Whole Boat LED install

[David D]

Bumping this to add some more information, and another question.

1. I bought some 6300 silicone adhesive from Advance Auto because the 3M tape that came on my LEDs didn't work at all. This stuff is TOUGH. It dries clear, too so you don't have to be perfect. Seems to be a great option for semi-permanently mounting the strips.

2. Question. I am looking for a a no-solder connector that will put a 4-prong male end on a bare extension wire. I have looked everywhere, I have the connectors that go straight from the wire to the LED strip, but I need to make a custom extension to go from a strip to a female connector. Has anyone found these anywhere? It seems like a very basic product but for some reason it's not coming up on my Amazon or Ebay searches.

I'm not looking to solder/shrink wrap anything. I'm using silicone sealant on my connectors to ensure they stay together and to waterproof them.

I'm not sure if this helps or not. This is what I used, then used silicone. It's different than what I was thinking in my head -- I was thinking something more "linear" with an input and and output. But this joins 4 wires easily without solder or shrink wrap. Is that what you're trying to do? They come in designs that connect 2, 3, 4, 5 (maybe more) wires.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ideal-34-Yellow-In-Sure-4-Port-Connector-100-Pack-30-1034P/202894312

 

[MOA_Chaser]

I'm not sure if this helps or not. This is what I used, then used silicone. It's different than what I was thinking in my head -- I was thinking something more "linear" with an input and and output. But this joins 4 wires easily without solder or shrink wrap. Is that what you're trying to do? They come in designs that connect 2, 3, 4, 5 (maybe more) wires.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ideal-34-Yellow-In-Sure-4-Port-Connector-100-Pack-30-1034P/202894312

No, basically I want to simply add this to the end of a wire without soldering. If I HAVE to, I'll solder, but I vastly prefer not to.

 

[txav8r]

I don't know of any connector that connects to the bare wire and then has the plug or led strip connector on the other end. I have used the double strip end connectors and just soldered wire to the connector tabs but with limited success. The connectors are pretty much a fail for me. My son and I installed about 60' of LED RGB strip in my granddaughters room, in cove moulding below ceiling height. It is really nice and they love it. But we have a color bleed that happens occasionally. I thought it was voltage loss at first as I ran the leads two directions so about two spools per lead. This was recommended by the power supply manufacturer. It didn't matter, I was still getting this color bleed or variation occasionally in one specific area. My son kept messing with them and it is the connectors that are not accurately holding the strips. I can't figure why sometimes the colors are correct and other times they are not, but it is the connectors that allow one color to touch the one next to it. So I can tell you that the connectors will cause problems. I soldered and used silicone and heat shrink in the boat. This problem is in a temperature stable and non moving house. In a boat, connectors are a fail in my opinion...just way too much vibration and temperature, humidity, moisture, and unintended strip contact. But they are much quicker to set up initially, that's for sure. If only they would stay that way.

 

[txav8r]

Here is the room...

 

[jcyamaharider]

@MOA_Chaser I think this is what you are after. Well not exactly but maybe a step in the right direction.

https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...ight-strip-pigtail-connector-clamp/1040/2499/

 

[MOA_Chaser]

@MOA_Chaser I think this is what you are after. Well not exactly but maybe a step in the right direction.

https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...ight-strip-pigtail-connector-clamp/1040/2499/

Kindasorta... I think I already have those, but then I'm getting into soldering those 4 wire pairs together. Looking to avoid that.

I have these to go from wire to strip. I can't believe they don't make one to go from wire to male end. https://www.amazon.com/Alightings-Connector-Connect-Applicable-Non-Waterproof/dp/B01MU7FKUK

 

[txav8r]

Those are even new products since I did any of my installs. Maybe they will be out with, or already have them out, and you just haven't found the ones your wanting?

 

[jcyamaharider]

Maybe something like this?

https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...4-locking-connector-pigtail-power-cable/1972/

https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/power-cables/lc4-locking-connector-interconnect/1970/

 

[MOA_Chaser]

Those are even new products since I did any of my installs. Maybe they will be out with, or already have them out, and you just haven't found the ones your wanting?

