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-   Archive through March 18, 2009 (http://www.wakeworld.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=680898)
-   -   LED Strips vs. Cold Cathode Tubes (http://www.wakeworld.com/forum/showthread.php?t=675396)

billhall 03-04-2009 1:14 PM

I'm trying to find a cheap and easy way to light up the walkways of my 2001 Air Nautique. I just saw recently on the 2001 Super Air install that someone used the LED strips from V-LEDS.com and those seemed like the way to go. <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.v-leds.com/Shop/Control/fp/scat/244685/SFV/32481/set_num/1/menu_num/3" target="_blank">http://www.v-leds.com/Shop/Control/fp/scat/244685/SFV/32481/set_num/1/menu_num/3</a> <BR> <BR>I also found some Cold Cathode tubes from Oznium.com and they claim they are unbreakable if mounted correctly. The kicker is they are only $9.99 for two 12 inch tubes and transformer...pretty good deal. <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.oznium.com/cathode-kit" target="_blank">http://www.oznium.com/cathode-kit</a> <BR> <BR>Which do you think is a better option for the marine environment? And which will have the best "Blue" color? <BR> <BR>Any another suggestions for a place to buy from?

210san 03-04-2009 1:22 PM

those tubes look really cool but they just sound too cheap...usually get what you pay for!

lovin_the_wake 03-04-2009 1:25 PM

I use Cold Cathodes in computers that I build because they're pretty bright and produce very little heat but as for using them in a boat imo I would just stick with LEDs. I think all the vibration from the boat would kill em pretty quick

grant_west 03-04-2009 5:38 PM

Cold cathodes are Super cheep and Very bright. You need like 3 times the LEDs to produce the same amount of light. The cold cathodes can break I have broke a few but they are cheep to replace. The down side to the cold cathodes they draw a lot of power. <BR>I did a test and 1 or 2 cold cathodes drew as much current as ALL the LEDs in my boat.

wakebrdr38 03-04-2009 6:33 PM

I had 4 blue cold cathode tubes under the gunwales (sp?) in my nautique and they were freaking bright. The light is emitted evenly too which is nice. Drop one and its done. I had a hard time mounting them, i tried velcro strips but in the heat of the summer they would fall down and break. Just find a way to mount them correctly and you shouldnt have any problems. Ive hit double up and white caps all day and never had one break due to vibration.

99_slaunch 03-04-2009 8:05 PM

WOW!! That's crazy. G's boat has to look like Vegas at night with all the led's he has shown.<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/proud.gif" border=0>. Can we get a final pic G with all of the led's lit at once trailer included?

billhall 03-05-2009 8:20 AM

I ended up throwing an order in for a bunch of 12" and 6" strip LEDs from V-leds.com, they seem like a better option...flexible and i'm a fan of minimal power draw and no transformer. They were a little bit more expensive though, obviously. <BR> <BR>I might try the cathodes sometimes if I put another order in but I'm going with LEDs for now. <BR> <BR>yeah, "G" when you get a chance, throw up some of the latest LED pictures of the whole boat and trailer

grant_west 03-05-2009 8:49 AM

ooo yea I forgot about the transformer. Keep the transformer away from your head unit or eq. It will transmit noise


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