Lighting question

[Tunascapes]

Right now I have 12v led spreader lights. Only 2 and not sure on exact lumens but they say comparable to a normal 50w spreader light. I like the lights but I am looking for more and just not sure the direction to go. I have 2 RAB metal halide lights I acquired. The boat is not currently set up for anything more that 12v. What are peoples options about going through adding an inverter and possible a portable Honda generator vs going with say 6 rigid dually d2? It would be much easier to stay 12v and probably cheaper but I question the longevity of my group 31 batteries trying to run 6 lights all night long.

 

[Jay c]

We just put on a pair of rigid m series dually diffused in the cockpit, 2650 lumens a piece. It is pure white daylight in the cockpit now - makes me happy just to turn them on.

Also added the 20 inch spot/flood lightbar on top of the house. I don't turn it on in the harbor, or even in the canal if I'm following anyone - it's "uncomfortably bright" for anyone that gets in its path.

Great products - they're expensive, but if you have to add an inverter or genset, the math starts to make sense.

Tactical wholesaler (found them on google shopping) has them at a decent discount and they shipped right away.

 

[Tunascapes]

We just put on a pair of rigid m series dually diffused in the cockpit, 2650 lumens a piece. It is pure white daylight in the cockpit now - makes me happy just to turn them on.

Also added the 20 inch spot/flood lightbar on top of the house. I don't turn it on in the harbor, or even in the canal if I'm following anyone - it's "uncomfortably bright" for anyone that gets in its path.

Great products - they're expensive, but if you have to add an inverter or genset, the math starts to make sense.

Tactical wholesaler (found them on google shopping) has them at a decent discount and they shipped right away.

Thanks for the input. I certainly agree on the math. I just want to do this right once. Buying LEDs and not being happy wont be the cheapest mistake.

If you are mounting on a hard top and not a tower are the diffused or flood a better choice?

 

[Jay c]

I struggled with that too, but I'm very happy with the diffused and would recommend going that way. They're mounted on top of the house. My dad had a friend make up a pair of mini rocket launchers with a 24" stand welded into each of them to get the lights up a bit.

My buddy also has the d2 diffused (non dually) mounted on the hard top of his center console and they are great there as well. - he did all the research on these things, so I should really be giving him all the credit.

Im not sure how to post the pics from my iPad, but it really worked well.

 

[Tunascapes]

Seems like the diffused gets you a 60 degree cone of light. Thanks again for the input. Diffused seems to be the better choice for a spreader light.

 

[tomy]

Hey tuna! I instlled LED lights amd they are super. bought on e-bay and one set came from that awful country named china. price was right. has worked for 3 yrs now, did not pay the "marine" price