from China. If I'm just planning on using them in my compartments then I'm not worried about waterproofing them as much, since they should stay fairly dry

As always I wonder about the quality sometimes on ebay, but I will give them a shot and let you know. I'm with you I don't think there would be a problem especially if you put them in a dry spot. emoToast

 

[digitalcb]

I have submerged 110v rope lights under 2 feet of water in my water gardens for years with never a problem.

The ones that are designed to be linked together have water tite-o-ring seals.

A 100 watt dc to ac inverter should run about 50 feet of rope lights so you're looking at 50 cents a foot for the lights and $20 for the inverter.

 

[Rannger361]

just installed blue led strip linghting in both rod locker and tackle dept. and white led ling in battery dept. instaled blue led swith from radio shack, not hard to install, check auto zone for led lights.

 

[AThornton]

I ended up going to Auto Zone last Thursday and bought a small strip from them to try out and see how it would work. Spliced into an existing light at the switch on the console and ran them to my tackle compartment. Works like a charm! Lights are bright, wiring was easy, and they are holding up well right now! I am going to go this week and get a few more strips to try elsewhere and see what I can come up with. The 12 LED strips are only like $8.99 at AutoZone, so I think I can do everything I am wanting to do and come out significantly cheaper than I would with Bluewaters. I will try and get some pics up soon!

 

[AThornton]

Here's some quick cell phone pics that I snapped of the 2 strips I installed in my tackle compartment. Hard to get a good pic with them on....these are some bright lights! They turned out well in my opinion and do the job that I was wanting them to do. Not quite as professional looking, but I am extremely satisfied with the way they turned out. Only took me and Hart about 20 min to put these in. Hopefully by the end of the week I will have them in my livewells and on the deck. I'll take some pics with the digi when I do that. Should look pretty sweet and have ample light to see around the boat at night!

 

[soggysod]

I've installed quite a few, the ones from china are great. just search 12v smd light. i ordered some of these, not installed yet, but similar to what i have. great price, good looking products. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250604304413

soggysod.

while you are at it, check out some of the 24v led uv lights got some and am impressed so far.