Bluewater LED install

[rockhardtackle]

Getting ready to order a Bluewater LED kit and need a qualified installer in the Birmingham, AL area. I have seen a list of dealers but nothing as far as installers goes.

[Mike Daleo]

Most of our Alabama dealers are qualified installers with the exception of the automotive ones.

[rockhardtackle]

Thanks Mike. Looks like I just need to find the right dealer and get it set up then. I want lights in all my boxes as well as my livewell. Don't care anything about deck lights. Just for my convenience, not for other's to look at. Is there a way to put switches on box lids so that they will come on when the lid is opened and off when it is closed like a refrigerator door?

[Hookset41a]

The easiest way that I have found and use to turn on hatch lights when opening the hatch is to use a mercury type switch. I use ones designed for car alarms as I have a abundant supply but I believe Basscat also has something similar that comes in a molded black housing that looks great as far as switches go. I have seen people use a spring pin switch type but do not recomend them as they require you to drill a hole in the water drain channel and almost always fail, leak or both.....

[rockhardtackle]

Thanks brother. Are the mercury switches affordable? You interested in selling 7 or 8 of them if you got extras? I plan to run everything to an accessory switch on the console, fix the boxes where they will illuminate only while open and then install a second separate switch to enable me to leave the livewell illuminated constantly when it is filled.

Just talked to Justin Elliott and he will be handling the install for me. Looking into the switches. Might just put a toggle in each box.


Modified by rockhardtackle at 2:05 PM 12/21/2011

[Mike Daleo]

Justin is a good guy. We have a spec on a mercury switch we are working on if you guys have any trouble.

[rockhardtackle]

Thanks Mike. Justin seemed like a good guy and very knowledgeable about the product. His install rates are very affordable and after talking with him, I trust him to lay a drill bit on my brand new shiny boat.

What is your opinion on mercury switches vs toggle switches. Justin brought up an aspect I had not considered with the mercury switches as far as durability and how they might hold up when I get them soaking wet fishing in the rain.

[Mike Daleo]

I am glad you asked. My opinion on mercury switches is that mercury has no place in a boat or an enclosed compartment. The switches we used to carry were discontinued and the reason they gave us was that they had been pressured by the govt to discontinue the product. That says to me that they did not have enough money to pay the EPA.

I want you to consider that the lights will draw very little power and so when you turn on all lights at the same time it will not draw much at all. This simplifies the install taking a good hour off it.

[rockhardtackle]

Thanks Mike. I think I'd still prefer to have toggle switches on each individual box just because I'm anal like that but you have definitely raised yet another valid argument against the mercury switches. Toggles it is...

[EdDavisKY]

What I did with Mikes lights on my rig was after buying lights and enough of his water proof push button switches for each compartment and the battery compartment. Was take out the factory lights and wire his lights in instead and then wire in his switch as well in, all done using the factory wiring.
Now when I turn on the master light switch all the compartments are powered, and all you have to do is push his switch and you have lights.

Forgive my poor writing but muscle relaxers and pain pills seen to have some what of an effect on typing skills But hope you get the idea.

One thing I have learned about Mike's Blue Water lights they are great. I have had them on my last two rigs and also have them on my truck. He stands behind his product and will do almost anything to make sure you are happy with his product.

[rockhardtackle]

That is basically exactly what I am doing. Everything goes to a master switch that I will be able to turn on/off. Once the master switch is on I will be able to control each box, the livewell and deck lights separately. The boxes will each have a switch inside and the switch for the livewell and deck lights will be hidden under the console.

Only difference is that I don't have existing factory wiring so I will be pulling wire and tying into the accessory switch which currently controls a courtesy light.