Project Sunday...
 

Well today instead of taking her out I decided to dress her up for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. So I started with LED's. I had previously installed some LED lights here and there but as my wife said today "I have gone loco".

So I toyed with the console gauge lights and I decided to go Red. I had a few red LED lights laying around so I tried them in several gauges and what a difference.

On the fuel gauge I had a bright white LED and I thought it would be too bright at night. The speedometer has a regular incandecent red bulb I found at a local autoparts store but did not have the brightness of the LED on the Trim and Clock gauge. The other gauges still had the standard white incandecent bulbs.

While I was at it I finished my stereo console (almost) and cup holders. All the cup holders (x6) are lit up inside and out with blue LED's on a dedicated switch. They also have a Lexan ring under each one that is also lit by LED lights. I also finished (previous project) installing LEDs in all my speakers (except subs cause I ran out of LED's) and are switched together with the cup holders.

My stereo console is made of 1/4" Lexan painted black on the mounted side (back). Originally had 2 switches mounted but I expanded to 4 switches for the underwater LED lights in 2 weeks. I also installed a waterproof USB connector console mounted (can remember where I put it so it is not mounted in pic) that plugs into my stereo. Still to finish this console will be a 12vdc outlet, and the edge of the console as well as around the stereo will be backlit with LED's.

Next I also installed 2 waterproof stereo remote units one on the transom and one in the front by the anchor locker. These are self lit and they are wired to my dimmer as well.

Finally I had enough time to install a new skeg guard and rebuild my speedometer paddle wheel assembly. Whew!

:wink_thumbup:Miller Time!!!

Re: Project Sunday...
 

Simply AWESOME!!!

Re: Project Sunday...
 

That looks awesome!!! I have thought about upgrading the lights in my boat as well.. I have two lights that I plan on mounting sometime on the insides of the hull. They are LED strips that were made for running boards/nerf bars. They switch from amber to white. I thought I would mount them in the sides of the boat.. and I bought a few LED lights that I plan on adding inside the storage compartments and in front of the bow. I love the cup holders that light up as well. I may consider some of those if I find a good deal on them.

Re: Project Sunday...
 

Man very sharp! The cup holder LEDs are a nice touch.

Re: Project Sunday...
 

The cup holders were the cheapest of all. Each led runs about $1.99 at SuperbrightLEDs.com (LD1 series). I also used these in each speaker. I just ordered another 20. You can always find somewhere to put these and are tiny (8x8 mm) with adhesive backing. The tricky part was making the Lexan (plexiglass) rings. Lots of hand shaping to get them to fit.

Re: Project Sunday...
 

Very nice !! :wink_thumbup: :worshippy:

What did you use to fill in around your kenwood stereo? Black plexi?

Re: Project Sunday...
 

Clear 1/4" Lexan (plexiglass). I spray painted the back gloss black so you get a deep shiny effect.

Re: Project Sunday...
 

Thanks !!.... I'm going to try that out.

Have to look into the LED lighting ... looks awesome !!

Re: Project Sunday...
 

Finally finished installing my underwater lights... Whew! Not for the weak at heart. Drilling more holes in my boat sucks but the after-effect is awesome. She leave a beautiful wake of green or blue or both.

Here are the lights half finished
https://public.sn2.livefilestore.com...987.JPG?psid=1

Here are the green lights on...
https://public.sn2.livefilestore.com...621.JPG?psid=1

Finally, here is the one Blue light on. The other blue light I ran out of wire inside the boat and store is 15 miles away, so this weekend I will finish her up.
https://public.sn2.livefilestore.com...625.JPG?psid=1

Re: Project Sunday...
 

WOW, that is great! Nice job, no fishes will sleep near your slip!

Re: Project Sunday...
 

I just checked out the LED lights at superbright, going to order 10 tomorrow. Did you use 2 per cup holder? I am also wondering how you tied all the 3' wires on each light together. Did you extend and run all the wires to one location and then feed the power from the toggle switch? Or is it as easy as twisting them all together and crimping to power supply wire? Sorry about all the questions, just think what you did looks great.

Re: Project Sunday...
 

I actually drilled a small hole on each cupholder (where the side and bottom meet) and glued the LED to that. As for the power, I ran 2 wires (hot/ground) all around the boat to a switch and wired the switch to a fuse block I installed under the dash. I then connected my fuse block hot terminal to the accesory battery via a 12vdc/30A relay so the fuse block only works when the key is in ACC or RUN position (prevents me from leaving lights by accident). My relay is also connected to the ignition switch and that is where it gets it's signal from to turn on the fuse block.
I then just connected the LED's to the ground and hot wires than run all around the boat.

Sounds a lot more complicated than it really is. I think I have a drawing of my LED circuit I would be more than happy to share. I will upload it as soon as I get home tonight.

Re: Project Sunday...
 

Thanks, I would appreciate any drawing or help. it's supposed to be 104 degrees here in south carolina this weekend, too hot for the lake. Good weekend to work on the boat in the shade.