by Bob Hoernemann & John Bruder (from MWCI e-mail listserve)

Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2008
I think for all the new guys, we would like to hear how to do lights. I am interested in running lights for either battling or showing off in the evenings. So what is the best way to have several lights? How do you do that?

Thanks,
Johnny.

I think the way John Bruder did them in his Barham looked the best. He made the SS out of ABS plastic then drilled holes in it for the port holes. He put a lamp inside the SS when it's on it looks like the ships lights are on:

I take tiny flashlite bulbs and solder wires to them, or buy some pre-wired bulbs from a surplus store. Then I wire them all together and solder tiny aligator clips to the end of the final two wires. I then clip them to my pump leads so they go on and off with my pump. Since I only use them once a year at NATs they always work fine for me. (click here for a larger image) If you look at the picture of the Barham you will see all of the port holes cut out in the super structure. I duct tape the lights inside the super structure so the lights shine out of all the port holes. I think it looks okay and if you are not battling it looks a lot like the "Love Boat" on a night cruise. hope this helps, John B

You can also find close to our scale spot lights to wire up:
[inserted iamge here]

Or you can use white LEDs, cut the tips off and paint the rest black, looks like a spot light. I wire the pump to the NC ["Normally Closed"] side of a switch so it runs when the servo is not pushing it. Then the other side can turn the light switch on and off without having to turn off you pump. Some guys connect the lights to the pump so the lights are on when the pump is on, but I prefer having my lights off when the pump is on [to hide while pumping out].

Bob H.