on call, nothing to do but wait..... deleted personal content
Back to front Sam. Too high a voltage and thus current and they stop working period. LED's actually run on very low voltage - typically 1.8 to 3.3 volts depending on the colour. To run them on a higher voltage, one of three things is done.
First option is to wire them in series - as an example if they are a 3.3 volt LED, 4 of them wired in series across 12 volts means they are within their operating spec (charging voltages aside).
Second option is to bias them with a resistor so as to avoid excess voltage/ current flow. This is how the strip lights are usually done and also how most indicator lamps are done. The resistor creates the necessary voltage drop so the LED isn't overdriven. Resistors do not make any active adjustment in response to a lower input voltage - thus the LED dims.
The third option is with a power supply - this is what is in a lot of LED spotlights and household LED globes. It's also the reason that DC powered lighting can have variable voltage input and still function at the same brilliance. It's the power supply that is converting the input voltage to that required by the LED. A properly designed power supply won't have an issue with any voltage within it's specified range. If it's a crap design of course all bets are off. These power supplies can be either constant voltage or constant current. The type used will be dictated by the LED arrangement within the light module.
on call, nothing to do but wait..... deleted personal content
I use the alloy extrusion mounted ones. They are anchored up under the gunwale on brackets that hang off the supports for the cables. Under the side pocket will be too low and be subject to water IMO and it won't light the side pockets interior. I have also fitted secondary switches for each side beside where we sit when fishing up under the gunwale so that if I need to turn the lights on to bait a hook etc, I don't have to get up. As for the flexible strip lights, personally I think they are shite. Seen more than enough destroyed by water or hanging down because the cheap two sided backing tape has let go.
Came assembled Col.I just got them off ebay. Do a search for "Rigid LED strip lights". There's a heap of them. Also available from camping stores, most ships chandlers, Autobarn, Jaycar etc but they will be more. The ones I got weren't long enough to go between the cable fixtures so I bolted a bit of lightweight aluminium angle in there and bolted the lights to that. Lights all bar a strip down the middle up like a disco. There are better quality ones available from Hella or Narva that are water proof with plastic surrounds - the price tag reflects the better quality though.
I have 2 small floods mounted at each end, I did have one large one in thr middle (still have it somewhere) but I found that too much shadow across the baitboard at night when ever anyone stood there.
What has become the "typical" set up is a pair of flood lights. I don't have anything as I have a removable extension that if there, blocks the light. I just use the LED internal light for bait board work - you don't need a heap of light most times and if you do, a LED headlamp gives a more usable outcome without any shadowing issues. You already have the bar light mount in place - if you were happy with the outcome, I'd just use that. The old bar light maybe suitable for an under gunwale application or a good in cabin light??
All depends on your eyes Col. Personally using red or other colours is something I hate. Always good to have at least one light somewhere that will be bright enough to sort out any whoopsies that may require minor surgery. A good cabin light can also be useful if the minister for war and finance is more into reading than fishing so to speak. I have seen similar LED lights at Boating and RV I think.
Thanks Scott.
I Live a great existence, My lovely wife gets sea sick in a bath tub, fishing programmes on TV make her Woosie,,, most of my mates can't believe I'm alowed to continue with my fishing/boating pleasure, I am truly blessed .... She will travel up to Bermy or Portland with us and enjoys just relaxing/shopping sometimes with my decky's wife, while I ravish in my passion...... I am blessed LOL. I am going to try take her on lake Eildon when the boat gets back on the water, she has in the past been on large houseboats there, if not only to prove it's mind over matter, her whole family are the same, go figure.....
Back to LED lights, Yep, I'll stick with the blue led's under the gunnels and just go for another white up above...... done.
Col
over all, this was a great thread...