The Boating Forum - 12v led rope light install questions

Hey guys i need a little direction in regards to hooking up some led lights. I currently have a remote switch that turns on some courtesy lights and im wondering if i can just splice into those wires so that my rope lights will engage with the courtesy lights.

Any suggestions would help alot!

I would say yes because led's use very little power. I would use heat shrink wrap to protect the connections.

Hey guys i need a little direction in regards to hooking up some led lights. I currently have a remote switch that turns on some courtesy lights and im wondering if i can just splice into those wires so that my rope lights will engage with the courtesy lights.

Any suggestions would help alot!

No problem. 12V LEDs draw very little power, simply terminate the 12V+ lead to the bottom position of your switch (assuming you have a rocker or toggle switch), the 12V- goes to your ground bus bar. Use a piggyback spade connector for the 12V+...

It's possible that the rope lights use smaller wires than what the original circuit uses and that the fuse or circuit breaker is rated too high for the rope lights. You may be able to replace the fuse or circuit breaker with the appropriate value or you could use an in-line fuse holder where you make the connection to the switch.

Hey guys i need a little direction in regards to hooking up some led lights. I currently have a remote switch that turns on some courtesy lights and im wondering if i can just splice into those wires so that my rope lights will engage with the courtesy lights.

Any suggestions would help alot!

That is what I did with mine. Looks good.

It's possible that the rope lights use smaller wires than what the original circuit uses and that the fuse or circuit breaker is rated too high for the rope lights. You may be able to replace the fuse or circuit breaker with the appropriate value or you could use an in-line fuse holder where you make the connection to the switch.

Ron, I've installed quite a few of ScarabChris' tape lights, their draw can't be more than, oh, I'd guess .5-1 A. 28GA leads. So I would, in theory, want to protect with a 1.5A fuse. Unfortunately, this will render the concept of tying into the cockpit light circuit null and void, as their draw is probably around 3A, protected by a 5A breaker or fuse. So, yes, adding an in-line (like the small GA ones that come with electronics) will protect the LEDs at the rated amperage, yet still allow them to function off the cockpit/courtesy light switch...

Ron, I've installed quite a few of ScarabChris' tape lights, their draw can't be more than, oh, I'd guess .5-1 A. 28GA leads. So I would, in theory, want to protect with a 1.5A fuse. Unfortunately, this will render the concept of tying into the cockpit light circuit null and void, as their draw is probably around 3A, protected by a 5A breaker or fuse. So, yes, adding an in-line (like the small GA ones that come with electronics) will protect the LEDs at the rated amperage, yet still allow them to function off the cockpit/courtesy light switch...

:thumbsup:

Just trying to make people safe, that's all.

For reference
At 60 LEDs per meter you would have roughly 20 per ft. with the SMD style LEDs the draw is only.1amps per ft. Most "rope" lights have less than 20 per ft so even if they are using a less efficient LED the draw would be substatially less per foot

For reference
At 60 LEDs per meter you would have roughly 20 per ft. with the SMD style LEDs the draw is only.1amps per ft. Most "rope" lights have less than 20 per ft so even if they are using a less efficient LED the draw would be substatially less per foot

We need to protect the wires from the 12 volt source to the LED strip. That's the point I am trying to make.

We need to protect the wires from the 12 volt source to the LED strip. That's the point I am trying to make.

Dont disagree with you . Anything you are connecting should be fused My comment was only to back up the very low power draw of this type of lighting