Wiring 3 Ocean A6's to Yamaha light bar?

[RPM33]

Hi all,

I'm doing some lighting upgrades on our 2011 Yamaha AR210 and I'm wondering about some wiring thoughts. I already have the Yamaha light bar (with the 4 blue led's) mounted and wired with a dash switch. What I was wondering is, if it will be ok to add 3 Ocean LED A6 lights (to be mounted), and possibly led speaker rings to that switch/circuit? I'm not a wiz with electrical and I don't want to have a problem out on the water, but I thoughts that since they are all low-watt led's, I could do that without adding another switch. I'd like all of the led lighting on 1 switch if possible.

By the way, I do have a 2-battery setup with switch which I'll use most of the time at the dock for these lights on 1 battery.

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Andy S]

I'm assuming the Yamaha light bar is connected to the courtesy light switch. If this is correct then I would be a little concerned about adding both the Ocean LED's and speaker rings to that circuit. The courtesy light has a 5 amp breaker as protection and the Ocean LED's will add 3 amps plus whatever the speaker rings add in addition to the light bar and other courtesy lights. You probably could add the speaker rings to the courtesy light circuit but I would definitely put the Ocean LED's on their own circuit. Plus are you going to want all those lights on at once? Multiple switches will give you the flexibility to turn on lights as you want them.

 

[RPM33]

I'll have to check tonight, but I think the bar is on a separate switch. Thanks very much for the response.

 

[Bill D]

I agree with @andy07sx230ho, you probably won't be able to have all of those loads on the 5A breaker. You don't have to install a breaker for your new circuit, an inline fuse works just fine. Just make sure you keep extra fuses.

It's also very nice to have the ability to pick and choose which lights you want on. I have my underwater lights, swim deck LEDs, cabin LEDs, tower courtesy lights, and storage lights on separate switches.

 

[betterwhenitswetter]

Have the switch on a relay, meaning when the switch is on = energizing the coil of the relay. Then have power pull from a better fused system, or better distribution block that supports the correct amperage from the LED draw, simple!

originally I had my LEDs on my audio system/house system (2 batteries), but under load it would dim my leds so I moved it all over to the boat starting battery, much better and no dimming and since LEDs are such a low power consumption its a win win.

 

[Andy S]

Have the switch on a relay, meaning when the switch is on = energizing the coil of the relay. Then have power pull from a better fused system, or better distribution block that supports the correct amperage from the LED draw, simple!

originally I had my LEDs on my audio system/house system (2 batteries), but under load it would dim my leds so I moved it all over to the boat starting battery, much better and no dimming and since LEDs are such a low power consumption its a win win.

That is what I did to power my underwater LED's. You can use any circuit in the helm to power the relay, the relay draws minimal power. I put my relay and distribution block on the wall next to the battery.

 

[RPM33]

Excellent responses - thanks! I'll get on it this weekend and start lighting that sucker up!! Thank you!

 

[RPM33]

Decided to take your advice all...I'm going with separate switches. Thank you.