Installing a L.E.D. Pop-Up Navigation Light

[hotdaddy27]

This is my install process of an ACCON LED Nav. Light. It is a fairly simple process, although cutting a 3-1/2" hole in the deck of your boat is not an easy thing to come to grips with.

The first step was to remove the forward bulk-head to provide access. I had to disconnect the speakers and pull the wiring to get the bulk-head out. This allowed me to snip the power/ground wires going to the existing navigation light.

 

[nathan]

those are some really nice lights!!

 

[hotdaddy27]

Next I removed the two screws from the existing nav. light and pulled it off.

 

[hotdaddy27]

Then I made a template of the outside of the new nav. light (forgot to take a pic of the template). I found centerline and marked it, and then found centerline in relationship to the 3-1/2" hole saw called for in the directions. None: CL of the light and CL of the opening are not the same.

I drew a line in pencil from the CL of the front cleat to the CL of the nose of the boat and lined up the Template.

Placed painter's tape over the area to be drilled to prevent chipping and drilled a pilot hole. After drilling a pilot hole I went in the boat two or three different times to make sure I was OK to drill the BIG ONE!

 

[hotdaddy27]

Time to drill! I purchased a brand new hole saw although I had one in inventory. I wanted a nice clean, effortless cut and that is what I got.

If cutting into the deck of your baby with a 3-1/2" hole saw doesn't pucker your cheeks you are a better man than I.

I wanted to move the hole aft a bit, but the color variation and imprint from the existing light did not allow me to. I hope there is room for the bezel!

 

[hotdaddy27]

Time to get the blood pressure back to normal!

 

[hotdaddy27]

The new light and the drain cup.

 

[hotdaddy27]

Here is what the light looks like just sitting in place. It is just laying there, so there is room to center it if the picture appears off center.

The deck is not totally flat, so I am hoping that a bezel will "flex" into shape where as the stainless steel frame of the light will not, leaving a gap on the sides.

Next I will wire, connect the drain tubes to the cleat drainage and fasten. Before I can fasten down, I need to install bezels (yes bezelS, becasue I have to make the cleats match the light now $$$)

 

[DropTop5.0]

Looking great HD. Hows the saying go...measure twice cut once? How many times did you measure?

 

[RNGRDVE]

Looks great Hot Mama. I was thinking about doing that on my Starfire but being so cheap I will probably just purchase a standard light.

 

[SKATR186]

That is a large opening that you cut into that gel. Looks great cannot wait to see it all lit up.

 

[Don's89 Senator]

I bet your hands were sweating when you pulled the trigger.

 

[Kurtster]

Time to get the blood pressure back to normal!

Oh boy I know that feeling......
That pop up is gonna look really kool ----- should've done that on my restoration {woulda / shoulda / coulda}.

Do you know what the view distance is for that LED --- maybe 3 to 5 nm ?

 

[hotdaddy27]

Looking great HD. Hows the saying go...measure twice cut once? How many times did you measure?

At least 10 !

 

[hotdaddy27]

Oh boy I know that feeling......
That pop up is gonna look really kool ----- should've done that on my restoration {woulda / shoulda / coulda}.

Do you know what the view distance is for that LED --- maybe 3 to 5 nm ?

They state USCG approved for 2 NM's.

HD

 

[CHECK16]

Looking great HD. Hows the saying go...measure twice cut once? How many times did you measure?

No lie.
I had mine taped up and marked out for 2 days before i drilled. I must have walked out to the garage 10 times checking it from different angles to make sure it was centered.
Once that hole saw digs in there is no turning back.

 

[DropTop5.0]

I'm not sure I could do it. I'd make Satasha do it so I could blame someone.

 

[hotdaddy27]

Update: Got a bezel template from Eddie Marine, and it is too tight to fit.

I am going to use Clear RTV Silicone to seal any gaps (when I say gap I am talking a 1/32" gap on the sides only).

I will take some pics when I make some progress this w/e.

HD

 

[JW]

Looking great HD!

 

[Rob B]

HD I would've cut that hole for you! Nice job on the installation!!