Perimeter L.E.D lighting

[Jim_R]

Ok, did some testing. In the first round I used the 12 amp controller, 30' of 22 gauge RGB wiring, and different LED strip combos. Here's the setup:

Note that in all pictures that follow, I used the White color setting on the controllers, as this requires all colors to be on and demands the highest amperage. Here's one 300LED SMD 5050 5M (5 meter) strip.

Here's 2 5M strips in series.

Here's the 5M strip with an amplified 2M strip in series:

The above results caused me to be concerned about the output of the 6 amp controllers I planned to use, so I did another series using that controller. Single 5M strip:

Two 5M strips in series:

1 5M strip with an amplified 2M strip in series:

I am not seeing much if any difference in output between the 6amp and 12amp controllers. I do see that the 12amp controller does state that it will take either a 12V or 24V input, but there is no mention that the 12amp output requires a 24V input.

FYI - in testing I noticed my inline amplifiers are also 12amp.

 

[PDX Hosedragger]

I think I'll just have to wait for all of my components to come in and do my own test. Since my controller has two outputs I'm going to run two lengths of 11.5' each on either sided of the boat. Hopefully that will give me balanced output fromt he controller. Worst case I run an amp in there and have the two lengths wired in parallel. (Two total amps, one for each controller)

I'm torn though, in that I'd like to have two separate controllers, one per side so I can run separate colors on port and starboard. But now I wonder if one controller with several amps is the simplest to set up.

 

[Jim_R]

Well adding an amp or two is no big deal if one uses these:

Wish I'd found these before I bought mine - look to be the exact same except mine have wires requiring soldering, and these are setup for the 4 prong plugs. Cheaper too at $7 shipped. If I end up adding any more amps, I'm going with these.

Here's a Link: http://www.amazon.com/144W-Repeater-Amplifier-Strip-Protection/dp/B00833CONM/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1364255145&sr=8-5&keywords=led+amplifier

 

[PDX Hosedragger]

I've seen those. They're $2.99 on ebay. I guess I'll just have to splurge and get (4). I was just hoping to reduce draw on my house battery.

 

[PDX Hosedragger]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Mini-Tiny-Signal-Amplifier-for-5050-3528-SMD-RGB-LED-Light-Strip-DC-12V-12A-/290829287553?pt=US_Lighting_Parts_and_Accessories&hash=item43b6c6c081

 

[Jim_R]

Update - relayed my experience with the 12A controller to the seller. They sent a replacement, which I tested today. The replacement does power two 5 meter led strips, so I guess the first controller was a dud. Just FYI.

 

[PDX Hosedragger]

So 6amps per 5meter section is adequate?

 

[Jim_R]

Yes, 6 amps (or 2 amps per color) is sufficient for a 5 meter section, and 12 amps (or 4 amps per color) is sufficient for two 5 meter strips in series. No inline amps required. If one were planning on 8 meters on each side of the boat, one or more inline amps would still be required.

My plan has not changed from individual 6 amp controllers and inline amps port and starboard. One day I will post a picture showing my Benny displaying red perimeter lights on the port side, and green perimeter lights on the starboard, although I expect I will mostly run with blue on both.

 

[BulldogsCadillac]

All the cool kids are going RED!!!! Haha

 

[PDX Hosedragger]

Is that so?

 

[jackboltz]

I made the mistake of not ordering the side led lights.Dealer is qouting me $ 1200.00 to install.

Is this reasonable?

 

[Jim_R]

I made the mistake of not ordering the side led lights.Dealer is qouting me $ 1200.00 to install.

Is this reasonable?

Seems extremely high to me. I see the boat builder lists it for $913 on a 22' R series, and that includes installation (often by Dealer). Does your Dealer have 2 kids in College or something?

 

[TomS]

I made the mistake of not ordering the side led lights.Dealer is qouting me $ 1200.00 to install.

Is this reasonable?

That's crazy high, especially if it's just the blue lights without the controllers mentioned here.

Here is a kit that's only about $200. Shouldn't be a couple hours to put on if it's out of the water.

http://www.pontoonst...ights-P493.aspx

 

[lakebum]

Hey Guys....keep workin' on this and I won't have to do any brain stressing when and if I decide to do this! Steve

 

[PDX Hosedragger]

I think I'll be into it for $250... And that's for a pretty sweet dual controller setup with over 44 different color/speed/brightness/pattern combinations, plus the ability to have different colors on each side of the boat.

 

[BulldogsCadillac]

Like Red hey PDX!!

 

[PDX Hosedragger]

Yes, Derrick, like red.

 

[Jim_R]

Getting closer to the actual install, so I broke out the fat crayons. Hope some get a chuckle from this.

 

[BulldogsCadillac]

Wow, chuckle I shall not! Well done, that's a lot of effort to diagram it all out. I always mis judge how much room it takes and the stuff at the bottom usually gets SQUEEZED in! Haha

 

[Wild and Free]

I think I will eventually do the simple blue kit from pontoon stuff. I don't like adding more stuff that can malfunction and clutter things up.

That way I can name my boat "Bruised" Black and blue hahahaha!!!