In addition to the LED strips and battery, you will need the following:
2 strand wire like this:
http://www.amazon.com/20ga-Red-Black-Hookup-Wire/dp/B001JT1CEE/ref=pd_cp_hi_1one or more fuse holders like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Sea-Dog-445199-1-I...1439&sr=1-9 -If you are going to have the fuse holder outside of your battery box, get one with a waterproof cover.
-1 per circuit.
Waterproof Switch(es): Lots of options here, find ones that fit in your boat and look good to you.
Shrink tube to cover the ends of the LED strips
Clear silicone adhesive.
3M adhesion promotor (you can get this at O'Reilly Auto for a couple of bucks per packet) or Acetone.
Zip ties and stick on tabs for wire management (optional but gives a cleaner install).
Got all that?
OK, here we go...
-Cut the LED strips to the length you want. If you look at the strips, there's a mark every 3rd LED that shows where to cut. Longer strips are, obviously, going to throw off more light but also drain your battery faster. My front ones are about 4' long and, honestly, it's overkill but pick what makes you happy.
-Peel back the backing on the strip on one end just a little and you'll see the contact points that you're going to solder your wires to. They will be covered with the adhesive so scrape that clean before soldering.
-Solder in a section of wire to the strips (red to positive, black to negative). Go ahead and use several feet of wire so that it's easier to work with inside the kayak when you hook it all up.
-Test you connections by hooking it up to the battery.
-Repeat for all of your strips.
-Put a dab of silicone over your soldered connections then slide shrink tube on top and shrink it down. This should make your connection fairly waterproof.
-Test them again.
-Position them on your kayak where you want them to go and hold them in place with blue painter's tape. This will show you where the end of the strip is and where you need to drill through to pass the wire. Use the smallest drill bit that will allow the wire through.
-Bring all the wires together and hook them up to the fuse holder(s) for each circuit that you want. I have two, one for outside lights and another for interior lights.
-Hook them up to the battery and test them again.
-For each strip, move it out of the way and clean the hull with acetone. If you bought the adhesion promotor, apply it now. Peel the backing off of the strips and stick them to your kayak. I use dots with a sharpie to mark the position to make alignment easier. Press them on firmly and make sure you don't have any spots sticking up.
-I put a dab of silicone on both ends of the strip to help protect them and a thin bead along the full length of the strips. So far, no trouble with them coming off. Also put a dab of silicone on the holes where the wires go through.
-Mount your switches where you like.
-Make all of your connections permanent. I solder and shrink wrap mine instead of using crimp connectors but that's just me.
-Verify your work by impressing your wife with your mad skillz and handiwork! OK...maybe not your wife but your fishing buddies for sure.
Go fish.
Craig
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