Portable Lighting Question

[wolfman-k]

I'm going to add some 12v lighting in my Otter, & I'd like to find out if I can use a regular 110v dimmer switch for my lights, or do I have to find a 12v switch? I'm installing two 30 bulb LED truck back-up lights, and the idea of being able to dim them seems like a good one. Thanks for any help.

[18 inch Crappie]

Radio Shack has a 12v dimmer switch

[JohnMickish]

Yes, a 120V dimmer will work. You could probably do something pretty cool with mounting a box in there and giving it a nice, finished look. Just make sure you don't purchase an electronic dimmer, that won't work but a cheap resistive dimmer will be just fine. Hmmm, I might have to steal your idea and so something with mine.

[wolfman-k]

Thanks guys, feel free to steal the idea, I am willing to share, besides I think I borrowed the idea from last season's portable lighting thread. If I couldn't use a 120v dimmer, I thought maybe I could get an interior auto dome light dimmer at a used auto parts place and try that. And thanks mnfinshingguy, I plan on putting some kind of box mount in my sled.

[JohnMickish]

Where did you get those back up lights? I've been looking for some. What did you have to pay, $30 each?

[wolfman-k]

I ordered them from Super Bright LEDs. I have a double wide Otter, so I need light for each side. I tried the rope light thing-dump-and the light strip just isn't enough either, so I'm hoping that this will be the last set-up I'll need. I believe they are $30 each, plus wires & bracket. (Shipping & extras Total around $85).

[Kaz]

Wolfman, I have the LED backup lamps and they give off a lot of light. It is a blueish, or whiter light, but it works great. I tested Two lamps turned on, 56 LEDS, with a 12vdc flasher battery I got from Fleet Farm, and after three days, it was as bright as at first turned on.. I think it's the only way to go. I also have a crank down 16footer and I changed two of the dome lights out to save the deep cell batteries for the Marine Radio, TV and FM stero. Never have to worry about re-charging on a "three day'er" on the pond... Kaz

[Gordie]

Hi guys great ideas, Last year I used a 12 volt florecent light and I got it at an auto parts store It was one of those cigerette lighter plug in work lights. I took the plastic lense off and that works very well. it also luminates my mono line by the hole . I think RV places also carry florecent fixtures for 12 volt. This year I'm goig to try to use a battery from my Fl-8 to run them just to see how long they will last.

[Ed Carlson]

There are many new options in LED lighting in the 6-12V range. There are rechargable LED shop lights, 6-8 LEB bars with built in flip doods that swith it on and off, waterproof livewell clusters are a good option too.

The LED flip door bars are a easy to use rig for permanants as well as most larger portables. The new LED Vex light is a very smart system for light huts and hit and run on the ice mobile anglers. I predict they will be a hot item this winter.

Rope is good for general lighting, not large area lighting.

Hope this is of help guys and galls.

[Scoot]

New Vex light? Ed, who could have dreamt up something so brilliant?!?

[CNY Tim]

About time Ed! Quite a few of us here got burn't with the Clam light rope system. Red or white LED it did not matter. Found out there was a flood or something at one of there suppliers or the manufacturer where they made em.

I have been using the HT Sonar Night Light for years and it does the job great... I had the original Vex lights the snake plastic one and I was not impressed, it barely illuminated the hole. Hopefully these new ones will be something to behold. How much are they going for Ed?

[scaup]

Rather than start a new thread I thought I would try to get the info off of this one. I have a fish trap guide and would like to do some modifications. I am wondering where you get the LED lights. Is there any retailer that carries them. I am one of those challenged indviduals that needs to lay his hands on something that I am going to buy. If I order it from somewhere I will need some pretty specific direcitons or I will probably mess it up. Any info would be helpful. Thanks.

[LaZyDayZ]

Quote:

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Rather than start a new thread I thought I would try to get the info off of this one. I have a fish trap guide and would like to do some modifications. I am wondering where you get the LED lights. Is there any retailer that carries them. I am one of those challenged indviduals that needs to lay his hands on something that I am going to buy. If I order it from somewhere I will need some pretty specific direcitons or I will probably mess it up. Any info would be helpful. Thanks.

---

Probably would be a good idea to come up to the portable modification show on September 23rd. Info is posted in this forum.

I'm sure you will leave with a lot of good ideas.

[Burchoid]

Here is something to chew on for a less expensive more "customized" LED solution. Imagine having 20 little holes drilled each about 4" appart in one of your aluminum tubes for your ice house, each with a LED light fit in snuggly.

Go to google and search for "Red tag Joe's LED" Should be the 2nd option down. Shows you how to make your own light string using speaker wire and standard inexpensive LEDs. I would post the link but I think FM blocks direct links.

You will also need a resistance calculator to figure out the right resistor to use in Ohms. I have a link to a very simple web based version. Email me if interested. One resitor can be used for the whole thing and can be bought at radio shak for dirt cheap.

[nitroant]

If your looking for pre-made lights, I am using the Maxxima 4" back-up light with 54 bulbs. You can get them at any Peterbilt dealer or watch hsolist motors for LED back-up lights. They are nice sealed lights and you just have to add enough wire to get to a battery. I have mine wired to a vexilar battery and it lasts 15+ hours on one charge. The lights are spendy, but if you watch hsolist you can get a decent deal on them. If your looking for a buy it, install it, use it light, these are the ticket. Very durable and I don't worry about mine or baby it at all. I have not missed the hiss from a lantern or the cool down period before storing lantern one bit.

[scaup]

Thanks for the feedback and keep it comming... Nitroant - do you use a set of these lights or is one pod enough?

[nitroant]

I just used the one 54 bulb light last year. Had it in the center, acts just like a dome light in a car. The white snow/ice helps spread the light across the floor area. I think its plenty of light to see what your doing. I might mess around with two this year just because I have one to try and to see if it is any better or worse. I used to use a propane lantern in the middle of the house on the floor and I think this is just as good if not better and more of a white light than the yellowish light a lantern has.

[old_school]

I use the sylvania dot_it led lights in my portable. I used velcro to hold them in place. i have 3 in my house and i can see fine. the lable says they will go 100 hours on one set of aaa batteries.