LED Accessory Light Intall Help

[chriss1069]

I have a 2007 Bass Tracker Pro 190 and I want to install four of the Westmarine LED lighting strips. I would like to control two lights with one switch, and the other two lights with a second switch. I have a dedicated cranking battery, and two additional batteries wired in series for 24V to run the trolling motor. Any suggestions on the best way to wire this project? The specs on the lights are:

Voltage/Draw: 12V DC/0.06A@12V
Bulb Wattage: 0.7W

I was thinking of just running the wires directly to one of the batteries for the trolling motor. If these batteries are wired in series to get 24V, should I connect to the first battery? I am assuming connecting to the second battery in the series will give me 24V to the lights, which I do not want since they are 12V lights.

Would it be better to tap into the power supply for the live wells/bilge pumps/running lights? If so, where is that wiring located? The wiring under the console looks like an organize multicolored rat's nest. Should I connect to the common ground and hot wires from the fuze panel? I would like to install this like a professional would. There has never been anything added or repaired on the boat. It is all stock from the factory.

Sorry if this seems like a stupid question, I am a noob and just want to do this right and not burn anything up.

Thanks!

 

[NYBo]

Re: LED Accessory Light Intall Help

Welcome to iboats!

Hooking the leads to any one of your batteries will give you 12V. However, the usual practice is to keep the trolling motor batteries separated from all other devices, even though the current draw of those LEDs will be minimal. Is there a fuse panel under the console? There is often an unused fuse or two available; that's where I'd tap in for the positive side of the circuit. There should also be a negative buss, either separate from the fuse panel or built into it for the negative side of the circuit.

 

[chriss1069]

Re: LED Accessory Light Intall Help

There is a fuse panel...not sure if there are any empty slots. I will have to double check.

 

[sw33ttooth]

Re: LED Accessory Light Intall Help

once you find your fuse pannel i am guessing there will be a few spaces for added acc. most have extra.

1. i'd run your neg/blk wires from the lights to the neg/ground buse notice black wires all over it.
2. then run your positive wire into a switch and from the other side of the switch to the fuse pannel which will already be connected to the batteries.
thus flick the switch and ta da!
hardest part is running the wires threw the hual and drilling holes to get a professional look. other then that its easy.

almost forgot, DO NOT CUT THE ZIP TIES HOLDING WIRES TOGATHER!!!! if you want to tie your wires with the old ones then do so but dont start cliping the zip ties or that rats nest will be twice as bad.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: LED Accessory Light Intall Help

I did what you are looking to do. I ran the cockpit light strips to a switch, then the bow light strips to another switch. Both of these switches feed off the fuse panel, which is powered by the start battery. LED's don't draw much current, so I'm not worried about the additional drain on the start battery.

 

[chriss1069]

Re: LED Accessory Light Intall Help

Thanks for the help guys. Fishrdan....what LED lights strips did you use and where did you get them? I have been considering these since they give off nice even light over a long distance. Did you use a voltage regulator/conditioner with yours, or did you just wire them straight into the fuse panel? I was thinking of putting two, four foot strips, under the gunwale cap along each side of the bow.