Bugs and boat lighting

[kaliona]

I plan on installing some LED rope lighting under the gunwales of my boat to light the deck. Anyone have any input on whether or not the bugs will be attracted to the red or blue lights? I know I'm not going to use white lights. I want to make sure I use a color that doesn't attract bugs. I don't want to be fishing at night in the middle of a swarm if I can help it.

 

[dsiekman]

Re: Bugs and boat lighting

Not sure, but I just replaced my gauge and cockpit lighting with LEDs from www.superbrightleds.com. Yeah, I know, I was nervous about ordering from someone like that and the website looks pretty cheesy...BUT they were delivered two days later and look great! I will attach a pic if you're interested. They had all kinds of rope, replacement, etc.

 

[HAV2FISH]

Re: Bugs and boat lighting

We have the LED rope lights on our deck and they don't seem to draw any more bugs than you would normally have on a summers night.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Bugs and boat lighting

I plan on installing some LED rope lighting under the gunwales of my boat to light the deck. Anyone have any input on whether or not the bugs will be attracted to the red or blue lights? I know I'm not going to use white lights. I want to make sure I use a color that doesn't attract bugs. I don't want to be fishing at night in the middle of a swarm if I can help it.

Insects are attracted to Ultraviolet the most (hence most bug zappers have a low wattage UV lamp..The purple lamp)

The human eye cant really see UV light..but the next step down in the spectrum is white...
You are correct NOT to use white...
Amber, orange and blue or the most nuetral colors as far as not attracting bugs..

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Bugs and boat lighting

try this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWRgxiCFxgQ

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Bugs and boat lighting

Nice find "Hung", That youtube clip sealed it for me. I'm doing LED lighting in my boat as well & was wondering the same thing. I guess I'll be going with the Amber. I wanted white, but not if I'm going to be swarmed. Where are most of you buying your lights? I've been checking out "Pep Boys" but there expensive there. I'll need to check out the web site in the first or second post. Have found quite a few on ebay as well.

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Bugs and boat lighting

dsiekman, that is a cool web site, all kinds of stuff there. I would have no problem buying from them. exactly what one's did you get from them for your boat? I'm looking at 2 different types of strips, one is 39" @ $23.95 & the other is 38" @ $20.00

 

[dsiekman]

Re: Bugs and boat lighting

I bought replacement miniwedge bulbs. Then I swapped out the old incandescent ones in my gauges and cockpit lighting. This winter I'm planning to rebuild my dash and want to add some red strip lighting so I can see what switch I'm flipping in low light conditions. I got 18 bulbs for about $25 including shipping if I remember right. Take a look at the attached pic. It really looks much better in person...I don't have a good pic of the cockpit lighting yet.

 

[dsiekman]

Re: Bugs and boat lighting

MAXXIE - I got the website from a guy at Pepboys. He told me not to bother with the ones they sell. He says they're not very bright and like you said, they're more expensive.

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Bugs and boat lighting

I did the inside of my FJ Cruiser with the ones from Pep Boys, I did the entire interior with blue & if your not looking for them you can bearly even notice they are there. I like the ones on that site, there's 2 different strips I'm looking at that should do most of my boat's interior. Quick shipping you said? I'll order today if I get a chance so I can install before the weekend.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bugs and boat lighting

Blue is more pleasant to the eye, does not cause night blindness. i use only blue on my pontoon.

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Bugs and boat lighting

I guess this question would be better suited for the electronic section & I'll start a new post over there but, I'm thinking for the power I may get a PWC battery just for the lights. I don't want the extra weight of a full size battery. I know the lights are super low draw but I'd rather not take any chances. As far as color, I too like the blue. That you tube clip may change my mind & may go with amber. "Tasha", do you have any issues with bugs using the blue?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bugs and boat lighting

have used blue on several boats, no problems. also I live in Florida, where mosquitoes and the size of hawks.

What about a 12 volt riding lawn mower battery, they are usually cheaper, and hold a great charge.

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Bugs and boat lighting

Good idea, never thought of it.

 

[dsiekman]

Re: Bugs and boat lighting

I understand wanting to be conservative, but why not calculate the draw of those leds before going to the trouble of adding more batteries? You might be surprised..

 

[JoLin]

Re: Bugs and boat lighting

Not sure, but I just replaced my gauge and cockpit lighting with LEDs from www.superbrightleds.com. Yeah, I know, I was nervous about ordering from someone like that and the website looks pretty cheesy...BUT they were delivered two days later and look great! I will attach a pic if you're interested. They had all kinds of rope, replacement, etc.

I've ordered from them twice and got the same service you did- immediate

I replaced my 3 cabin overheads with their 6- or 9- bulb soft white LED's (can't recall which). They seem to have the same light output as the bulbs that were in there, and draw about 0.1 amp per fixture.

I just replaced the 2 cockpit courtesy lamp with 6-LED festoon bulbs. Haven't had a chance to see them in the dark yet, but they looked pretty bright when I fired them up.

Nice thing about superbrightleds, is that they supply ALL the measurements on all their bulbs. In those cases where you can't tell the original bulb type, it's pretty easy to match them up if you have a ruler...

Good outfit. I recommend them.

 

[MacPointMan]

Re: Bugs and boat lighting

I have thought about doing something like this but not sure how much time I'll be spending on the water at night.

I might think about it after getting the Gelcoat on the hull Wet Sanded, Buffed, Waxed and fixed in a few spots and when I think about putting in a new stereo and adding a couple of speakers. I am definitely going to look at building a couple of removable storage boxes for the back of the boat that will go under the seats on either side of the dog House.

SO many great ideas come from this website.

MacPointMan

 

[JasonBo]

Re: Bugs and boat lighting

try this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWRgxiCFxgQ

lol I was just looking for this. wildcat is local to my area. I belive they use superbright leds

 

[Sixmark]

Re: Bugs and boat lighting

Not sure, but I just replaced my gauge and cockpit lighting with LEDs from www.superbrightleds.com. Yeah, I know, I was nervous about ordering from someone like that and the website looks pretty cheesy...BUT they were delivered two days later and look great! I will attach a pic if you're interested. They had all kinds of rope, replacement, etc.

I have been buying from them for years now and won't buy from anywhere else, I had a 2000 Freightliner show truck which I used their LED's exclusively on. The LED instrument light conversions are good quality, just a simple plug in replacement bulb. the rest of their products are very good as well. If you don't see something on their site you are looking for you can always call and tell them and they will get you what you need.

As far as a choice between red or blue, I would suggest the red as it's easier on your eyes at night and tends to attract less critters as well. Best of all as we all know, LED's draw far less current from the battery and last longer than conventional bulbs. I personally recommend putting one of their 4 LED mini lights in the stern of the boat near the battery/fuel tanks, it provides plenty of light and makes switching tanks a breeze at midnight.

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Bugs and boat lighting

To all the thanks, just glad to help.
TC, good to see reps. post.
As with all the reps. that post on iboats.
You cannot believe how much it helps the consumer to hear it first hand.