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Post by mhorvath1218 on Oct 16, 2020 1:56:39 GMT
Hey All, My wife and I just bought a 2017 795 and we absolutely love it so far. I think I’ve read nearly every page on this forum in anticipation of picking up the boat. You guys have been a great source of information, but haven’t seen all that much on the topic of additional/replacement lighting.
Now that we have the boat and have been on after dark, we realized the lighting is easily one of the worst features of the boat. Those harsh bright led push button lights are pretty awful and I hate that they aren’t switch operated, just feels cheap.
Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has added additional (ideally warmer) lighting. And if so, what did you add? I was thinking of adding small warm white led courtesy lights at the rear swim platforms and in the cockpit, and adding led light strips along the top edges of the windows, within the cabin. My issue is running all the wiring. I was poking around in some of the access hatches and it just seems like access for running wiring can be really difficult in these boats, so any tips would be appreciated.
Also, has anyone swapped the existing factory lights with something a bit nicer?
If you havent see it, check out this video from moose marine, a dealer in Australia. He seriously decked out a 795 with all kinds of custom features. It has really inspired me!
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Post by Capt’n Ron on Oct 16, 2020 21:32:38 GMT
Hi mhorvath1218, congrats on your 795. It’s great you found Moose Marine. I have been following them for a while and they have done some pretty cool stuff and are my envy of what a dealer should be! Good topic on the 795 lighting as you are right, the lighting is pretty bad. My wife and others always have a difficult time turning the lights on or off with that touch button, but I haven’t don’t anything to change them out yet, although it’s on my list. Could be a good winter project. I know a number of owners have added and changed out lighting and added manual switches on their 895’s, so I’d look at what they used. In the mean time we have been using decorative ambient lights on the table and counters along with some battery lanterns. Running wires can be a bit of a challenge, but once you figure out most of your wiring can be run on the starboard side and if you invest in a wire fishing tool it makes it much easier. Also, don’t be hesitant to add an access panel for a must access area. If you haven’t cut a hole in your boat yet the first one is always the most chilling, but there are some good tricks posted on the forum. I look forward to your ideas and what you find, so be sure to post back on the forum. Cheers, Ron
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Post by mhorvath1218 on Oct 17, 2020 12:28:47 GMT
Thanks for the reply Ron, I’m headed up to the boat today and will do a little deeper investigating for wiring routes and perhaps where cutting a bit may help. I’m no stranger to running wires, as I’ve replaced stereo systems in 2 boats, 3 cars and a house, but it is always my least favorite part of the job!
I am curious if you or anyone else has experience running wires through the cabin roof in particular, and what the best way to go about it is. It seems the starboard rear support column may be the way to go, but I didnt see anyway to access inside it. My boat does have a TV and a dc power socket mounted there though, so there has to be a way. I want to add lights, but also a horn up top and ideally 2 more speakers on the outdoor overhang.
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buff
Junior Member
Posts: 24
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Post by buff on Oct 17, 2020 20:30:32 GMT
Hi, I have added LED stripes with a dimmer. There is indirect light below the doors of the sink and along the whole port side under the table. It’s really nice and warm light. Additionally I changed the lights in the ceiling inside the boat. Terrible cold light. I have now spots which are controlled via an app. Dimmable and also different light temperature. The original lighting is a desaster. I really wonder why Jeanneau is not able to take care of these little things. It’s so easy. I can take pictures of you like.
Cheers
Buff
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Post by mhorvath1218 on Oct 17, 2020 21:08:32 GMT
Hey buff, thanks for the feedback! Would you mind sharing the lights you used to replace the existing ones? and yes, pictures would be great. Thanks!
