Compartment Lighting

[jhoffman]

So I got a good deal on some red led strips, plan to put them in the hatches and inside the livewell. Im thinking that rather than running them on a switch at the console Ill install magnetic switches like used on windows for security systems. Open the lid, light on, close it, light off. With led life being so high I am not worried about the little bit they will run during the day.

 

Anyone think this is a bad idea? Why?

[Koofy Smacker]

I added Blue water Leds to my boat and ran them to a switch on the console. Absolutely love them.

 

I do think its a bad idea to run them on the magnetic switches. If a switch goes bad and stays on all the time and you dont realize it, it could really screw you.

[jhoffman]

Ok, so how about if I piggy back it off the switch for the lights, then go to the magnetic switch from there, essentially giving me the full on off with the navigation lights but only turning on when opening the hatches.

[Koofy Smacker]

So you mean run everything like you would normally, but put the magnetic switch somewhere along the neg wire leading from each light?

 

Yes, you could do that. But you would have to make sure that they are each run independent. Splice or T-Tap connect into the main wire and then on the loop you added put the magnetic switch. If you dont do this then none of your lights will work unless every compartment is open. Also, this prevents one bad connection from turning off all your lights like a bad bulb in christmas lights

[Traveler2586]

I installed mine on a single switch for all lockers, and a switch for the foot-well.

 

Lesson learned:

1. I forget to turn the switch off.

2. a switch on the console requires too much moving between the console and the lockers.

3. why turn on all lockers when you only need one on.

4. if I rework the system I'll put mag switches on each locker connected to the console switch.

 

Mag switches rarely fail, they're a "reed contact" in a sealed glass tube; just make sure you have a solid mounting for both the mag and the contact, and the two are in proper alignment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jhoffman]

So you mean run everything like you would normally, but put the magnetic switch somewhere along the neg wire leading from each light?

 

Yes, you could do that. But you would have to make sure that they are each run independent. Splice or T-Tap connect into the main wire and then on the loop you added put the magnetic switch. If you dont do this then none of your lights will work unless every compartment is open. Also, this prevents one bad connection from turning off all your lights like a bad bulb in christmas lights

 

I plan to go off a fuze block from any direction whether its the switch or the boats fuze panel.... hot/ground to new fuze block then branch from it.