Lights On The G3

    Since adding the t-top, I needed to relocate the anchor light from the stern to the top of the t-top. The existing light pole was a bit short once the top was added. It was also in the way back there with all of the rod holders. Adding a light to the top also allowed me to remove the holders for the pole lights (anchor and red/green navigation) running along the port side. These holders kept me from using that space for standing or placing rods up out of the way.

You can see how  the light laid before I removed the holders (low left in the picture)...

    I went with an Aqua Signal LED light. I decided on a taller light (19.5") so that I could also add a flag. The top came with three mounting plates so I installed the two small ones front and back for mounting the lights and fold down anchor light pole. I drilled the mounting holes before mounting it to the top. Once I had the plate mounted I used a soldering iron to make corresponding holes in the top fabric. I then put one gorilla sealant to the bottom of the light bracket and installed it on the top.

    From what I have seen in my night test, it looks like a very nice light.

    I did run into a problem with the flag. If I have rods in the holders while under way, the flag risks getting hooked while waving between the rods. I think I will pick up a few lure covers to cure this.

    Speaking of rod holders... I finally got my other two holders for Stryker for a total of 4. They look great. I also changed the angle from 40 to 30 degrees to stand them up just a little straighter.

    Since I had to run wires for the anchor light I went ahead and picked up two small LED lights from Walmart. The ones I sued were labeled as truck accent lights. They are small round lights that stick on. I  think they have 2 LEDs in them and they have a domed lens that makes them somewhat directional. I put one in the front of the top and one at the back. This lights up the entire area under the top very well.

Here is a shot with the flash on. Note how the flash lit up the defective material on the cord I used on the t-top in addition to the original lacing.

    I ran the wires in plastic conduit and secured the conduit with camo Gorilla Tape rather than zip ties so that the top material would not be subjected to fraying form rubbing on the plastic. I did use ties on the uprights leading down to the console.

    At the console I wired in a trailer plug. This allows me to unhook the harness when I take the top of to get into my garage. I have one space left on the plug for another accessories if needed. I wired up the other side of the plug and dropped it down through one of the rod holder holes on the console rather than drilling another hole. Tapping into a ground and power source where easy for the lights. I just had to put a blade on the power wire and tap into the last open switch on my new panel. As for the Anchor light, I tapped into the existing anchor light switch on the panel. This was probably the harder part of the install... finding out which wire was the one for that light. Once found, I tapped into to it and now I can still run the back light if I ever feel the need and I still use the original switch for the new light up top.  Win Win!

     I rarely fish at night but I look forward to trying these lights out. I hope to add flood/spot LEDs on the t-top at some point for lighting up docks etc while night fishing.