How to wire transom lights?

[kennetht]

Hey everyone, I searched around a bit but could not find any answers. I have a 2013 AR190. I read on here that people who purchased transom lights wired them directly to the anchor light, that way you can control the underwater lights with the existing rocker switch at the dash.

For those that did that, how did you do it? I purchased two drain plug lights, one for each drain plug. Did you just splice the wires together and that was it? Did you install an inline fuse?

Thanks for the help!

 

[sunbyrned]

Check out the discussion on the forum I attached and see if it helps you at all. They are connecting a different set of lights to their anchor light, but the strategy is probably the same. Looks like you can get a specific toggle for this type of project. Scroll down until you get to the 3/16/2018 post and go from there.

Tips on re-wiring boat electrical - The Hull Truth - Boating and Fishing Forum

The Boating Forum - Tips on re-wiring boat electrical - This is the only other picture I have of the mess, when it was still zip-tied to the rest. It appears there's also a lot of excess yellow wire going to the ignition, I'll probably cut that and shorten it in effort to clean up the console...

www.thehulltruth.com

 

[Nexus]

that way you can control the underwater lights with the existing rocker switch at the dash.

Keep in mind that some states don't allow any lights, other than navigation, while under way at night. It'd be a bit embarrassing for the LEO to let you off with a warning only for you to be unable to turn 'em off as you motor away.

 

[zipper]

Hey everyone, I searched around a bit but could not find any answers. I have a 2013 AR190. I read on here that people who purchased transom lights...I purchased two drain plug lights, one for each drain plug...

Thanks for the help!

You bought two lights? For two drain plugs???

 

[kennetht]

You bought two lights? For two drain plugs???

Yeah I have two drain plugs on my 2013 AR190. One on each side below the jet

 

[marcham]

How much power do they draw? Which one did you order? What is the 12V breaker for the lights rated for?

You can probably get away with splicing into the Anchor light wiring if you do it close to the switch. The circuit is already protected by a breaker (below the switch), no need for additional fuses.

Wiring into the Anchor light circuit wouldn't affect anything in terms of legal night ops as it is underwater, but be aware that switching the Nav lights on also turns on the Anchor light (I'm 97% sure...).... now I got to go to the boat and flip some switches....

These are great for splices: Posi Products Posi Taps

Posi-Products™ Wire Connectors

6 tap connectors for 10- to 22-gauge wires tap into wires without cutting them

www.crutchfield.com

... there's a whole world of LED upgrades I hadn't considered for the boat....

 

[Nexus]

Wiring into the Anchor light circuit wouldn't affect anything in terms of legal night ops as it is underwater

Not entirely. This PDF, from the US Coast Guard, specifically mentions underwater lights. The second page has the following points:

Care must be taken that these lights:
• cannot be mistaken for navigation lights,
• do not impair the visibility or distinctive character of approved and properly placed navigation lights, and
• do not interfere with the operator’s ability to maintain a proper lookout.

It also goes on to say that, "blue underwater LED lights can appear to be flashing if there is any wave action, giving the appearance of a flashing blue light only authorized to be used by law enforcement vessels per 33 CFR 88.05. "

So it's up to you if you want to argue with the LEO that "My <pick your color> underwater/overwater lights don't resemble navigation lights, don't impair the visibility of my nav lights, don't interfere with my vision, and don't resemble police lights. Me, I'd prefer to just have a switch.

 

[kennetht]

How much power do they draw? Which one did you order? What is the 12V breaker for the lights rated for?

You can probably get away with splicing into the Anchor light wiring if you do it close to the switch. The circuit is already protected by a breaker (below the switch), no need for additional fuses.

Wiring into the Anchor light circuit wouldn't affect anything in terms of legal night ops as it is underwater, but be aware that switching the Nav lights on also turns on the Anchor light (I'm 97% sure...).... now I got to go to the boat and flip some switches....

These are great for splices: Posi Products Posi Taps

Posi-Products™ Wire Connectors

6 tap connectors for 10- to 22-gauge wires tap into wires without cutting them

www.crutchfield.com

... there's a whole world of LED upgrades I hadn't considered for the boat....

I ordered two of the typhon lights, no clue how much power they draw.

THE TYPHON

Why does it have to be spliced in close to the rocker switch? I was planning on splicing it in right underneath where the anchor light mount is.

You are also correct, turning on the nav lights turns on both the nav lights and anchor light. That would work great for me, because whenever I need the nav lights on, its nighttime, therefore I want the underwater lights on, and if I am just sitting at the dock, I can put the switch onto anchor light only and have just the underwater lights on, with the anchor light not in the adapter.

 

[sunbyrned]

The triple toggle I suggested was intended for the option of being able to turn off the transom lights and keep your navigation and anchor or just anchor on when you wanted them. I suggested it because some are saying in other threads that it’s illegal to have the transom lights on while moving. Might be worth considering.

 

[kennetht]

These are great for splices: Posi Products Posi Taps

Posi-Products™ Wire Connectors

6 tap connectors for 10- to 22-gauge wires tap into wires without cutting them

www.crutchfield.com

... there's a whole world of LED upgrades I hadn't considered for the boat....

Those look awesome, can't believe I've never heard of them before. I'll definitely be ordering them if I decide splice into the anchor light wiring.

 

[Nexus]

Those look awesome, can't believe I've never heard of them before. I'll definitely be ordering them if I decide splice into the anchor light wiring.

Posi-Taps are the best! Super easy to use. The only negative I've come up with so far is that they are not waterproof.