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Underwater LED lights

I can see how flush mount would be important for the sides due to drag. Abyss has a light that shines 30' behind the boat with 6 LED's for $165 and for a few bucks more they have one with 15 LED's that shine 50' behind the boat in clear water. My boat is only 58' so a light that shines around 50' behind the boat sounds like alot to me, especially since some are happy with the 6-LED models.

I would just like to have them for the "wow" factor, not really for raising fish. In the vastness of open water, the difference between 50' or 100' behind the boat is negligible IMHO given the fact that the fish has to be fairly close to the boat to see the light and be attracted to it anyway.

I called Abyss several times today and never got anyone to pick up. I left messages but still no return call. I hope this isn't an indicator of customer service after the sale!
 
Let us know what you come up with. That seems like great pricing.
 
ThirdHatt said:
I can see how flush mount would be important for the sides due to drag. Abyss has a light that shines 30' behind the boat with 6 LED's for $165 and for a few bucks more they have one with 15 LED's that shine 50' behind the boat in clear water. My boat is only 58' so a light that shines around 50' behind the boat sounds like alot to me, especially since some are happy with the 6-LED models.

I would just like to have them for the "wow" factor, not really for raising fish. In the vastness of open water, the difference between 50' or 100' behind the boat is negligible IMHO given the fact that the fish has to be fairly close to the boat to see the light and be attracted to it anyway.

I called Abyss several times today and never got anyone to pick up. I left messages but still no return call. I hope this isn't an indicator of customer service after the sale!
Click to expand...
I had good luck reaching Abysslite. He is not there all the time though. Try in the morning. I picked ours up directly from him in Ft. Lauderdale. He is a nice guy and makes custom instrument panels for go fast boats.
 
I'll try again on Monday. I figure the model S800 with 15 LED's for $235 each is a worthwhile upgrade from the $169 model S300. If they operate on 32v I am ordering a pair of them immediately. Heck, if they operate on 12v or 24v I'll probably still make it happen too. $500 for a pair with switch is a bargain. My boat has a water tank glassed-in along the middle of the transom, so I will only be able to fit one port and one starboard. Knowing there's only a 3/16" hole to drill is the real selling point for me!
 
ThirdHatt said:
I'll try again on Monday. I figure the model S800 with 15 LED's for $235 each is a worthwhile upgrade from the $169 model S300. If they operate on 32v I am ordering a pair of them immediately. Heck, if they operate on 12v or 24v I'll probably still make it happen too. $500 for a pair with switch is a bargain. My boat has a water tank glassed-in along the middle of the transom, so I will only be able to fit one port and one starboard. Knowing there's only a 3/16" hole to drill is the real selling point for me!
Click to expand...

I agree, Byron. That 3/16 hole is a big selling point. Let me know what you find out. I may get 2 or 3 as well, just for effect. I'm especially interested if he can make up some that will handle a 32v input.
 
Sky, will do. I'll post my findings as soon as I speak with a human down there. I can pull from my cockpit gen's 12v battery but what happens if I want to run the lights while I'm running the big genset? I guess it would deplete my small gen battery after a while. I don't keep a charger on either gen battery because it is not necessary, only the 32v boat batteries have a dedicated charger. I guess I could upgrade the current group 24 to a deep cycle group 31 battery to buy me more time (amp hours) if I go that route. The S800 lights only draw 1.7 amps each so that's not too bad.

I am adding a Newmar converter to take a 120v input to a 24v output to run the 6kw radar that I am in the process of installing. Furuno electronics no longer accept voltages between 10 and 40, only 12 or 24 now. :rolleyes:

You are right though, if they run on 32v it would be best.

I think I'll keep this a little secret from the wife. She'll freak when I hit the switch! :D
 
I just got an email response from Abyss. Here it is below:


.....sorry for not replying your calls earlier....was plannong oncalling you back tomorrow....
all our lights run on 12 volt...except the s1205 model that has a 12/24 power regulator....

We garantee our products for 5 years against any defect....

regards,
 
Maybe I'll let you try them. Then, next winter you can let me know if I should order a few. I'm sure I have a converter somewhere that could handle that little draw. Besides, I probably would only use them at the dock or at anchor.
 
i like the fact that you could probably install them without drilling thru the transom. why not route the wire up and go in above water line ? like a transom mount transducer ?

i got this thing about drilling holes... the fewer the better ! :-)
 
OK, I have to admit, these lights are growing on me. Ed, sorry you had to learn it here on a public forum - I never told you. LOL :o

When I first saw these, I thought of them as "Pimp my Hatt" things, and it was usually the annoying people who had them. Over the past couple of years, however, I've seen them on a number of more respectable vessels and I'm starting to like them. The charter power cat on the next pier over just returned to the marina this week after a few months leave of absence. I don't know where she's been all this time, probably gone for a refit, but she came back with underwater lights on the transom and one on each side about mid way along the vessel. She is also sporting new LED lights around the exterior, here and there - not Christmas lights - but tastefully located and not excessive by any description. I wonder if the underwater lights are used on vessels, other than fishing vessels, for night swimming or whatever.... I would think they would attract things in the dark you would not want to swim with - I don't know - but I am starting to like these lights. I, personally, am not interested in using them for swimming because....ready for this?....I hate salt water! If the ocean were fresh, I would truly be in paradise. Yeah, I scuba dive and lay on a raft in the seawater, but I don't want a drop of it in my mouth or eyes.

And for those of you who like these lights for reason #3 above, you may want to consider a hot/cold transom shower if you don't already have one. :D I had one of them on my last boat, but my Hatt is missing that..... "Dear Santa...." LOL :p
 
Pascal said:
i like the fact that you could probably install them without drilling thru the transom. why not route the wire up and go in above water line ? like a transom mount transducer ?

i got this thing about drilling holes... the fewer the better ! :-)
Click to expand...
The only easy way to do it, Pascal is to follow their template and directions. They ask for a 3/16" drill hole through the transom with a 1/2" recess that is only 1/4" deep. This allows a pooling place for the sealing caulk. Three more shallow holes are drilled part way through the transom to receive the 3 mounting screws. The back face of the light and the screws force the caulk into the hole. The wires are quite tight in the hole also. Walk over and look at Unity. If you see Steve, my redheaded kid, he will turn them on and the cockpit LED lights as well.
 
Pascal said:
i like the fact that you could probably install them without drilling thru the transom. why not route the wire up and go in above water line ? like a transom mount transducer ?

i got this thing about drilling holes... the fewer the better ! :-)
Click to expand...
Ocean LED has a Surface Mount model also that may appeal to those who don't want to drill all the way through the hull. http://www.oceanled.com/products/underwater-lights/surface-mount.html

They also have a 90 degree cable gland that provides a very nice finished look where the wire might go through. http://www.oceanled.com/products/accessories/90-degree-cable-gland.html
 
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