LED cockpit lighting-anyone have pics or ideas???

Skuza

Skuza

Well-Known Member
Nov 1, 2006
1,458
Lake St Clair, MI
Boat Info
400 Sundancer
Engines
7.4L Horizons
I want to install some led's in either the factory fixtures or run some rope lights under the cockpit seats simply for cool looks. Has anyone done it? Where to buy rope lights cheap? I seen some decent prices at seasonal fireflys website for rope lighting. I tried searching the the forums but not a whole lot turned up for LED's.
Pics would be great of any mods!
 
Quite a few options on that link JLevine. Can you give us some suggestions about which bulbs fit the existing fixtures, brightness, color of light (cool white, warm white), etc. As Skuza says a photo would help..

It's safe to say that a lot of us will replace our bulbs - your advice could save us making bad choices on the initial purchase!

Many thanks,
Warren
 
I cant locate my notes on the bulbs I ordered as the stuff is on the boat and unfortunatly I am not! As I recall I actually just measured the length of the standard bulbs and then ordered the LED model that matched the length. Sorry I dont have any better guidance.....
 
Yes I would like to know the size and the type you used. They have several different ones that have different bulb arrangements and wondering which ones cast the best light. The prices also vary widely-under a buck up to $14 per bulb!
 
I will get on the boat on Sunday and I will get the P/N off one of the spares I ordered.
 
I dont know if this may help or not, but here is a pic of the cockpit of my 230. (sorry for the quality, pic was taken with cell phone) I used an OPTYX undercar kit made by streetglow. Their sealed LED, the tubes are clear plastic (flex) and have a few different modes, I.E, chase, flash, go with music, etc. Kit came with 2 48" tubes and 2 36" tubes, controller, wiring, etc. I paid $244 to my door off Ebay. I have a little crevice on either side about 6" deep that I mounted them in. I can get better pictures of the setup if your interested.

lights.jpg
 
I ordered the Festoon bulbs from Superbright today. I bought one that is 39mm with 6 bulbs for the indirect light on the cabin steps. I bought 6, 44mm bulbs in white, 2 amber and 2 blue for the cockpit. I bought the two different colors so I can change up the 2 fixtures on the arch. Hope they look cool! The only thing I'm wondering if is what "white" is. I understand cool white looks like a high intensity bulb with blueish tint.
I still want to do the rope lighting under the cockpit seats but can't make up my mind what color, blue or red. I have some led christmas lights that I'm going to mock up so I can visualize the colors first.
Mods are cool! :grin:
 
I guess you were able to find the correct specs and yes the white does look like a high intensity bulb with a blueish tint
 
Skuza let us know if those amber arch lights are bright enough to read with and a subjective impression about whether they are brighter than the original festoon bulbs - that will give an idea of intensity.
Thanks,
Warren
 
I will get pics as soon as they are installed. Hope to have em by friday.
I did remove the original bulbs and measure them.
I figure the amber ones might be more liveable when the bugs come out but wanted to have something to chang em up for the cool factor.
The website does list other bulbs with the "cool white" designation. The bulbs I bought were just listed as "white". Guess I'll have to wait and see. I'm hoping for the cool white color.
 
While on this subject, I had a problem with a small amount of water collecting in one of the lights that is mounted under the radar arch, probably dripping from some canvas snap or an antenna screw, anway the water got into the LED light and screwed it up. I removed the fixture and sealed it up with some silicone to prevent this from happening again. If you are changing out these lights you may want to do the same....
 
Do a search on this sight. Wesley did a really nice cockpit light modification just a few months ago and he posted pics. His came out really nice.
 
As far as colors go, I've got blue LED's to install in my boat, but my Audi uses red dash and overhead lighting. Apparently, it's easier for our eyes with the red colors. (I'm sure others can add more to this, but it's something to do with how our Iris reacts I believe) All I know is it's easy to see things in the Audi, and it creates a nice red glow when you put things in the light.
 
Sorry to bring up an old thread but did anyone take pics of the leds in their boat? I am about to order either the cool white or blue.
 
Red lights serve two purposes. First they protect your night vision. So if you are going to use them while running at night, red may be the best option. Second, red is not as visible from afar as other colors. Red can provide enough light for short distances. Those that want others two see their lights from afar will want blue or white.
 
I have the blue lights in the arch lights and the cool white in all other cockpit lights. That way I can have either or both for different effects.
 
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