LED Lighting in the engine room

[RobnBern]

Hello everyone,

I'm thinking about ways to improve the lighting in my engine room. I've considered doing 12 volt LED rope lighting and just tapping power from one of the 5 or so 12v halogen lights currently in the room. It's really dark, especially in the far corner by the generator. But, before I do it, I'd like to hear from the CSR crew. I'm not married to the idea of LED rope but I do need to improve the lighting situation down there. Thanks much.

RJ

 

[MasterFab]

I lit my engine room with waterproof LED rope lighting, and couldn't be happier. I simply ran the "rope" around the entire hatch opening, and tied the wiring into the existing light fixtures. To reduce current draw, I replaced the conventional light bulbs in the factory fixtures with LED bulbs. My total current draw now is less than before, and total light output is far higher, with no shadows or dark areas. There is more info in my blog, along with a few pics. It is well worth doing..........

Dale

 

[KevinS]

Dale - your blog is incredible! I just spent the last couple of hours reading all of it. I'm in awe of your skills and progress, beautiful job!

Kevin

 

[MasterFab]

Kevin,

Thank you for the kind words. The blog is there for just this reason, to help other boaters.

Dale

 

[chandalen]

Any suggestions to keep the LED rope lighting ATTACHED to the boat!?? It seems the humitity and heat likes to melt the glue backing...

 

[MasterFab]

My LED strip is contained within a flat, clear silicone tube. So, I used silicone adhesive, and glued the entire length of the strip to the underside of the hatch. After 2 years, not even a small section has failed. In fact, it is quite an effort to pull the stuff down. I couldn't be happier with it. I actually prefer to work in my engine room at night now - no sun beating down, cooler temperatures, and great lighting that's easier on the eyes.

Dale

 

[RobnBern]

Dale,

where did you get your LED's? I searched thru your blog, which is AWESOME BTW, but couldn't find the information on lighting. But, it sounds like I'm already on the same page with what I want to do. So, now it's a matter of taking suggestions.

Thanks......RJ

 

[deeman]

Wow! What a great blog. Never was aware of it until now. Great job Dale!!

Dale - your blog is incredible! I just spent the last couple of hours reading all of it. I'm in awe of your skills and progress, beautiful job!

Kevin

 

[MasterFab]

This is the stuff I used. Just be sure, if you cut it, to reseal the end caps with a bit of silicone. That way, you maintain the waterproof aspect.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/390152607207?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Dale

 

[Gunn]

I lit my engine room with waterproof LED rope lighting, and couldn't be happier. I simply ran the "rope" around the entire hatch opening, and tied the wiring into the existing light fixtures. To reduce current draw, I replaced the conventional light bulbs in the factory fixtures with LED bulbs. My total current draw now is less than before, and total light output is far higher, with no shadows or dark areas. There is more info in my blog, along with a few pics. It is well worth doing..........

Dale

I keep up on Dale's blog...some of my favorite reading! And I've bookmarked the entry on the lighting around the hatch. I want to do the same, but didn't know the exact item and the details that were used to affix it. Thanks for the link to the lights!

Tom

 

[Loneranger]

I used a very similar LED strip under my cabinet in the galley which is a wonderful addition. I replaced the bulbs in the ER with LEDs which is brighter with less current draw but still has some dark spots. I will likely add a strip under hatch this winter. Love the idea.

John

 

[electricaldoctor]

I guess that I did not read his blog thoroughly enough because I did not find any reference to the LED lighting. Terrific blog & very well done.

 

[MasterFab]

It is a bit obscure - it's in the December 24, 2010 post. I did not dedicate a post to just the lighting, as I never thought it would be something of such interest.

Dale

 

[themikehyde]

I think I lookd at all your Dec 2010 entries, but did not see anything on the lights.

 

[Gunn]

I think I lookd at all your Dec 2010 entries, but did not see anything on the lights.

See the Christmas Eve post (2010) titled "Vacuflush Vacuum Generator". Yes...that is where the brief mention of the LED's around the engine hatch is located!! :smt001

 

[themikehyde]

Thanks, found it!

 

[kevin27]

Put a couple of these in your E/R and you will never have a shadow.http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/hstrial-QualiRegResou/-strse-LED-Lights/Categories.bok

 

[hottoddie]

This summer I installed LED rope lighting from "noveltylights.com". I installed a total of 28' of the "cool white" rope lights mounted in the clear plastic tracks they offer. Attached the tracks to the bottom of the deck stringers using 3M 2 faced tape after cleaning the stringers with acetone. So far the are still sticking fine and the amount of light is just right.

 

[Gunn]

Put a couple of these in your E/R and you will never have a shadow.http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/hstrial-QualiRegResou/-strse-LED-Lights/Categories.bok

Interesting. But they are almost 4x the cost that Dale used, harder to conceal, and I'm sure will blind you if looking at them. The rope lights being around the hatch I think would give off a nice light that won't get in the way.

 

[RobnBern]

Dale, I'm about to order the lights but I've got a question. How do you splice them together? They come in 5m rolls and it's gonna take more than that to go around my hatch. Thoughts?? And where did you get the "case" thing you described to put them in?

Thanks
Robin