theroofable
Member
Here is an install I did for my fire company on our boat (I know its not much of a boat, but it is what it is, and serves its purpose well). We have a few large fishing lakes in our area as well as a creek which leads to the Deleware Bay. The creek is 9 miles long, and has many fingers and another 5 mile creek which joins it. This area is frequented by commercial crabbers and hunters, and is actually almost as busy in the winter as when the recreational boats are out in the summer. Our department covers all of that area. We average around 2 calls per year where we have to use the boat, sometimes more, sometimes less.
Since the current engine we have on it is not capable of charging a battery, I had to come up with a solution. I went with a glass-mat battery, which is a long lasting, lightweight battery. I also installed a waterproof automatic battery maintainer to keep it at the right level. The battery will run all the lights for 4-6 hours, which is way longer than the boat will be out, probably light by the time it dies. It is rated for 5 hours at 8amps, and weighs only 38 pounds. I also installed a custom waterproof switchbox/ fuse box, and USCG navigation lights to make it safe for night operation.
The creek is tidal marshland, so there are reeds which block visibility. In addition to the search lights and navigation lights, I installed a telescopic mount for the beacon, which allows the light to extend enough to be seen from the boat ramp over the reeds. It is actually at a perfect height, and can be seen 2 miles away to the mouth of the bay. When the boat is in operation, our rescue truck has a platform where a few members usually stand to keep an eye out and search with binoculars. The beacon now allows to distinguish between the rescuers and another boat that may be out in the water as well. Before I installed the equipment, I looked at other marine units as well to get some ideas. Another company has a nearly identical boat that usually comes with us for the rescues. They have their lights mounted directly on the bar, blinding the operators eyes. All the lights were mounted to keep the light where it is needed, not in the eyes of the operator.
Equipment list:
3- Soundoff 1400 lumen par 36 flood light
1- Soundoff 500 lumen par 36 flood light
1- Star motorcycle telescopic mount
1- Star Halo led beacon
1- Odyssey PC1200 44 amp hour battery
1- Set of navigation lights (red/green front, white top)
1- Switchbox with 6 waterproof switches
Here is the boat before the lighting install.
Switchbox
Switchbox lit up
Charger mounted
Front view
Closer
Flood lights and beacon
Beacon down
Beacon extended
Front view with lights on
Operators perspective
Navigation lights
I took some pictures today, 9/17, of the boat out on a drill. I wanted to take it out and make sure it worked ok and adjust the lights. The results were great, and the boat was visible from the ramp to almost all points in the creek with the beacon extended.
Launching
Underway
Light output (pictures do not do justice as always)
Front
Side
What a view!
Last are some quick videos of what they look like ontop of the rescue. One with only the beacon, and the other with the flood lights on. It puts out an incredible footprint of light even through the marsh reeds.
Since the current engine we have on it is not capable of charging a battery, I had to come up with a solution. I went with a glass-mat battery, which is a long lasting, lightweight battery. I also installed a waterproof automatic battery maintainer to keep it at the right level. The battery will run all the lights for 4-6 hours, which is way longer than the boat will be out, probably light by the time it dies. It is rated for 5 hours at 8amps, and weighs only 38 pounds. I also installed a custom waterproof switchbox/ fuse box, and USCG navigation lights to make it safe for night operation.
The creek is tidal marshland, so there are reeds which block visibility. In addition to the search lights and navigation lights, I installed a telescopic mount for the beacon, which allows the light to extend enough to be seen from the boat ramp over the reeds. It is actually at a perfect height, and can be seen 2 miles away to the mouth of the bay. When the boat is in operation, our rescue truck has a platform where a few members usually stand to keep an eye out and search with binoculars. The beacon now allows to distinguish between the rescuers and another boat that may be out in the water as well. Before I installed the equipment, I looked at other marine units as well to get some ideas. Another company has a nearly identical boat that usually comes with us for the rescues. They have their lights mounted directly on the bar, blinding the operators eyes. All the lights were mounted to keep the light where it is needed, not in the eyes of the operator.
Equipment list:
3- Soundoff 1400 lumen par 36 flood light
1- Soundoff 500 lumen par 36 flood light
1- Star motorcycle telescopic mount
1- Star Halo led beacon
1- Odyssey PC1200 44 amp hour battery
1- Set of navigation lights (red/green front, white top)
1- Switchbox with 6 waterproof switches
Here is the boat before the lighting install.
Switchbox
Switchbox lit up
Charger mounted
Front view
Closer
Flood lights and beacon
Beacon down
Beacon extended
Front view with lights on
Operators perspective
Navigation lights
I took some pictures today, 9/17, of the boat out on a drill. I wanted to take it out and make sure it worked ok and adjust the lights. The results were great, and the boat was visible from the ramp to almost all points in the creek with the beacon extended.
Launching
Underway
Light output (pictures do not do justice as always)
Front
Side
What a view!
Last are some quick videos of what they look like ontop of the rescue. One with only the beacon, and the other with the flood lights on. It puts out an incredible footprint of light even through the marsh reeds.
