www.iFourWinns.com

I'm about to order LEDs for my gauges, and would like to replace the cockpit lights and navigation lights with LEDs also. Does anyone know what # bulbs those are?

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

You really need to take one of the bulbs out and see exactly what they are using. Then consult Mike's post about the ones to buy. Rave Reviews.

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2008 Four Winns 224 Funship 5.0 GXI/DP Black w/ Tower
2007 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed / Bose Ed.
2007 Fourwinns H180 (SOLD)

"There are no stupid questions, only stupid people"

Linky?

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

I'll save you the mind numbing details. Once you know what type of bulb you're trying to replace, go to http://www.superbrightleds.com to see if they have a direct replacement. They probably do.

The link Marc was referring to had to do specifically with helm replacement bulbs. If you're having trouble sleeping and would like to read the whole thing, it's here: http://www.boatingabc.com/forums/ubbthr ... 003/1.html.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Mike and I have discussed the cockpit lights at great lengths yesterday. I don't know which forum you are more Mike, but I hit this and BABC at the same time. I just stopped by my boat, and the cockpit lights look like they are 194's. The navigation light I didn't get apart, but it is just screwed onto my boat, and there was some water pooling beneath it. Doesn't really look like the hole through the boat for the wiring is sealed up, should I seal it up?

I'll be ordering the 5 light LEDs for the cockpit lights, and the 1 light 90 degree LEDs for the dash.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

If you have water pooling around your nav light, you might want to put some silicone in the screw holes. I would not 4200 them because it's a bit overkill IMO for something that you may need to be able to remove for maintenance.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Mike, you don't happen to remember where you saw the bulb covers as accessories, do you? I looked and searched all over the Faria website to no avail. I did pick up a rheostat from Radio Shack. I might try that first, as the issue I'm having is that the gauges are too bright rather than too dim.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

I think Faria had the covers. IIRC their web site is nearly worthless, I'd call them and ask. Be aware, I think the covers block a LOT of the light. Maybe more than you want. I think a dimmer is a great idea, and then maybe go with the LED's just to make everything match and eliminate the concern of burned out bulbs (not that that happens much).

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I pulled some of the bulbs from my instruments and found they are all clear 194 bulbs, which probably accounts for them being too bright. I went to Radio Shack and bought a 5W Rheostat. Found an old (168?) bulb laying about, so rigged up a test circuit - the rheostat worked well. It didn't dim all the way to 'off' but took the single bulb from bright to a nice dim. I initially tested the rheostat on the negative side after the bulb, and then just for the heck of it, tried it on the hot side before the bulb. Both methods had the same effect. As a result, unless some electrical genius out there can explain why I shouldn't, I'm going to pull the instrument lights lead from the fuse panel and reinstall with the rheostat between them and give it a try. Don't know why FW doesn't include this $3 part as stock, or at least as an option.

I expect I'll find the time to try this Saturday night. I will of course post results.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

I need to update this with pics. The LEDs in the cockpit lights are actually the 4 LED version, and they are as bright, if not brighter than the stock 194s are. I haven't been on the water at night yet to see how the gauges are with the LEDs.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

Pics of instrument lights are very hard to take - good luck!

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

For those interested, the Radio Shack 5W Rheostat did the job for the instrument cluster. Just what my '07 200H needed for night time cruises. Couple things though, I was not able to tap in at the fuse panel as that circuit is also for the navigation lights. In fact, with the exception of the depth gauge, all of the instrument lights are toggled on/off by the nav light switch. I decided not to dim the nav lights. Instead, I tied the rheostat into the circuit where it feeds into the tachometer. Another issue (for me) is FW put some form (LED?) of recessed light bar below the gauges to illuminate the push switches. I tried the rheostat on them with no luck, possibly they are the non dimming variety of LEDs. I'm waiting for another night cruise to determine if I need to wire the light bars to the extra on/off switch FW thoughtfully provided. Or maybe I'll try some of that red adhesive tail light repair tape on the clear plastic 'light bars'.

Can you tell I like to protect my night vision?

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

Wierd my 06 200 has blue backlight gauges, and they are not too bright.

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04s had different color gauges than the 05-06's.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

The '07s must be different too. I have white face gauges with clear bulbs.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP