ok well being in Minnesota during the winter boating is out so i might as well do a lighting project for my seadoo challenger please let me know what you think since i really have nothing else to do since its -16F today. i plan on making 4 led arrays. each array can change color to RED, BLUE and GREEN. total cost of this project is around $30 which is a huge savings over the store ones that run around $120 for just one light. i decided to use three colors because i wasnt sure what color i would like best.
First item i needed was a voltage regulator, it can take 5v-24v in and its adjustable output as long as it less then 2v below the input voltage so i will be running 3 LEDs with each resistor so i need a constant 10V. you could just resistor it for the 12.5v of the battery but when the stator kicks in the voltage will change and LEDs need a stable voltage so the 10V regulator. its nice since it will show you the input voltage and the output voltage. i then plan on placing the array in fiberglass resin, which is the same as epoxy but alot cheaper and sold by the quart or gallon, the array will only have the tips of the LEDs sticking out of the resin since the LEDs are already waterproof. if i wanted i could add a bolt to the back of the resin for a thru hull application but i plan on using epoxy or silicone to attach it in case i want to change it to under the swim platform in case there not bright enough for below the water line.
$6 voltage regulator
$3 40 super bright blue LEDs
$3 40 super bright red LEDs
$3 40 super bright green LEDS
$5 circuit boards
$4 resistors
$9 resin
here is some pics of what i accomplished this evening, as you can see each array has 6 LEDs of the same color so there is a total of 18 LEDs, i will control the colors with a switch for each color and i plan on using CAT 5 wire since it has 7 wires in the cable and already water proof. CAT 5 if usually used in data cables and sprinkler systems. now 3 more to make and pour into the mold. i also plan on putting the voltage regulator and the switches in a small waterproof box. all the arrays will be in series so i will only one switch for each color. also i still need to cut down the board so they will only measure 3x2 inches
First item i needed was a voltage regulator, it can take 5v-24v in and its adjustable output as long as it less then 2v below the input voltage so i will be running 3 LEDs with each resistor so i need a constant 10V. you could just resistor it for the 12.5v of the battery but when the stator kicks in the voltage will change and LEDs need a stable voltage so the 10V regulator. its nice since it will show you the input voltage and the output voltage. i then plan on placing the array in fiberglass resin, which is the same as epoxy but alot cheaper and sold by the quart or gallon, the array will only have the tips of the LEDs sticking out of the resin since the LEDs are already waterproof. if i wanted i could add a bolt to the back of the resin for a thru hull application but i plan on using epoxy or silicone to attach it in case i want to change it to under the swim platform in case there not bright enough for below the water line.
$6 voltage regulator
$3 40 super bright blue LEDs
$3 40 super bright red LEDs
$3 40 super bright green LEDS
$5 circuit boards
$4 resistors
$9 resin
here is some pics of what i accomplished this evening, as you can see each array has 6 LEDs of the same color so there is a total of 18 LEDs, i will control the colors with a switch for each color and i plan on using CAT 5 wire since it has 7 wires in the cable and already water proof. CAT 5 if usually used in data cables and sprinkler systems. now 3 more to make and pour into the mold. i also plan on putting the voltage regulator and the switches in a small waterproof box. all the arrays will be in series so i will only one switch for each color. also i still need to cut down the board so they will only measure 3x2 inches
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