How do I change the radar arch and cockpit lights from white to blue led

340DA

Member
Jul 21, 2008
365
LI Sound
Boat Info
2000 Sundancer Sport Cruiser
Engines
454 Mercruiser w/Bravo III Drives
On my 2000 340DA, the lights on the radar arch are festoon shape white incandescent (24V10W). The cockpit lights are made by Attwood and they are also incandescent (not the festoon shape)

I've seem newer boats with blue LED lighting and they look terrific (in my opinion)

I am wondering if I can replace the incandescent bulbs with blue LEDs?

Has anyone done this?
 
On my 2000 340DA, the lights on the radar arch are festoon shape white incandescent (24V10W). The cockpit lights are made by Attwood and they are also incandescent (not the festoon shape)

I've seem newer boats with blue LED lighting and they look terrific (in my opinion)

I am wondering if I can replace the incandescent bulbs with blue LEDs?

Has anyone done this?

Yes, but there is a better option....

They make multiple color led lights. I updated them on my boat when I got the boat. You will like having white light for cleanup and the other colors for entertaining. They can be controlled from the standard switch.

This week I will be upgrading my updated lights for something better as I want more light. I should have a post next week if i get everything in for the weekend.

Let me know if you have any questions.

-Kevin
 
Yes, but there is a better option....

They make multiple color led lights. I updated them on my boat when I got the boat. You will like having white light for cleanup and the other colors for entertaining. They can be controlled from the standard switch.

This week I will be upgrading my updated lights for something better as I want more light. I should have a post next week if i get everything in for the weekend.

Let me know if you have any questions.

-Kevin
Kevin,
 
Kevin,
Where can I get the multi color lights from? Who can I contact to buy them from? If there are lights that I can use that are white, blue and/or red, that would be ideal. And they are controlled from the single solenoid switch on the dashboard?
 
Lots of bulb options available on eBay or Amazon. Just need to know what size you have and then you can order.
 
I just spent a few bucks and changed them to blue LEDs. Just bought the LED, with no fixture change, very inexpensive.
 
One thing to think about... the blue LED's will attract bugs...
 
Kevin,
Where can I get the multi color lights from? Who can I contact to buy them from? If there are lights that I can use that are white, blue and/or red, that would be ideal. And they are controlled from the single solenoid switch on the dashboard?

They are powered with the same 2-wire setup and controlled by toggling the switch you are using now. I just ordered a new set of light to replace/upgrade my previous recommendations. I am hesitant to recommend anything until I finish the install myself which will hopefully be this weekend.

-Kevin
 
I have the red/white/blue lights installed. Mine are made by ITC. The red is great for night cruising, white is always useful (a little too bright for entertaining) and as mentioned above, while blue looks cool it attracts bugs so I don't use it. Lumitech makes a great red/white/blue light that is dimmable but they are proud of them. If I were buying again I would probably pay the extra for the lumitechs to get the dimming feature.
 
I have the red/white/blue lights installed. Mine are made by ITC. The red is great for night cruising, white is always useful (a little too bright for entertaining) and as mentioned above, while blue looks cool it attracts bugs so I don't use it. Lumitech makes a great red/white/blue light that is dimmable but they are proud of them. If I were buying again I would probably pay the extra for the lumitechs to get the dimming feature.
 
Thanks... All good info
This seems to be what I am looking for. I want to swap out the incandescent bulbs and replace with the white/blue/red LED bulb.

I want to Use the existing Solenoid switch to toggle back and forth between colors.

Where can I buy these bulbs?
 
Thanks... All good info
This seems to be what I am looking for. I want to swap out the incandescent bulbs and replace with the white/blue/red LED bulb.

I want to Use the existing Solenoid switch to toggle back and forth between colors.

Where can I buy these bulbs?

They are not bulbs. They are sealed assemblies. The wire connection will need to be cut and re-crimped.

When I first updated I crimped male/female spade plugs which make them removable and will help during my next update.

Yes, I know technically all connections should only be crimped but these are low voltage and non-critical.

-Kevin
 
I assume these are those lights where you change colors by flipping the switch off and on. What happens if they get out of sync?

While it rarely happens it can occur. In that case just turn them off for a little while (maybe 10-20 seconds) and they will all go back to the starting color.

-Kevin
 
One thing to think about... the blue LED's will attract bugs...

+1. I'm changing back to white this year after several years of having blue LED's. Blue for bugs is terrible. They pile up around the lamps after 30 minutes. Unless you're underway, have a heck of a breeze or are running fans all over the place :)
 
I installed the ITCs last summer and love them. Plug and play, an exact fit. So much easier to install than the Lumitec's I did on my last boat...that weren't a direct fit and needed the hole enlarged.
 
I had Perko with festoon bulbs in the arch and attwoods for the courtesy lights (non-festoon) so I converted them all to Perkos. I bought remote control multicolor LED festoon bulbs on ebay and Now I can control every bulb independently up to 28 colors, flash them, fade them. Talk about a party boat. They also stay set to the last color used after you turn them back on. They're fun. Wife likes the purple.
 

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