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DIY underwater LED lighting #12807839 06/27/18 07:39 PM
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Buz Offline OP
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First time attempting to build underwater LED lights for night time fishing. Hopefully I can ask this question in this forum, if not I'll gladly move it the another TFF forum. Any recommendations on plans and materials needed to complete this project. Lots of YouTube info available, but was hoping someone on TFF might have some suggestions. I've already purchased the LEDs.

Re: DIY underwater LED lighting [Re: Buz] #12811753 06/30/18 09:18 PM
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elbandito78 Offline
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I watched a few tutorials on YouTube and I finally decided to make my own. The most expensive part was the clear PVC. It's hard to find around the area ( only found one place out by 635 and 35 that carried it). I wound up ordering the PVC on Amazon I believe. Most of the tutorials I saw used clear polycarbonate, but that didn't seem durable enough to me. Also, fittings for it were harder to come by than for PVC. I've used it a few times and even left it in the pool for a few days to leak test it. So far so good. Here are some pics of my set up. Let me know if you have any questions.








Here's a shot in the pool to test.


Here is the light at my slip.

Re: DIY underwater LED lighting [Re: Buz] #12811817 06/30/18 10:31 PM
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banker-always fishing Offline
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Very nice! That should attract plenty of bait fish which will then attract the bigger predator fish. hooked


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Re: DIY underwater LED lighting [Re: Buz] #12812337 07/01/18 02:27 PM
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Buz Offline OP
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elbandito78 thanks for the post, this actually helps. How and where did you add weight to help sink the light? Appear you used a nylon cable enclosure gland ? to seal the power cord to the top of the PVC fitting. Did you remember what size gauge power cable and cable enclosure gland you used?

Again, really appreciate your posting.

Re: DIY underwater LED lighting [Re: elbandito78] #12813494 07/02/18 03:53 PM
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serj5150 Offline
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Originally Posted By: elbandito78
I watched a few tutorials on YouTube and I finally decided to make my own. The most expensive part was the clear PVC. It's hard to find around the area ( only found one place out by 635 and 35 that carried it). I wound up ordering the PVC on Amazon I believe. Most of the tutorials I saw used clear polycarbonate, but that didn't seem durable enough to me. Also, fittings for it were harder to come by than for PVC. I've used it a few times and even left it in the pool for a few days to leak test it. So far so good. Here are some pics of my set up. Let me know if you have any questions.



That looks like a neat project EB!!...I've always wanted to try and make one..Thanks for posting it Sir!!!....Man I wanna jump in that pool right now...LOL!!!! loco_2






Here's a shot in the pool to test.


Here is the light at my slip.




Checkout my Youtube channel for tips and techniques on
crappie and catfish
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsHpQ1vQP7HRC_sw0fXopQ?view_as=subscriber
Re: DIY underwater LED lighting [Re: serj5150] #12813564 07/02/18 04:43 PM
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Boomerbrewer Offline
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I build mine from 3/4 pvc and strips of leds nearly the same way. Instead of clear tubing I put them on the lathe and turn them real slow (30rpm or so) and brush them with clear epoxy. let them stay on the lathe till the epoxy sets up. The slow turning keeps the epoxy from running to one side and dripping off. Works good and is cheap. It will fully encase the leds and be very tough.


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Helix 10, Helix 9 mega SI x2, Garmin 9sv + livescope
Terrova Ipilot Link 36v 105ah Lithium, 12v 160a Lithium Aux
Re: DIY underwater LED lighting [Re: Buz] #12814717 07/03/18 02:47 PM
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Buz Offline OP
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Boomerbrewer, great idea. You really did cut a lot of the cost out of the project using this approach.

Re: DIY underwater LED lighting [Re: Buz] #12814795 07/03/18 03:43 PM
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Boomrbrewer, you are out of the box.great idea.

Re: DIY underwater LED lighting [Re: Buz] #12814924 07/03/18 05:04 PM
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It is pretty cheap, not counting the leds and wire, it probably cost 4 bucks for pvc and epoxy. I have made maybe 8 of them and they all still work fine after a year. I use the bar top type of epoxy and have a gallon of it around for wood working. Takes a bout 2 hrs to set up well. Faster set epoxy in smaller containers would be more expensive. I have found that you want the led strips that have no silicone type waterproofing on them. That stuff will yellow over time and slowly degrades. I post some images later.

Last edited by Boomerbrewer; 07/03/18 10:33 PM.

2013 Glasstream 221 Center Console 150 Merc.
Helix 10, Helix 9 mega SI x2, Garmin 9sv + livescope
Terrova Ipilot Link 36v 105ah Lithium, 12v 160a Lithium Aux
Re: DIY underwater LED lighting [Re: Buz] #12817315 07/05/18 07:22 PM
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elbandito78 Offline
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Originally Posted By: Buz
elbandito78 thanks for the post, this actually helps. How and where did you add weight to help sink the light? Appear you used a nylon cable enclosure gland ? to seal the power cord to the top of the PVC fitting. Did you remember what size gauge power cable and cable enclosure gland you used?

Again, really appreciate your posting.


You're welcome! I tie some large weights to the bottom of the rig. If I was doing it again, I would probably cut up my old castnet (good excuse to buy a new one) and drop the weights into the bottom of the unit and maybe glue something on top of them so they don't rattle around when I'm moving/storing the light. The vinyl tubing I used to house the power cord was 3/4". I don't remember the gauge of cord used but it was thick. Here's a link to the connector I used. I found it at Home Depot, but I don't see it on their website.

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Topaz-P472-3...WhoCwYEQAvD_BwE

Re: DIY underwater LED lighting [Re: Buz] #12817923 07/06/18 09:35 AM
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Zipster Offline
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Made that exact light last year. Works great and is plenty bright. I did develop a leak over time where the power cord goes in, so keep an eye on that connection. Traught line sinkers will work for weights too.

Re: DIY underwater LED lighting [Re: Buz] #12817956 07/06/18 11:31 AM
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Here is a picture of the epoxy based lights.


2013 Glasstream 221 Center Console 150 Merc.
Helix 10, Helix 9 mega SI x2, Garmin 9sv + livescope
Terrova Ipilot Link 36v 105ah Lithium, 12v 160a Lithium Aux
Re: DIY underwater LED lighting [Re: Buz] #12818801 07/06/18 11:33 PM
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serj5150 Offline
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I wonder if my wife modge podge craft stuff would work too?
confused


Checkout my Youtube channel for tips and techniques on
crappie and catfish
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsHpQ1vQP7HRC_sw0fXopQ?view_as=subscriber
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