I'm hoping that's the case. Often the difference between finding a product and not finding it is just not having the right terminology. On top of that, it's pretty difficult to see exactly what is what in the product photos.

 

[txav8r]

I'm hoping that's the case. Often the difference between finding a product and not finding it is just not having the right terminology. On top of that, it's pretty difficult to see exactly what is what in the product photos.

That is a fact! The right wording is key.

 

[jeff_s]

Prob ultra stupid question. But here I go:

I ordered a LED rob 5050 kit from amazon. The led strip has a plug on the end. The plug plugs into a box. The box has a hole for 12vdc.

Is there another peice I need to buy to plug into the box that has black/red pigtails?
Like this maybe?


The kit Also has a D.C./ac converter box with a 120v ac plug which I obviously don't need.

 

[txav8r]

@jeff_s , it will depend on the entirety of the kit, and what it was designed to do. As you mentioned, it came with an ac/dc converter. It all depends on how you wire it. If you want to "plug" it in, you need to have the female plug as you have pictured above. At some point, you have to join actual wires, either with a connector or soldering them.

 

[jeff_s]

@jeff_s , it will depend on the entirety of the kit, and what it was designed to do. As you mentioned, it came with an ac/dc converter. It all depends on how you wire it. If you want to "plug" it in, you need to have the female plug as you have pictured above. At some point, you have to join actual wires, either with a connector or soldering them.

I ordered this kit from amazon

WenTop Led Strip Lights Kit DC12V UL Listed Power Supply Waterproof SMD 5050 16.4 Ft (5M) 300leds RGB 60leds/m with 44key Ir Remote Controller for Kicthen Bedroom Sitting Room and Outdoor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X7JUN0I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_aMtuzbMY6S5GP

 

[Jimejoe]

Turned these on a few nights ago for the first time in the dark (well, it was almost dark). Its two of the Abyss s1800's. Can't wait to see how this compliments the interior lights. One of the mods I'm most excited to use!View attachment 20288 View attachment 20290

Which lights did you put under the seat backs ?

 

[Signal12]

Just about done with my interior LED install. Total investment in LED’s is at $49.

 

[Jimejoe]

Nice , what brand did you get

 

[Signal12]

Unsure the brand, they were an "Open Box" set from Amazon. Basically a brand new kit someone returned. Come with 2 Rolls, Controller with 2 Connections so you can run the rolls in separate directions. Remote with full RGB control, Dim Control, Individual color selection, etc etc. I bought two rolls of RGB cable which matched the set perfectly. I cut the to length, ran the wire, soldered and Presto Chango.....We have LED's.

 

[Jimejoe]

Unsure the brand, they were an "Open Box" set from Amazon. Basically a brand new kit someone returned. Come with 2 Rolls, Controller with 2 Connections so you can run the rolls in separate directions. Remote with full RGB control, Dim Control, Individual color selection, etc etc. I bought two rolls of RGB cable which matched the set perfectly. I cut the to length, ran the wire, soldered and Presto Chango.....We have LED's.

Do you just use the stick on leds, and they stay stuck even if wet, like the ones under the back rest above the platform?

 

[Signal12]

I didn’t want to drill any extra holes or use something permanent. I used a hot glue gun and glued them in place. Small dab about every 4-5 inches and those puppies aren’t moving. They have the sticky backing and I just peeled that and pushed it down in between hot glue dabs.

If we ever decide to sell, 20 minutes and they’re off. Since the controller has 2 leads, I used one for each side of the boat. Getting across the front of the 212LS to run1 lead just appeared to be a pain.

Total install time was about 5-6 hours with plenty of adult beverage breaks. Part of that time was mapping it exactly how I wanted it to run and testing each light as I placed them. I also Tucked all the wires and installed a bus bar to keep the power leads clean. Plus it gives me options for down the road.

 

[Betik]

Total install time was about 5-6 hours with plenty of adult beverage breaks.

those type of beverages make you more efficient.