My L.E.D. Install & How To
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Supplies I used:
From http://www.superbrightleds.com/ 7 - 3 Pod L.E.D. - ALM-x3 Blue - Cockpit & Front Cup Holders 2 - 4 Pod L.E.D. - ALM-x4 Blue - Mounted Under Helm From http://www.oznium.com/flexible-tri-chip-ribbon-leds 2 - Tri-Chip Ultra-Flex Waterproof Strip Blue - Mounted above Rear Cup Holders Note: I played with the placement on these, they are very bright, I found that putting them facing toward the outside of the boat toward the carpet gave the best effect. From http://www.wiringproducts.com/ 100' Parallel 18 Gauge / 2 Conductor 100' 1/4'' Polyethylene Black Slit Loom 100 - 22-18 ga. Butt Splice (ordered extra for future Use) All wire runs were completed using wire loom! 3M Molding Tape All of the Super Bright L.E.D.'s have the wire routed out of the top of the pod, to get a seamless (No Wire showing) install you have to take them apart and drill a hole (5/32") to re-route the wire. (See Photo #1) The L.E.D.’s are actually silicone caulked into the back of the pod, so in reality you are going to drill the front and mount the pods backwards. They are so small, no one will be able to tell the difference except me and you. Important Note: Be sure to order at least one more pod than your application, having the wire come out of the top is a nice to have for checking your alignment. (See Photo #2) Also, test each location at night to be sure you are happy with the it. Now you are ready to mark and drill your holes (5/32") for mounting. I used painters masking tape, seemed to stick pretty well to the gel coat. Important Note: Be sure to measure each pod for each location as your hole/wire location for each pod will probably be slightly different. (See Inset Photo #2) Also, be sure to place masking tape over your drill hole spot so the gel coat does not crack when drilling. Before drilling, tape your EXTRA pod in place to make sure you are happy with where the light hits. I simply ran a wire from the battery to the pod for temporary power. Measure Thrice!!! Clean the area, apply 2 small strips (3/8”) of 3M molding tape to the back of the pod, feed the wire through the hole and stick in place. I did not screw in each pod; the tape seems to hold real well. Time will tell, if they come loose I have stainless #4x3/4” screws if needed. Hard to find locally, I ordered them from Bolt Depot! I ran a separate line for each pod in wire loom. I disconnected the factory courtesy light fore and aft and made my connections there, this way all of the lights are on the same switch as the underwater lights. (All of the rears run to the rear light, dash and fronts run to the forward light. And the final result, looks fantastic in person, photos just do not do it justice! For me one key is the entire deck is under a nice blue glow and none of the lights are blinding, so it should be fine while under way at night. PM me if you have any questions! |
well done! blue looks sick!
pic of the boat they went in? |
Nice install. Can you show how you ran the wires? did you just run them along the floor or did you suspend them? Thanks
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Where do you get said "hanger tie"? I have an X2 as well and am redoing the wiring for my LEDs this years. I like the idea of taping into the courtesy lights. I think thats the plan I will go with. Thanks!
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Wake - See attached photo, I only needed to use one of these as mentioned on the forward port side, as no wiring runs across that seat base. There is a rib under the seat that you can screw to so you do not need to worry about the screw coming through into the boat seat base. You can get these from any hardware store or from the link wiring products in the origianl post.
Also, attached is the photo of the existing cable run/hangers in all MC boats. (White Rings) If you look up under the rear cup holders you will find these. Also, on the X2, there is a cable run across the floor from the battery locker and cooler storage you can zip tie that side to.(Port) |
Very cool. Only problem with myself doing that is my boat has carpet on all of the side walls near your feet. I wonder what the best way to mount them would be in this case?
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Looks sweet. I'd be leary of people kicking the lights though. Mine are all suspended up under the gunnels, none on the floor. Doesn't light up nearly as well though.
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Thanks Matt!
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Looks like a nice job. Only thing I would recommend is avoid using butt connectors. Butt connections are weak and can come apart easily. Best bet is to solder the wires and use heat shrink tubing or liquid electric tape to keep the mositure out. Moisture will find its way into the but conneciton and will corrode braided wire pretty quickly.
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so some double-side 3M tape is the only thing holding the pods? Looks great
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Very nice! What was the total cost of your install? Thanks
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Sweet lights
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