NEW LIGHTING

[FLOUNDERPOUNDER225]

Just put this new light bar on this weekend, a vendor on The Hull Truth boating forum is selling these http://www.thehulltruth.com/parts-forum ... -45-a.html since the light bar already has the switches built into it, there's no need to pull a switched leg, and since most of us already have wiring going up into the bimini for the anchor light or an overhead light (in my case) it was super easy to install. He has two types Red/White or Blue/White, and for anchoring or hanging at the island at night, or boarding folks at night this light is incredible.

[Wreck Tangle]

Is that a Tahoe or Avalon?

[Cpl0724]

dumb question, but I can just splice into the anchor light (in my case) wiring that runs up the bimini? Also, how did you affix it to the bimini support, looks like zip ties in the photo?

Looks like a great solution!

[BobL]

^^^Cpl0724^^^

I would be careful splicing into the Anchor light but if you have no other choice, make sure the LED light bar is switched independently so you can cut off the LED light bar when the anchor light is on.

I have an Excursion that has Anchor/Nav, Courtesy, and Mood switches. The "Mood" switch controls the small/dim LED blue lights that are under the seats and a small blue LED strip that is mounted underside of the bimini. The bimini has its' own switch that I can turn on/off.

The reason I suggest a switched bimini LED strip is those things can put out some serious light and you may find it hard to see at night with the bimini LED on. Obviously you need your anchor/nav light on while underway but you may run into some visibility issues with both anchor and LED on while underway.

That is my $0.02 but obviously, your mileage may vary.

[mpilot]

This one has 2 switches, one for each color, built in. You can tie it into the factory lighting and then turn it on or off at the unit.

Where did you mount this? By that I mean which bimini pole

[FLOUNDERPOUNDER225]

CAPT. MPILOT, is correct, the light bar has its own switches to select white, blue or both. It attaches with stainless clips that take one screw into the Bimini bow, then snaps onto the extruded aluminum bar. Light the night vendor is sending me two extra clips, here is why: the Bimini bow has a radius, the clips attached at both ends, they slide on the extrusion so they could go anywhere. But at the ends they make the ends of the light bar flush with the Bimini frame. Now there is about a 1/2 to 5/8 inch gap in the middle of the 23 inch extrusion, but the aluminum is flexible, so with two extra clips, I can pull the middle section down and keep the spacing even along the length of the light bar. The boat is a Berkshire which is the same as the excursion, I have the same switched light up on the Bimini bow, and it is on the second bow back from the front bow, of the 4 bow top, it angles slightly forward, it will only be used at anchor, on the beach at night, or docked at a restaurant for boarding and departing the boat. My original light up there was only "hot" when the navy light switch was on, either full running lights or anchor light, so hooking it to your anchor light power leads would work fine, very low amperage draw with led, and it has its own inline fuse. Hope I answered all the questions. If your looking for a full all around blue or red cool led that will light your entire deck area and no extensive wiring to do, this is the ticket.

[FLOUNDERPOUNDER225]

[quote="Cpl0724"]dumb question, but I can just splice into the anchor light (in my case) wiring that runs up the bimini? Also, how did you affix it to the bimini support, looks like zip ties in the photo?

Looks like a great solution![/quote]

The zip ties are just securing the wire lead, see my description below on how it attaches.

[Cpl0724]

Thanks for the info! I am seriously considering getting the white/blue one for use only while anchored or docked. I don't have a switch to dedicate to it, so I like that it is built in. How long are the wire leads?

[NonHyphenAmerican]

Looks nice.

[FLOUNDERPOUNDER225]

[quote="Cpl0724"]Thanks for the info! I am seriously considering getting the white/blue one for use only while anchored or docked. I don't have a switch to dedicate to it, so I like that it is built in. How long are the wire leads?[/quote]


Probably 18-20 inches, you could easily attach this to the rear Bimini bow where your anchor light is located (assuming that is where it is) so you wouldn't need much wire length at all