Underwater lighting

[Bob Bradley]

I'm considering trying underwater lighting again. I did it 10 years ago and had failed system after failed system. I finally gave up.

Here's what I'd really like: Has any creative business come up with a light that fits into the old Datamarine through hull fitting for the paddlewheel speedometer? I like the idea of a spotlight that aims straight down, hoping to attract bait and predators well down in the water column.

I also want to place a couple on the transom. What is out there that is dependable and won't cost me a thousand bucks?

 

[Yachtsmyth]

look at Lumitec

 

[Cricket]

Yep, look at Lumitec, they have surface mount and just introduced some thru hull models.

We had OceanLed thru hull units in the bottom, had some issues and then decided to remove them, just bothered me having additional pretty large holes in the bottom that could become an issue so we glassed them up.
Pulled the OcenLed's out of the transom too, glassed up those big holes also, now have a hole just for the wire going to surface mount Lumitec's.
They've been rock solid.

 

[Yachtsmyth]

just to expand on Cricket, Lumitec does not recommend the non thruhull on running surfaces in case you hit something. Their new thruhulls look good! I have four across the transom (ones with wire).

 

[rustybucket]

We installed 6 lumitec seablazex's in blue, little over a year ago. Only 2 of the 6 made it through the entire season. When we haul out I'm pulling them all off and want to go with green and add 4-6 more lights.

Not sure what brand/type I'm going with, there really are not a lot of good choices, and the prices on the 'good' lights are kinda hard to justify.

 

[Cricket]

Maybe the ones that change color are better??????

Rusty, somebody told me to oversize the wire so we did, maybe that made a difference?
What voltage are you running those off of, ours are 24volt..

 

[SEVEN]

I’ve had this installed 5 years ago with zero issues. I installed the ones with the most bulbs. They are very pricey but worth every dollar.

 

[Pascal]

It tried Lumitec SeablazeX a few years ago and they would fail after one to two years. But they re cheap.... if i were to use them again I would install them on a removable support so you can pull the screws in water and run the wires to a location above the water line

 

[Boatsb]

In sell the lumishore and they have controlled color and patterns. It's a removable and replaceable when in water and seems to hold up pretty well

 

[Bob Bradley]

We installed 6 lumitec seablazex's in blue, little over a year ago. Only 2 of the 6 made it through the entire season. When we haul out I'm pulling them all off and want to go with green and add 4-6 more lights.

Not sure what brand/type I'm going with, there really are not a lot of good choices, and the prices on the 'good' lights are kinda hard to justify.

That's exactly what I don't want. I prefer low maintenance stuff. I'm out of the water for the season this year. First time in 6 seasons. Prefer not to be out again for another 6. Check your PMs, Scott.

 

[86Hat41]

I recommend Macris. Virtually indistructable. I've had them on since the 2015 season. Still going strong. 0 issues.

 

[tomrealest]

I had Ocean LED and when I started having issues I did not think Ocean LED was supportive.

 

[ageless]

I have Lumitec and have had two fail in less than a year. They are offering to upgrade me from the Seablaze 3 to the Quattro for $100/light but I'm reluctant.

 

[rustybucket]

I priced out a lumishore system and it was going to be close to $20k. Not sure I want to drop that coin on underwater lights at the moment.

Anyone ever used 110v underwater lights? I think in our situation I'd almost rather use the 110v than the 12/32v system. When offshore we run the underwater lights all night long, sometimes the mains are off during that time and the batteries are being kept up by the charger, which is powered by the generator. Seems like it would be more efficient to just use 110v...?

 

[Cricket]

Anyone know if the Aqualuma led underwater lights are any good?
Looks like the light cartridges are replaceable from inside the boat.
Price wise more than Lumitec but much less than OceanLed.

Now everyone has me nervous about our Lumitecs......

 

[Bob Bradley]

Between the price tags and the dependability, I may just stick with my trusty old hydroglow that I hang over the side.