Led Lights On Boats: Installation Guide

Adding LED lights to your boat is a fun and functional upgrade. Whether you're looking to increase safety, improve visibility, or simply add a bit of bling, LED lights are a great option. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about installing LED lights on your boat, from choosing the right type of lights to connecting them to a power source. We'll also explore the different ways you can use LED lights to enhance your boating experience, so get ready to set sail with style and illumination!

Know the US Coast Guard regulations for LED lighting on boats

The US Coast Guard has specific requirements for boats to meet, often depending on the size of the vessel. These requirements are in place to avoid collisions at night, making your boat visible to others and allowing others to determine your direction of travel relative to them, as well as whether you are under power or sail.

For powerboats under 12 meters (39.4 feet) in length, the following requirements must be met:

• Separate or combined red and green sidelights covering 112.5 degrees and visible for 1 nautical mile.
• The white masthead light must cover 225 degrees, be 1 meter above the sidelights, and be visible for 2 nautical miles.
• The white stern light must cover 135 degrees and be visible for 2 nautical miles, or you can substitute one 360-degree all-around white light.

For powerboats that are longer than 39.4 feet (12 meters) but less than 50 meters (164 feet), the requirements are as follows:

• The sidelights (green at starboard and red at port) should be visible at a distance of 2 nautical miles and show an unbroken light from dead ahead to 112.5 degrees on either side.
• An aft-facing white stern light, showing an unbroken arc of 135 degrees (67.5 degrees on each side of the vessel), must also be visible at a distance of 2 nautical miles.
• A forward-facing white "masthead" light must show an unbroken beam of 225 degrees (112.5 degrees on each side) with a visibility of 3 nautical miles. It should be placed at least 1 meter above the sidelights.

Sailboats under 20 meters (65.6 feet) have the following options for displaying navigation lights:

• Display a green light at the starboard side, a red light at the port side (or a bi-color light combining both), and a white light off the stern, with the same beam angle and distance visibility requirements as powerboats.
• Display a tri-color light off the top of the mast, including a red light to port, a green light to starboard, and a white light aft, all in a single light creating a full circle. This option can only be used when under sail.
• Display a green light off the starboard bow, a red light off the port bow, and a white light off the stern, with the option to display additional red and green all-round lights at the top of the mast, 1 meter above the uppermost sail.

It is important to note that the requirements mentioned above are federal regulations, and individual states may have additional laws and specific requirements for navigation lights. Boat owners should consult their local government and boating agencies for comprehensive compliance.

Choose marine-grade LED lights

Marine-grade LED lights are a great way to add style, safety, and functionality to your boat. When choosing marine-grade LED lights, there are several important factors to consider.

Firstly, you need to determine the purpose of the lights and the desired lighting effects. Do you want a subtle accent or a full light show? Marine-grade LED lights come in a variety of colours and can be static or dynamic, offering different lighting modes and effects. You can choose from single-colour LED lights or million-colour LED strips that provide a wide range of colour combinations to suit your preferences.

Secondly, consider the location of the lights on your boat. Will they be installed in the deck, cockpit, cabin, or other specific areas? This will help you choose the appropriate type of LED lights, such as deck lights, cabin lights, or rail lights. Additionally, consider the mounting options available, such as adhesive strips, mounting clips, or zip ties, ensuring they are suitable for the intended location.

Thirdly, it is crucial to select LED lights with the appropriate weatherproofing and waterproofing levels. Look for IP65-rated LED strips if you're lighting the cabin or interior areas. For lights near the boat's outer edge or on the hull, opt for IP67-rated waterproof LED strips to ensure they can withstand water exposure.

Furthermore, pay attention to the voltage requirements of the LED lights. Most boats use a 12V power source, so ensure the lights are compatible. You may also need a DC voltage regulator to prevent voltage spikes and protect your LEDs from issues like dimming, loss of hearing, fading, or burnouts.

Lastly, consider the ease of installation and any necessary accessories. Some LED lights come with detailed instructions and all the required components for installation, while others may require additional purchases. Check if you need controllers, remotes, connectors, or wire bundles to complete the installation.

