Best way to wire in Bimini light

[WalrusLike]

Guys I want to replace my troublesome removable telescoping allround white nav light.

I bought a short pole white light from Whitworths and intend to mount it on the Bimini rod holder. I have two biminis to make a full length cover. The rear Bimini gets removed for fishing but the front one so far is always there.

If I permanently wire the light in, I can't remove the font Bimini. Maybe that's ok, but I don't like losing the option.

I could use a cigarette socket or a in-line cable connector like a Anderson plug. Whatever I use must be low profile because that area of the gunnel is the throttle area... Can't clutter it up.

Anyone done this? How would you do it and where would you buy the bits? Thanks for any thoughts.

[wayno60]

mate is it the boat in your pic???

[Linedropper]

How about a LED battery powered one?

I have a LED (Navi Light) that I mount on the stern of my tiller steer boat for travelling so that it is behind me and then when I anchor I move it up the front so that it is behind behind me for when I am fishing out the back. Keep my night vision that way.

A set of three AAA's last for a few trips and I carry a spare set. The battery powered nav lights probably aren't 100% legal but I'm happy with the brightness.

Whitworths carries the LED light.

[WalrusLike]

Yeah it's the one in my avatar. Thanks but I really prefer to do it once up there out of my vision and then just turn it on or off. The battery idea works well but I would prefer a permanent fix.

I am really starting to lean towards a permanent wiring to a grommet in the gunnel then to the distribution point.

I cant remove Bimini then, but rarely would want to anyway. Less connections equals less points of failure.

[mowerman]

Hi mate.

How about these.
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=PT4405

Rod

.

[WalrusLike]

Thanks Rod... They look good actually. Maybe run down pole then at base 2 of those then into gunnel grommet. Not a bad solution.... Slim and look reliable.

[MikeyS]

Hey Walrus. It's pricey, I know, but have a look at one of these. http://www.ozautoelectrics.com/2-pole-plug-and-socket.html A Hella Marine plug and socket. I used one to do exactly what you are doing and it's noice, really noice. Seals the connections like its meant to whether in use or not. I think mine is a 3 pin actually as I still might connect a deck light to my bimini. I run the cable out of the frame tube through a rubber grommet to protect the wire and into some corrugated tubing, then heat shrinked to the plug.

http://i853.photobucket.com/albums/ab97/mpsquires/connector.jpg

[CATchin'Em]

How about you use a 2-pin deustch plug easy to use and fit removable when needed but a permanent fixed waterproof connection. very cheap. used a lot on mining equipment

[WalrusLike]

That's interesting... It looks perfect. Depends on my doghouse rating....

Did you sika the corrugated to the grommet? Or is it the split corrugated that won't care about water?

Does your heat shrink go over both the plug tail and the corrugated or just the plug tail?

Finnicky micro planner aren't I?!! :)

Planning takes months, purchasing happens in dribs, and then implementation goes pear shaped because I can no longer find the bits.,,

[deckie]

http://volkalighting.com.au/ledstore/products/Transparent-Waterproof-DC-connector-2m-and15-cm-wire.html
pull out thru...
https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemdetail.asp?cat=123&item=32385&intAbsolutePage=1
disconnect and pull back thru when not using.
Will take a pic tomorrow if u need it.
Just another way with a removeable pole light on bimini.

[juggernaut]

Possibilities:

https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemdetail.asp?cat=123&item=33431&intAbsolutePage=1

https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemdetail.asp?cat=123&item=33423&intAbsolutePage=1


https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemdetail.asp?cat=123&item=33755&intAbsolutePage=1 and this https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemdetail.asp?cat=123&item=33756&intAbsolutePage=1 or this https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemdetail.asp?cat=123&item=33779&intAbsolutePage=1


http://www.altronics.com.au/index.asp?area=item&id=P9300

http://www.altronics.com.au/index.asp?area=prod&grp=601 <<< click on page numbers in the top middle for more options.

[WalrusLike]

Thanks heaps fellas.... that's all brilliant. My boat will be better because of your inputs... Thanks.

[MikeyS]

That's interesting... It looks perfect. Depends on my doghouse rating....

Did you sika the corrugated to the grommet? Or is it the split corrugated that won't care about water?

Does your heat shrink go over both the plug tail and the corrugated or just the plug tail?

Finnicky micro planner aren't I?!! :)

Planning takes months, purchasing happens in dribs, and then implementation goes pear shaped because I can no longer find the bits.,,

I used that silicon rubber wrapping tape at the grommet end so it's nearly like a grommet in a grommet, but Sika would be OK too. It really just needs to hold the corr. tube in place.

I did use the split corr. tube- the cable is double insulated so is waterproof itself. The tube is just for a bit of added protection and to make it neater. Each of the two cable wires goes into the plug through a sealed grommet as well so it's all watertight.

The heatshrink goes over the plug tail and the corr.. I should have used the heat shrink with the internal hot-melt adhesive, (job for rainy afternoon). Again, not needed for waterproofing- more for strength and neatness.

Cheers