Rope lights for cabin
 

Anyone know where to get 12 volt rope lights that would be USCG approved. I installed lights that I got from home depot that were 110 volt and was planning to use a power inverter to run them, but I got thinking, what if something happened to the boat and the insurance wouldn't cover it because I had the wrong equipment. With my luck something like that would happen. I know that I seen similar light in other boats and assume that they were 12 volt. These lights work great. they don't blind you when you look at them and they illuminate the cabin unbelievably well.

I'm not sure if you have any "Targets" in your area but I just purchased some from there. I think they had white , red and blue in the 12volt. I went the power inverter route because they had purple in the 110volt. I think they had 12' and 25' lengths. They are wired like Christmas lights so one can be plugged into another.

If you cannot find them I could recheck the availability and make a purchase for you ?!

I'm not sure about USCG approved ?!

Do an internet seach for LED lights. If you have trouble let me know. I have found several sites.

The nearest Target in my area is 2 1/2 hours away:rolleyes: but buy chance I will be going by it in the next few days.:D You didn't happen to pick them up around Christmas when all the lights are on sale or are they a normally stocked idem?????

No maybe a week ago.

The 12volt ones were near the automotive area. I'm not sure if this a regular stock item ?!

Give them a call first ?!

Go to your local strip club and rip them off the stage and RUN LIKE HELL!!!! :D:D

Audio ROTFLMAO :D :D

I just found a sight that has marine lights. 1/2" X 30' 12 volt kit is $64.50 a kit. they come in assorted colors. But I will still check in Target.

http://www.northwood-marine.com/order.html

My boat has a ton of these lights. They are not bright enough to read by and they draw a lot of power. I am changing mine out and using high output LED's. Much brighter and white light and use almost no power.

Outwater plastics (1800-888-3315) also carry the low voltage stuff. $1.35/foot for a 30 foot length and $1.15/foot for 150 feet.

I used the line votage tubing in my bed room. The stuff lights the room with a nice soft glow that you can read by. It adds just the right amount of "mood" lighting-if you know what I mean. ;) I don't know how much (if at all) dimmer the low stuff is.

I have 1/2" 110 volt light in the cabin and they light it up very well. is the 12 volt stuff dimmer????

Checkout ebay. Search "rope light","rope lighting"

Thanks! You now owe me a new keyboard and a bottle of Corona!! :cool:

Don't you guys know anything????????
 

Check out the products from www.PowerBoatLighting.com

I picked up their brochure at teh LA boat show. Pretty cool stuff. Both for dock lighting, engines areas and cocktail areas.......remember, all cool stuff comes from California.

:D :D :D :D :D

Rope Light
 

Actually what most people are using today is technically, primarily called "Light Rope". Rope light was introduced to the American market in the late 70's and was popular in discos. Rope Light is hollow flexible plastic tubing with wires and lamps pulled through it. The new stuff "Light Rope" is much newer and is an extruded poly type material although there is some cross naming in the industry. It is available in several voltages and numerous colors and circuit availabilities. The downside to 12 volt for your boat is dimming. DC dimmers are much more costly than simple AC dimmers and are really variable DC voltage regulators. The upside is you can always have light from your batteries. Typical wattage for most lightrope is 5.5 watts per foot. There are "systems" available from WalMart and others but most are not condusive to cutting and custom wiring. Many do not have "cut" marks. You must cut lightrope at specific points as it is wired in series parallell and cutting incorrectly will cause you to lose the use of many lamps. The Walmart system is designed to be used as it is sold without cutting to length or modifying. There are several companies selling lightrope in the $.75 to $.90 range per foot if bought in any reasonable quantity ( 150 ft ). For really nice, custom installations any of the big wholesalers have special couplings, mounting devices, repair items, and technical help for use. Maximum length of a single run is limited in specific voltages. Most 120 volt is good for 150 ft. Most 12 volt is usually good for 25 ft or so. Check with the manufacturer for exact details.

Look in Google Search for "Lightrope".

I bought these in red and clear.

A 12ft strip draws 1.5 amps.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/product.jht...D=5235&BQ=jcw2

A pic

Wal-Mart here has them in the automotive department.

Boater's World here in Richmond had them.. 12V

After you get the strip club lights up, contact Lutzparty and ask how he mounted the pole. LOL

No use reinventing the wheel!

Way to call it Audiofn.