Boat Build

[Beta Tau789]

Looking great! I found that spreading the lights worked better than a narrow angled approach. They are classified as "flood" not beam.

 

[g0nef1sshn]

Looking great! I found that spreading the lights worked better than a narrow angled approach. They are classified as "flood" not beam.

Glad you gave me that tip before mounting them all close. Ill keep two up front and I put these on the sides now. Itll be a two switch set up.

 

[g0nef1sshn]

Getting it all wired in.

 

[rnelson5]

Whu not just put the lights directly on the flat part of the bow?

 

[g0nef1sshn]

Whu not just put the lights directly on the flat part of the bow?

To elevate them to keep reflection off the bow. I didnt want the to far forward near the running lights.

 

[Beta Tau789]

figure out your "plane" angle and "float" angle and position the lights somewhere inbetween.

 

[g0nef1sshn]

figure out your "plane" angle and "float" angle and position the lights somewhere inbetween.

will do that when I get a motor

 

[g0nef1sshn]

Im working on wiring issues. First go when I turned running lights off the leds doubled in brightness. A suggestion was made to run a second ground up front to the bus. Tried that and now when running lights turned on and off one led out of the two on a switch goes out. Im running 14 guage wires.

Next step is to put battery back on charger. (thought it read fully charged when I started this). Also need to get a voltmeter to learn some more electrical theory and possibly buy a heavier gauge wire for the grounding run.

Granted this battery is an older one dad had laying around. But I have some work to do.

 

[jritchey65]

Im working on wiring issues. First go when I turned running lights off the leds doubled in brightness. A suggestion was made to run a second ground up front to the bus. Tried that and now when running lights turned on and off one led out of the two on a switch goes out. Im running 14 guage wires.

Next step is to put battery back on charger. (thought it read fully charged when I started this). Also need to get a voltmeter to learn some more electrical theory and possibly buy a heavier gauge wire for the grounding run.

Granted this battery is an older one dad had laying around. But I have some work to do.

Just sounds like your running light are pulling a huge load off the battery. Led bulbs dont pull much at all but when you combine them with the running lights then it pulls a good bit. As for the the extra ground wire shutting one light off Im not real sure on that, sounds like its breaking the circuit somehow though.

 

[g0nef1sshn]

There is something with the running lights. I had them wired wrong to start I think in the front. But tonight I redid alot of the ground connectors to the bus bars and things got better. Still need to get a multimeter to check things out and keep on working out the issues.Kinda nice to have something to do since the build itself is almost complete.

I can connect wires and all, but when it comes to amps, volts, draw, and things it is a learning curve. And I know from work that bad grounds can make things haywire and non working.

 

[g0nef1sshn]

still messing with the wiring and things. Got a multimeter and started testing the connections too. One thing that helped me figure out is the battery i used to do all this is pretty much shot.

So Im looking for a deep cycle marine battery for all the accessories. What are you guys running in your boats?

I plan on a 24v system eventually. 1 cranking battery and one deep cycle for the rest.

What batteries do you all like that run your boats like this? do you break bank for a 200$ one or do the 100$ range work fine?

I dont have a trolling motor, but its not out of the question in the future. So I would like to be ready for that power needed also.

 

[kevbo3333]

I've got a $90 one that's been going strong for 4 years. I got it from a locally owned battery shop here in middle GA

 

[g0nef1sshn]

Whats the brand and specs kev?

 

[g0nef1sshn]

picked up a battery today. Spent Monday - Saturday out in the woods playing Soldier so im back at it today. Already reconnected everything so far so good as far as I can tell. waiting till dark to make sure its all good to go!

 

[g0nef1sshn]

new good battery = working lights all around..

 

[rnelson5]

I am sure your neighbor over there loves you lol.

 

[g0nef1sshn]

I am sure your neighbor over there loves you lol.

They will be ok, it wasnt toooo late yet

I was tightening down the lights and had one bolt snap, oops.

also added some more paint. I finally founf the green I was looking for again.

Not much more to do other than build a battery box and find me a motor.....

 

[WhiteStoneGuy]

I recommend some heat shrink tubing or some tape for those butt connectors since it's a watercraft. Looking good overall

 

[g0nef1sshn]

Probably going to be taped up real good this go around. If it holds and works fine i plan on heat shrinking the connections in the future. I have the stuff to lube the connections to the switches also. I have to change some of them out for some better ones before i do that also.

I have to add a inline fuse right off the battery and then its pretty much play with the camo idea and find a motor. But if all goes as planned i have a 6 week class at the end of this month and more than likely moving after that. So money might be more wisely spent with that unless something pops up i cant refuse.

 

[g0nef1sshn]

No motor still. Going to have to store the boat outside while we list our house to sell. made a tarp support frame. Hopefully after moving I can get serious on the motor hunt again.

Not moving far. I should be moving bases from Ft. Stewart to Hunter Airfield this next week. So I will still be in the Savannah area anyway.