mattp33 Posted June 18, 2014 Report Posted June 18, 2014 So I saw these super cool LED boat lights from Bluewater at Bass Pro and they were on sale. Well I have wanted to light up my compartments for a while so I grabbed them. So on the box it says it has 4 20 inch compartments, when I got it home and opened it it only had 4 10 inch lights. When I called Bluewater they simply said it was a typo on the box, after a very long pause (me waiting for her to tell me how we are going to fix) She said have a nice day and hung up the phone. The customer service was horrible and non-existant. I called back to simply find out weather I could order the 4 20 inch strips I need and she said that the shipping to canada would be very expensive and to just buy another kit. Well then I have lots of light i dont want and still no 20 inch compartment lights. I will make this work so I started to install some of them last night. The livewell lights are going to be awesome. All the compartments will be white light and the decl will be blue. I also made this Devider yesterday as when I got the boat it didn't have 1. The fish were so hard to get out as they had a lot of room to swim. I had a lot of trouble drilling holes in it. Anyone know an easy way? Also should I make more holes up higher just incase the water sloshes around while on the water. First compartment is lit, more to follow I used these tap conectors to tie into power from the stern light. This comes on when my anchor light switch is turned on. The deck lights will be on a seperate switch. I have a lot of wiring to do over the next few days! Stay tuned for more pics
BillM Posted June 18, 2014 Report Posted June 18, 2014 Nice, I just picked up some LEDs for the boat as well. Gotta stop being lazy and actually install them.
mattp33 Posted June 18, 2014 Author Report Posted June 18, 2014 It is kinda duanting to start for sure, I am going to take my time and plan, plan and plan some more
DanD Posted June 18, 2014 Report Posted June 18, 2014 When you're doing the rewiring get rid of the Scotchloc connectors; they have to be the worse for corrosion and rotting wiring. Use an un-insulated barrel connectors or solder along with shrink tube. It'll save you a whole bunch of grief in the future. Dan.
misfish Posted June 18, 2014 Report Posted June 18, 2014 X2 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Good start though Matt. As for the devider. I would make larger holes 1', and take it up to about 3 inches of the top. Use a hole saw. Are you using lexan or pex? I would go with lexan. Stronger and easy to drill.
mattp33 Posted June 18, 2014 Author Report Posted June 18, 2014 (edited) I think its plex, I got it for cheap so I didnt argue lol I do think I need more or bigger holes. I thought these conectors were the easiest way to go, I jammed dielectric greese in them? This is the very starting point for power to these lights so I will take your advice and change them to prevent future probs Thanks for the advice Edited June 18, 2014 by mattp33
misfish Posted June 18, 2014 Report Posted June 18, 2014 (edited) I think its plex, I got it for cheap so I didnt argue lol Cheap is right. For the size of the devider,I would pick up a piece of lexan. JMO If you want to take it one step further,Look for nylon. Edited June 18, 2014 by Misfish
mattp33 Posted June 18, 2014 Author Report Posted June 18, 2014 I'm not looking forward to doing that again lmao!!! If it breaks then I will start looking for something else, it was a lesson in frustration trying to fit that. The livewell does not have a straight,flat or level side to it!!!
misfish Posted June 18, 2014 Report Posted June 18, 2014 I'm not looking forward to doing that again lmao!!! If it breaks then I will start looking for something else, it was a lesson in frustration trying to fit that. The livewell does not have a straight,flat or level side to it!!! Thats why you use cardboard to work out your template. Once you have the fit then you cut and make a nice fit.
Sinker Posted June 18, 2014 Report Posted June 18, 2014 When you're doing the rewiring get rid of the Scotchloc connectors; they have to be the worse for corrosion and rotting wiring. Use an un-insulated barrel connectors or solder along with shrink tube. It'll save you a whole bunch of grief in the future. Dan. Yep, this ^. Get rid of those. They will cause you grief for sure. S.
mattp33 Posted June 30, 2014 Author Report Posted June 30, 2014 Finally got around to intstall the rest of the compartment lights in the boat over the weekend. Also fixed some rookie wiring mistakes I am very happy of how it turned out. I even got out to smallmouth country and got my first few smallies of the year. Nothing big but a strong healthy simcoe smallie
mattp33 Posted June 30, 2014 Author Report Posted June 30, 2014 Thanks next up is the deck lighting, got a deck blaster kit to add to the package in blue
Spanky80 Posted June 30, 2014 Report Posted June 30, 2014 Looking good! I have Bluewater's in my Stratos, great product!
Lucky Linda Posted July 1, 2014 Report Posted July 1, 2014 Now there's a great idea. I would like that...next boat.
mattp33 Posted August 11, 2014 Author Report Posted August 11, 2014 Got a few of the deck lights on in hope of some night fishing next week, I love how its turning out
davey buoy Posted August 11, 2014 Report Posted August 11, 2014 I like it too,nice job Matt,really looking good!!!!!!!!
2 tone z71 Posted August 11, 2014 Report Posted August 11, 2014 that's awesome !! ...nice job I want some
misfish Posted August 12, 2014 Report Posted August 12, 2014 LOL Other anglers are going to think it,s some kind of alien vessel out there.LOL Looks cool.
Lucky Linda Posted August 12, 2014 Report Posted August 12, 2014 I should not be looking at this post lol
mattp33 Posted August 13, 2014 Author Report Posted August 13, 2014 LOL Other anglers are going to think it,s some kind of alien vessel out there.LOL Looks cool. I can see it now!!! UFO sighting on lake simcoe, seen by hundreds. Goverment claims it is a downed weather balloon.... LMAO Thanks guys cant wait to get the rear deck done! Anyone ever seen a rear nav light stick thing with LED's?
lookinforwalleye Posted August 13, 2014 Report Posted August 13, 2014 add the disco ball and DJ and your golden!!!
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