By carefully considering these factors, you can choose marine-grade LED lights that meet your specific needs, creating a unique and functional lighting experience for your boat.

Understand the IP rating system for waterproofing

When installing LED lights on a boat, it's important to consider the level of waterproofing you'll need. This is where the IP rating system comes in. IP stands for Ingress Protection, which is a standard that rates how well a product is protected from solids and liquids.

The IP rating consists of two digits. The first digit indicates the level of protection against solids, while the second indicates the level of protection against liquids. Here's a breakdown of what each number means:

• The first number ranges from 0 to 6. 0 means no protection against solids, while 6 means fully protected from dust or small debris.
• The second number ranges from 0 to 8. A higher number indicates greater protection against liquids. For example, a rating of 0 means no protection against liquids, while a rating of 8 means the product can be submerged in water beyond a depth of 1 meter.
• IP20: Offers some dust resistance but no water resistance. Suitable for indoor use.
• IP64: Protected against vertically falling drops of water but not against water sprayed from other directions.
• IP65: Protected against water splashes from any direction, making it suitable for outdoor use and rain exposure. Not suitable for submersion.
• IP67: Water-resistant and can withstand temporary submersion (up to 10 minutes). Not suitable for extended submersion.
• IP68: Waterproof and can withstand continuous immersion in water beyond a depth of 1 meter. Suitable for underwater applications.

When choosing LED lights for your boat, consider the location of the lights and the potential for water exposure. If your lights are near the outer edge or hull of the boat, you'll need a higher level of waterproofing (IP67 or higher). For cabin lighting, a lower IP rating (IP65) may be sufficient.

Wire your lights directly into your boat's 12V battery

Wiring your lights directly into your boat's 12V battery is a simple process, but there are some important considerations to keep in mind.

First and foremost, it is crucial to ensure that your boat's power source is indeed 12V. Many boats have regulators built-in to prevent power spikes, but if your boat doesn't have this feature, you can protect your LEDs with a DC voltage regulator. This is important because, without regulation, the 12V battery can sometimes output more voltage (up to 13 or 14 volts), which can cause issues with your LED lights, such as dimming, loss of hearing, fading, light pattern baldness, or even burnouts.

When wiring your lights, you'll want to run all negative leads directly to the negative side of the battery. From the positive side of the battery, run a wire (fused and preferably 16 AWG or larger) to a switch, and then connect all the positive wires from your lights to the other side of the switch. This will complete the circuit and power your lights.

Additionally, consider the placement of your lights. If they are near the outer edge of your boat or on the hull, you'll want to use waterproof LED strip lights with an IP67 rating. For cabin lighting, a weatherproof rating of IP65 will suffice.

Finally, when it comes to mounting your lights, the adhesive that comes standard on the LED strips should be sufficient for cabin installation, but for more durability, you can use super-strong foam mounting tape. For IP67 strips, they usually come with mounting clips that can be screwed into place, or you can use silicone sealant as a mounting option.

Mount your lights using adhesive or mounting clips

When it comes to mounting your LED lights on a boat, there are a few options to consider. If you are mounting LED strip lights inside the cabin or in other areas away from water, the adhesive that comes standard on the strips should work just fine. Just make sure you're mounting them on a smooth, dry, and clean surface.

If you are looking for something tougher, you can use super-strong foam mounting tape. This type of tape is commonly used for IP65-rated strips, which are weatherproof and suitable for areas that may get splashed but are not fully submerged.

For fully waterproof LED strips (rated IP67), there is no included adhesive as the strip is contained in a waterproof silicon sleeve. These strips usually come with mounting clips that can be screwed in anywhere you need them. However, you may not want to drill holes in your boat, in which case you can use a strong silicone sealant as a mounting option. Zip ties are another option that can be used in various scenarios.

If you are installing LED strips in storage spaces, you can use the compactness of the strips to your advantage by mounting them discreetly yet effectively, providing lighting that will be helpful when searching for supplies at night without taking up valuable space.

For a more attractive and indirect lighting effect, you can mount the strips along the underside of the deck's rail. This will provide functional and appealing illumination without causing unwanted reflections or glare.

Frequently asked questions