nlaudy
Petty Officer
Posts: 171 
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Post by nlaudy on May 21, 2015 18:28:48 GMT -6
Starting a new thread for this since its not really a question. Just a walk through of trial and error on my new bow light project! I ordered some red and green LEDs from Amazon and got them today. Took a few quick measurements and pulled off the rub rail and went to town! I plan to use 5 LEDs per side but screwed up on the first hole. I learned quickly that the best way to drill them straight is to drill from the back side of the rub rail. Below is a picture of the boat before the project. Also attached is the LEDs I bought. Attachments:
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nlaudy
Petty Officer
Posts: 171
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Post by nlaudy on May 21, 2015 18:33:22 GMT -6
After taking these photos I got aggravated by the one hole being off center and decided to drill a new hole. I will post updated photos later. Attached are some more photos... - one is how I placed the LEDs in the rail. - one photo is me testing the lights. - the other photo shows the lights up close. |
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Post by freezerfiller on May 21, 2015 18:48:31 GMT -6
First time I've seen your boat. Very nice. One heck of a spreader light you have there.... Nav lights look great! Can you take a pic with both the old and new on at the same time at night for reference? If it's as visible, I might do something similar.
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nlaudy
Petty Officer
Posts: 171
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Post by nlaudy on May 21, 2015 19:40:20 GMT -6
Freezer here is a night pic. The LEDs aren't in the rail on this pic though. I was testing it. I'll get a better pic in a few. Attachments:
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nlaudy
Petty Officer
Posts: 171
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Post by nlaudy on May 22, 2015 6:36:37 GMT -6
Freezer here is a pic with the bow light on. I will finish this project up tonight hopefully. Unfortunately I will be using the wires from the current bowlight so it won't work for a comparison this evening. Attachments:
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Post by freezerfiller on May 22, 2015 11:39:59 GMT -6
So from the picture, it appears to have better color, but less brightness. What's your opinion seeing it in real life?
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nlaudy
Petty Officer
Posts: 171
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Post by nlaudy on May 22, 2015 14:44:28 GMT -6
I honestly feel like the brightness is about the same. That picture makes the bowlight seem brighter but I don't really think it is. Also since the bowlight is just a plastic cover controlling the color it blends them and isn't very good. I just did 5 LEDs but could make it a lot brighter with more. I wouldn't really say one is better than the other except for curb appeal. The benefit is that it is truly custom and not something that you can just buy. Also the install is super easy! Incase anyone else decides to do it I will offer the advice below: - Drill the LED holes from the inside for a straighter line. - When placing the LEDs in the hole... Superglue them from the back side. This will make sure they maintain the same depth and aren't moving around. Attached is a picture of mine superglued in. - Also attached is how I connected the LEDs. |
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nlaudy
Petty Officer
Posts: 171
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Post by nlaudy on May 22, 2015 14:45:00 GMT -6
I'll post a final photo tonight. Attachments:
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nlaudy
Petty Officer
Posts: 171
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Post by nlaudy on May 22, 2015 19:07:04 GMT -6
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Post by Simple Man on May 22, 2015 23:31:06 GMT -6
Nice. I can actually see your pics this morning. How do the wires run into the boat?
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Post by seagristle on May 26, 2015 11:51:36 GMT -6
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yolo
Ensign
Posts: 626
Location: Back to Manasquan Inlet, NJ
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Post by yolo on May 27, 2015 12:08:39 GMT -6
this is good work here, nice job!
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nlaudy
Petty Officer
Posts: 171
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Post by nlaudy on May 28, 2015 7:53:05 GMT -6
Sea, that is basically what I used but I found a pack of 50 with 5 different colors for like $7
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