LED Lighting for 243 VRX UPDATED & COMPLETED

[Cut2thechase]

I thought I'd post on the progress of installing blue LED on my 2017 243 VRX. I took a little bit different approach by tying into the existing bullet LED lights that are already on the boat instead of running separate wires. Yes, there are a few more connection points but I tested each one as I installed and secured them.

These photos are of the 4 I installed yesterday afternoon. I have 6 more to do. I will put 2 on each side of the bench seats. There's a small LED there to splice into. I'll also tuck 1 under each transom seat.

I work with LED outdoor landscape lighting so I have a little experience with lighting but it's still simple to do. Please feel free to ask any questions if I can help anyone.

I may try to finish next weekend so I'll continue to post progress & a finished product.

 

[Cut2thechase]

I had time to put in the 4 bench seat LED's, 2 on each side. 1 over the center of the "OH SHIT" handle and 1 over the rear cup holder.

I didn't have a chance to take a pic at night. Those will hopefully get posted this weekend when I install the transom back rest lights & do a completion shot.

I'm by no means an electrician but these 4 took less than 1.5 hours to do! The LED's are just from Amazon, no issues so far.... ?

Thanks for checking it out!

 

[Beachbummer]

I purchased a strip a few years ago and it went dim from very light use at home. Any tips on selecting something that will last?

 

[Cut2thechase]

I would first read any 1or 2 Star reviews on any lighting product. Any light that has a high amperage draw is going to burn out quicker because of the initial hit it take to turn the light on. The higher the lumens are the brighter the light is going to be and more chance of a quicker burnout. For me brighter in the cabin of a boat isn't better. In my experience with landscape LED lighting the lights that have the ability to change color seem to burn out quicker than the ones that are a constant color also. I honestly haven't had much experience with LED boat lighting. I put the underwater LED transom drain plug light in just last year & unfortunately the boating season is over here in NE so I'll see how everything holds up in the cold under the mooring cover and a tarp!!

 

[Cut2thechase]

Finished up the transom lights today. These 2 took half the day & were the hardest to do. I connected them off the starboard side lights which was relatively easy with the snake. Taking off the back rest cushions took a little time too. The vent hoses made for a good mounting point for the wiring though. As you can see in the pic I didn't put the plastic chrome bezel on these. (1) you won't see them & (2) I wanted to mount them as high as possible on the back rest. The lights are around 4" wide without the bezel so I could only go so high because of the 2 vents.

Check out the pics & let me know if anyone has any questions!

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Looks great!

What brand of lights did you use?

 

[Cut2thechase]

I did a little research but really mostly went with ones that had decent reviews and lumen output. The way I wired them in they'll be much easier to replace, except the the transom seat ones than they were to initially install.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Thanks!

 

[Heizen]

I have both the red and white lights, which are pure and bright without overbearing intensity. They give off white or amber lights that are bright enough to read a book.

 

[Cut2thechase]

I'm all for the more is better with the lighting! Inside or outside the boat! I went with just blue because it's a blue boat and I like the ambience of the shadowing. We do very little night time boating and these lights will primarily be used on or floating near the dock or slip.