DIY Underwater Lights

[mgstei1]

Please post a "warning, do not touch" on that enclosure with the "just tape" wires.
Especially if its mounted to wood or PVC. Ground and Bond that enclosure also.
Wire Nuts and Grounding and Bonding always makes me feel good!! Around wet environments its most important.

[Ibtsoom]

Please post a "warning, do not touch" on that enclosure with the "just tape" wires.
Especially if its mounted to wood or PVC. Ground and Bond that enclosure also.
Wire Nuts and Grounding and Bonding always makes me feel good!! Around wet environments its most important.

I'm good - if I die you can say I told you so.

[mgstei1]

Electricity around water is serious business. Just want everyone to be extremely careful and when in any doubt, hire an electrician and get an inspection. Hooooeee don't even say that about the dying part. The BanMan is now by friend and bud!!

[Ibtsoom]

Surprisingly, I was a journeyman for quite a few years. And you're right. Electricity is no joke.

[Ibtsoom]

Seriously though I've always just nutted the spare wires and taped em up then pushed em to the back of the plastic enclosure.

Only problems I've had are the photo eyes going out , the occasional burned out bulb and the enclosure getting too hot in the summer. Had to cut a vent in the bottom and screen it over to keep out the bugs.

[Kdub59]

Gents - great stuff here for me. Thanks for all the advice so for. I'm learning a ton. Can a regular extension cord (50-ish footer, orange in color) that has been spliced and heat shrink wrapped to the wiring inside of the PVC and to the ceramic piece that the light bulb screws into, can this extension cord be run underwater. Is it waterproof at this point? Can a standard orange extension cord be run underwater in the right conditions? Warm regards - Kdub59

[Ibtsoom]

Yep - thats what I use. If you're located around the Galveston area you're welcome to come and take a look at mine - shoot me a PM.

[trseato]

Shannon, is there any reason that you selected the Venture ballasts (BV-V90D6112K) over the Precision Lighting ballast (175MA4TK) for $32?
I'm trying to repair an old underwater light that went out. Great post. Thanks!

[Kdub59]

Ibtsoom, PM sent. Thanks.

[Kdub59]

There are the normal bulbs/ballasts and the pulse start units. The pulse start units run cooler in temp with the same color, save energy.
http://www.businesslights.com/pulse-...last-c-62.html

This is an interesting consideration for me. Our lake runs warm in the summer. Water in the high 70 degree mark I'm guessing. From what I've read, we use the water temperature to keep the bulb, ballast, and wiring cooler. That might be a problem for me with the water temps getting so warm in the summer. The pulse start metal halide might be an interesting option. It states that it will save about 50% on the electricity costs, but does it run cooler. By the way, if the light bulb for the MV is 175 watts at Lowes, do I have to have a 175 watt ballast? Can I get a ballast that has a larger wattage to reduce it's workload and lower heat output? Am I off the mark here? Warm regards, Kdub59

[Ibtsoom]

The ballast and bulb wattage need to match. As far as the water temps I wouldn't worry. It gets like soup down here at times and I've had no problems.

I still owe you a parts list.

[Kdub59]

I'm grateful for any info you can give me bro. the parts list would be huge! As for building the light, I get more and more eager every day, but the more research I do...... the better the finished product will be. Thanks again

[Getmyhookwet]

Sorry for late reply but i found my instructions online, the only different thing I did was use clear PVC which is really expensive but I would rather use it than the clear sleeve protector that goes over a florescent bulb. Also use 3M 5200 it's marine grade and this stuff works alot better than silicone. I found that a 50ft cord is not long enough to put some distance between the boat and the light, so I went with a 100ft and it works perfect.

[Kdub59]

Getmyhookwet, So what bulb did you use on the light. Were those LEDs? Talk me through how you made that sucker. It looks fantastic. I wonder how bright it is compared to a MV light bulb at 175 watts. Thanks again for getting back to me. Warm regards, Kdub59

[scb71]

Greetings all.
I could use some kind help if possible. I've had two lights go out on me in recent months. I've got 175w mv ballasts but the underwater lights are only lasting a few weeks before they go out.

If anyone in Galveston or Houston would be so kind as to help me with some replacement bulb/cord sets if greatly appreciate it.

Please let me know how I can reach you. If be happy to pay whatever is fair for your effort. PM me if that's easiest.

Thanks!