Underwater Lights in Series?

[rustybucket]

Hello all, still trying to wrap my brain around 32v wiring so please excuse if this has been discussed before.

Our 1986 52' Convertible still has the 32v system. I want to keep this in place am not interesting in converting to something else.

However, I do want to add underwater lights, SeaBalzeX is what we have on our current boat and have emjoyed them thoroughly. The problem is they are rated 10-30v. Which of course is not high enough to use on the 32v system.

My question is this, can I wire two lights in series to effectively cut the voltage in half? Two of these lights in series would mean eachlight is getting approx 16v. If I could do 3 banks of 2 lights in series it would pretty much accomplish my goal. Just not sure if this would work or not?

Any guidance is greatly appreciated!

 

[Pascal]

I don't think that will work with LEDs. You should be able to find a voltage converter. They're cheap... I got one on Amazon to convert the 48v of my sailboat propulsion bank to 12v for a small cooling pump

 

[KPTIM]

Can't say I would be a big fan of running them in series but if you go to there website:

http://lumiteclighting.com/support/faq/

There is a question asked to them on there FAQ forum about running two 12 volt light sets in series from a 24 VDC battery bank. They clearly state that it is acceptable......

Lumitec Lighting seems to be very customer driven in support of there product. If I were you I think I would reach out to them and see if the 30 volt limit they publish "is what it is" or would they be suitable to operate on a 32 volt system. It will get down to the internal voltage regulator system in the light package. Only there engineering staff could confirm this.

Even though our systems are 32 VDC during charging events they could see peaks of 34 to 36 volts.

Tim
1979 53' MY

 

[Cricket]

Lumitec has really good customer service, give them a call.
Btw, we replaced our failing OceanLed lights a year ago with the Lumitec Seablaze X Spectrums.
They probably were 1/3 the price, or less, than new OceanLed's, they are brighter than the old light when they were new. Being able to pick which color is actually pretty cool. Only thing different is they don't fan out quite as much.

 

[rustybucket]

Just got off the phone with Lumitec, very good experieince. They say it's no problem at all to do them in series. So sounds like it's time to order the lights!

 

[MVCaprice]

Glad that the series solution will work for you. I will have to keep that in mind!

I have used some dc to dc step down boxes with some success for above water LED's. I have also used other standard Newmar voltage convertors with some success. For small LED's I have used resistors.

If you are going to use a DC to DC step down you will need to size them right for the amp load. They also don't work if there is built in circuitry on the LED for dimming / color change etc.

I have used these drivers in the past successfully:
http://www.meanwell.com/product/led/LED.html

Imtra makes similar components that are literally 10x as much with better documentation and support.

 

[MVCaprice]

Even though our systems are 32 VDC during charging events they could see peaks of 34 to 36 volts.

Off topic, but on our house bank I'll see ~39 volts during bulk charging. I had a Garmin 5212 that supposedly will run on a 32 volt bank...Until voltage peaks a bit over 38 volts and promptly shuts down!

 

[Pascal]

I haven't had great luck with lumitec. I ve had to replace a couple of seablazeX after only 2 years and the STainless steel bezels On some of their overhead LEDs are better described as stainfull. And the SS springs rusted to pieces in months but yeah they send me a new batch of springs right away

 

[SEVEN]

Aqualuma is absolutely the best. Do your research and you will see. 3 years in and not one issue.

 

[luckydave215]

Aqualuma is absolutely the best. Do your research and you will see. 3 years in and not one issue.

I have Aqualumas and love them. They are ten times (not a typo) as bright as anyone else's in the marina. All the kids on the dock fish behind my boat at night even though everyone has their underwater lights on.
Pricey, but I couldn't be happier with them.

 

[northshoreone]

Re: Underwater Lights in Series

Have always considered adding some lights.....how many are you guys using? Just on the transom or down the hull side as well? How tough to keep them clean?

 

[MVCaprice]

I used Rigid industry lights. The price was right @ 0$. I think retail they were in the 2500$ range.

I used two small ones in the center and two larger ones on the sides. Seems to have worked out good. I have been really impressed with the latest generation of color changing LED's but the prices they want for those are no joke!

 

[luckydave215]

Re: Underwater Lights in Series

Have always considered adding some lights.....how many are you guys using? Just on the transom or down the hull side as well? How tough to keep them clean?

I have three on the transom, one centerline and two close to the chines.
Hard to keep clean? Well, they ARE underwater.......but the lens is damn hard so slime just brushes off if I don't ignore them for too long.

 

[Fish Tales]

I have 3 blue ones under the waterline on the transom. Puts on quite a show underway. Looks like the northern lights. Also draws tons of fish. My favorite was at Clearwater marina last winter, a large Seahorse came around every night to pay a visit. I could tell it was the same one because he always brought his large piece of coral coiled in his tail with him. Took several pics, but hard to make out.

Also very easy to clean.

Have a great week,
Tim

 

[rustybucket]

We are putting 4 on the transom and one on each side.This will be our third boat with the seablazex and have been very happy with them all, never a problem out of any of them.