Underwater lighting install help

[mkrebs86]

My girlfriend just got me 2 lights I need to install before the boat gets splashed in april. They are 8 LED 2700 lumens per light. I need to drill directly through the transom to run the wires behind the light and this is below the water line. It is a slightly stressful idea to drill holes into a perfectly good hull. Has any one installed any ligths of this sort before and what is the best type of sealant to use? Also, I have not assessed yet either how I want to wire these in and where to put the switch. any input from you guys would be great. Thanks!

 

[Kendall]

Most of what I have read says to use 4200 sealant behind the light and in the wire hole. We ran our wires to the fuse panel and added a new switch as the spares were already taken.

 

[Bucit]

Yes 4200 is fine. Don;t use 5200 beacuse if you need to remove them you have a chance to pull the gelcoat off. I ran the wires to my battery switches and installed a seperate switch. They're connected to the house battery with an inline fuse close to the battery connection. Pretty easy install.

 

[mkrebs86]

Thanks guys. I had heard different opinions on 4200 vs 5200 but I definately do not want to risk taking gel coat off if i ever need to replace lights so I guess 4200 is what I will order. I was thinking of running them off of a switch at the helm but havnt decided if I want to run that much wire yet. I'll just get them installed and worry about hooking up the wiring once it gets a bit warmer out.

 

[Ctsearay]

Yeah its a real queasy feeling when you take a drill to the hull the first time :smt089. But the second light won't be as bad LOL. It will be well worth it. I have to do the same this year, test the lights before you mount them JUST to be sure they work ok. Because you never know.

 

[tc410]

Just make sure you fill the holes with 4200 from inside the hull too.

 

[rumrunner]

You may want to drill the holes oversize then fill with epoxy then drill the correct size hole. The epoxy will act as a barrier to water intrusion. There are more than a few write ups on this site on how to do this and what to use.

 

[Ctsearay]

You may want to drill the holes oversize then fill with epoxy then drill the correct size hole. The epoxy will act as a barrier to water intrusion. There are more than a few write ups on this site on how to do this and what to use.

Hmmm I'm gonna hit the search function. I have never heard of that way, sounds interesting. Thanks

 

[AFD]

check out Masterfab's blog. he goes into detail with photo's of how rebedding is done the correct way. this would translate to your transom holes as well.

 

[AFD]

check out Masterfab's blog. he goes into detail with photo's of how rebedding is done the correct way. this would translate to your transom holes as well.

here you go..
http://searay340restoration.blogspot.com/