New Nav Lights

[Joseph Baxter]

 

[Joseph Baxter]

I will post a write up on how I did it if anyone is interested.

 

[GTBRMC]

I will post a write up on how I did it if anyone is interested.

Please do

 

[MikeyL]

Pretty Kewl. I am also very interested.
Happy upcoming "4th" to you !
Mikey Lulejian - Lake Oconee, GA

 

[Joseph Baxter]

As always I am sure there are many ways to do this but this is how I went about the installation.

Lights: http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|65136|2312550|2312557&id=1883484
(got mine in black to match the area of installation)

Other material:



The lights only came with these small non-stainless screws so I went to Home Depot and picked these #6 x 5/8 up for a few bucks.




***I would suggest testing these lights prior to drilling any holes in the event they are not working. I just hooked them to a 12V battery****


1. I removed the nav light receptacle to access the existing wiring (Grey is the positive black is the negative)


2. I taped up the area I thought I would want to do the install. Wanted to keep it between the front cleat and the bow so the cleat did not obstruct the light at all.





3. Measure the distance from the cleat for the center or where you want the nav light to go. I checked the measurements on the port and starboard side cleats to verify they were equal in distance.


4. Once I got the placement I wanted I used the foam pads provided as a template for my holes.




5. Drill holes just big enough to accommodate the wire with butt connectors and heat shrink. For the screws I looked up the pilot hole size on the internet.



6. Remove the speakers to make it easier to run the wires.

7. Sorry but storms were threatening my progress so I did not take any more photos for times sake....Run new wire from the port and starboard side holes you drilled to the bow nav light hole. Be careful to not let the wires fall back in the holes as you will have to fish them back out. Tie positives of the new nav light wires together and the same with the negatives. Cut the existing nav light wires (Grey and black) and using butt connectors tie the grey wires into the reds of the new nav lights and the black wires to the black wires of the new nav lights. Doing this you will still have the "stripper pole" nav light as a backup in the event one of the new ones burns out.

8. Now all that is left is to tidy up and mount the new nav lights. Put the bow receptacle back in place. The lights I bought came with a plastic cover and I did not feel comfortable with the way they did not snap together. So I dabbed a little liquid nails to the inside of the cover to secure them a bit more.

If you have any questions please let me know. I love that I no longer have to fish the pole out and mount it....all I have to do is flip a switch.

 

[ScarabMike]

Great how to! The lights look great. Now you can use that port for a search/flood light!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Boat-Marine...-Lights-Remote-Contol-Spotlight-/260942184424

Or a base for a nice gas grill!

 

[Joseph Baxter]

Ha ha...I almost passed out when I am saw the cost....I was thinking "oh now that's cool....(sees price) holy $h!t!!!

 

[ScarabMike]

LOL!!! I know man. I want to try to ghetto a set up by using some China built LEDs. Cant be that hard to do.

 

[Joseph Baxter]

No it cannot. I might look into that or just stick with the wife and calling out point directions..."honey can I get a spot on port side" ....*light shines on aft

 

[jet set]

Hey, Im wanting to install permanent navigation lights like you did, but I want to make sure my placement is within coast guard regulations. Can you advise please. Great tutorial post BTW.