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buff
Junior Member
Posts: 24
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Post by buff on Oct 18, 2020 7:36:38 GMT
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Post by fritz on Oct 19, 2020 16:10:37 GMT
Thanks for the reply Ron, I’m headed up to the boat today and will do a little deeper investigating for wiring routes and perhaps where cutting a bit may help. I’m no stranger to running wires, as I’ve replaced stereo systems in 2 boats, 3 cars and a house, but it is always my least favorite part of the job! I am curious if you or anyone else has experience running wires through the cabin roof in particular, and what the best way to go about it is. It seems the starboard rear support column may be the way to go, but I didnt see anyway to access inside it. My boat does have a TV and a dc power socket mounted there though, so there has to be a way. I want to add lights, but also a horn up top and ideally 2 more speakers on the outdoor overhang. Removing the starboard stereo speaker will give you blind access to the support column. I was able to use a fish tape and then add a pull string. Under the gallery (at least on my 795) there was a circular access hole. Also the column opens in the rear aft compartment. ***Warning the speaker is heavy and will not stay attached to the wires. Keep a hand on it while remove the screws, FYI some of the screws came pre-striped from the factory. ***
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Post by mhorvath1218 on Oct 19, 2020 17:25:57 GMT
Thanks fritz, thats really helpful. On the topic of speakers, has anyone added additional exterior speakers? I’d ideally like to add one on each side of the roof overhang, but it looks like I’ll be limited to a 4” speaker, which is ok. Or maybe there is a better location for them?
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Post by fritz on Oct 19, 2020 20:03:33 GMT
Thanks fritz, thats really helpful. On the topic of speakers, has anyone added additional exterior speakers? I’d ideally like to add one on each side of the roof overhang, but it looks like I’ll be limited to a 4” speaker, which is ok. Or maybe there is a better location for them? I have been thinking about that as well but have had higher priorities. I am currently installing a Vesper Marine XB-8000 AIS, just another boat buck. I stuffed the GPS antenna in the space behind the speaker, no issues. I will post pictures once I get it all mounted.
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buff
Junior Member
Posts: 24
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Post by buff on Oct 21, 2020 20:51:02 GMT
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Post by fritz on Oct 21, 2020 21:24:47 GMT
Thanks Buff for the pictures.
Where did you order the lights from?
Also what's the story on the carpet? It looks really nice.
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buff
Junior Member
Posts: 24
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Post by buff on Oct 24, 2020 12:25:34 GMT
Hi Fritz,
I bought the lights at maritim.no. I guess they are also available somewhere else. The carpet is tailored to the 795. bought it at a dealer in southern Norway. Fits perfectly.
Cheers
Buff
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Post by mhorvath1218 on Nov 1, 2020 23:09:09 GMT
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mf795
Junior Member
Posts: 11
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Post by mf795 on Nov 2, 2020 5:50:59 GMT
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Post by mhorvath1218 on Nov 2, 2020 11:30:03 GMT
Looks really nice! I’m putting in similar courtesy lights next week. Have you had any issues with the led strips peeling off? My front ones dont want to stay on so well on their own. Also, just curious where you placed switches for all your lighting.
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mf795
Junior Member
Posts: 11
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Post by mf795 on Nov 2, 2020 15:34:03 GMT
Looks really nice! I’m putting in similar courtesy lights next week. Have you had any issues with the led strips peeling off? My front ones dont want to stay on so well on their own. Also, just curious where you placed switches for all your lighting. Thanks! It´s really fun with lights I don´t have it for so long but no problems so far. I gonna change the symbols I placed the touchpanel on the stearingplace´s side. Attachment Deleted
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Post by timbray on Nov 9, 2020 19:10:54 GMT
Wow, that's cool. Any notes on wire routing and other electrical setup? Wondering if I could do this myself…
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Post by mhorvath1218 on Nov 9, 2020 23:31:27 GMT
Tim, the wiring is actually very straightforward and access to run wires is so much better and easier than I expected. There really isnt much that you cant access in these boats.
I drilled a very small hole at the upper starboard side corner, where the glass meets the support column, to run the strip’s wire through. Then if you take the speaker out, you have clear access to the void there and can splice in longer wiring and fish it straight down. It pops out on the starboard side of the rear cockpit floor storage area, and then easily passes through a pre-cut hole into the under counter storage area. Your fuse block and wiring are behind an access hatch on the left side of that storage space.
I added a new blue sea systems fuse block under the existing one, as I am planning many more wiring/electrical additions in the future and need more space for them. Plus I hate having to search for a blown in-line fuse.
The fuse block is wired to the back of the battery switches.
Installing the new wall switch panel is the most nerve wracking part. Not difficult by any means, but its a big hole to cut out in my new boat! All went well without a hitch through. I used a dremel with a 561 cutting bit. Worked great but makes a dusty mess.
If you have any questions on the process, I’m happy to share. It was fairly easy and took a couple hours total. If you can use a drill and a wire stripper/crimper, you can do this project. Just dont forget the fuses and you’ll be fine!
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