Halogen 5 x 55W Light Bar for A Frame

andyhuddy · 11 December 2012, 20:08

Hi All,

First post on here!

I have just purchased a rib, I have added a fish finder and now I would like to add a Light Bar to my A Frame. ( can be found here - 2009 Tribal wakeboard tower 5 light bar £149.95 )

I would just like to know what cable would I need & how easy it would be to connect up?

Can I join them onto the Nav Light cable or is the cable too small?

I can run the cable through the A frame & through my hull.

I currently have a switch panel, would it be possible to wire them in with the Nav Lights? To switch on and off on the same switch.

The lights will generally only be used when the engine is running.

Any information would be great! Thank You!

Andy

Pikey Dave · 11 December 2012, 20:15

4x55=210w 210/12=18Amps, I doubt very much that your nav light cable would be upto it.

andyhuddy · 11 December 2012, 20:17

Thought so, would I just have to run new cables? Could you advise on the best cable to use?

Pikey Dave · 11 December 2012, 20:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyhuddy

Thought so, would I just have to run new cables? Could you advise on the best cable to use?

Marine grade tinned copper strand, 2.5mm2 will do nicely.

Bigmuz7 · 11 December 2012, 20:24

Figures are slightly wrong PD as I see it .. even so its gonna melt anything Ive used on a boat .. and then youve got to power it

andyhuddy · 11 December 2012, 20:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Marine grade tinned copper strand, 2.5mm2 will do nicely.

Fantastic Thank You!

Do you know, Can I run this straight to the battery & have a little switch in the battery compartment? It does not need to be on my console to be honest as they will only be used every now and again.

Thanks for your help!

Pikey Dave · 11 December 2012, 20:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

Figures are slightly wrong PD as I see it ..

Doh!! typo, should be 220 not 210, I used the correct figures in the maths though, 18.3A

Bigmuz7 · 11 December 2012, 20:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Doh!! typo, should be 220 not 210, I used the correct figures in the maths though, 18.3A

5x55

Pikey Dave · 11 December 2012, 20:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

5x55

Oh for fecks sake, not only can't I add up, I can't feckin read

Try again 5x55=275w 275/12=22.9A call it 23, I'd be tempted to go up a size in cable from the 2.5mm.

andyhuddy · 11 December 2012, 20:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Oh for fecks sake, not only can't I add up, I can't feckin read

Try again 5x55=275w 275/12=22.9A call it 23, I'd be tempted to go up a size in cable from the 2.5mm.

Ha Ha Ha

I have just checked my battery

It is a Numax Marine MV26MF 100Ah C20

Will this be ok?

Pikey Dave · 11 December 2012, 20:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyhuddy

Ha Ha Ha

I have just checked my battery

It is a Numax Marine MV26MF 100Ah C20

Will this be ok?

That all depends on what the output of your alternator is at the revs you'll be using it at & if you've got anything else running like a daft 1000w sound system or such like & how long it's all going to be running for. Probably safer with a dual battery setup.

Chris Caton · 11 December 2012, 20:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyhuddy

Fantastic Thank You!

Do you know, Can I run this straight to the battery & have a little switch in the battery compartment? It does not need to be on my console to be honest as they will only be used every now and again.

Thanks for your help!

think you'll need a BIG switch for 23amps, and the battery box ain't the best place for anything other than the battery

Pikey Dave · 11 December 2012, 21:12

Just had a look at the link, it tells you the current on the webpage

If you're going to use your boat on anything but flat water, I'll give it...oooh about 1/2 an hour before bits of it(the light bar) start falling off

willk · 11 December 2012, 21:17

Um, maths to one side, what are you planning to use the lighting for?

Leapy · 12 December 2012, 04:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Um, maths to one side, what are you planning to use the lighting for?

Rabbit shooting? However, the strategy may be flawed :-)

andyhuddy · 12 December 2012, 07:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Um, maths to one side, what are you planning to use the lighting for?

We will only ever be using it when we stay out late when the sea is flat to wakeboard/waterski and play on the toys, just zipping round in flat water in Abersoch.

willk · 12 December 2012, 10:43

AH, OK. I see. More for the look of it then than any practical application? If it's dark enough to require floodlighting, it will ruin your night vision, bright enough to not need night vision and you won't need them anyway.

They'll look the part though - like you're out lamping seals

9D280 · 13 December 2012, 10:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Caton

think you'll need a BIG switch for 23amps,

Just use a relay like your car headlamps.

I do agree with the total loss of night vision & jezz, I can't even keep a nav light lamp intact on a pole, so how that lot will survive - I guess probably not!

Bushrider · 13 December 2012, 13:11

I'd go for LED lamps . 5x halogen will suck the power from your battery faster then you'll like it !

Pikey Dave · 13 December 2012, 16:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bushrider

I'd go for LED lamps . 5x halogen will suck the power from your battery faster then you'll like it !

.....and you could have them in different colours.......flashing...........in sequence to the music.....................I'll get me coat