Bluewater LED Install on Boat Trailer (2018 Nitro Z18)

Here's how I installed Bluewater LED strips on the trailer of my 2018 Nitro Z18...they're super convenient to have for anyone who launches/loads in the dark or low light conditions
LED Install Video On Boat- • Bluewater LED Install ...
Bluewater LED Strips- thmarinesupplies.com/collecti...
Push Button Switch- thmarinesupplies.com/collecti...
Wiring- thmarinesupplies.com/collecti...
Grommets- www.amazon.com/Grommet-Select...
Waterproof Butt Connectors- www.amazon.com/Connectors-Cam...
Wire Fish- www.amazon.com/Katzco-Electri...
Channel Partners/Discount Codes
xtrusion-overland.com/ Code- NitroZ18
LASFIT lddy.no/qnhl Code- JUDGE10
ESP Truck Accessories- www.esptruck.com/NITROZ18FISHING
Discount Code- NitroZ18Fishing
carlinkitcarplay.com Code- Z18
carpuride.com/?ref=Z18 Code- Z18
screenprotech.com/NitroZ18Fis... Code- Z18
www.tufskinz.com/ Code- Nitro10
cupgrip.com/?ref=Z18
Ultimate9 Throttle Controller- bit.ly/NZ18-evcX Code- NITROZ18
www.setpowerusa.com/ Code- NitroZ18Fishing
Cobra RAD 700i Radar Detector- shrsl.com/4g29d
blackbeardfire.com/IFISH2248 Code- IFISH2248
www.YOLOtek.com/?rfsn=2358729... Code- NitroZ18
billettiedowns.com/ Code- NitroZ18
www.shinearmor.com/ Code- Judge20
versatrax.com/ Code- NitroZ18Fishing
coverado.com/?ref=JUDGE10 Code- JUDGE10

[@garthnovack]

What a great video! Thanks for putting that together, super helpful.

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Thank you, I appreciate that!!

[@bobbyhogan9207]

Another excellent video brother Patrick!! Thanks again!!

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

No prob!...thanks for watching and for all the support!!

[@TrevorGoochFishing]

Thanks for making this video bud, I'm looking at doing the same thing this winter.

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

No prob!...def worth it, especially if you do any night fishing, it’s a huge help with launching/loading in the dark!

[@timcummings1513]

Great video. I have a 2022 Nitro Z20 and there is a slight variation on wiring. The single splice at front of the boat for the "parking lamp" connection is actually two different wiring pieces now instead of one. I initially tried to use just the brown and white wire splices on the left lamp, but it didn't work. I then spliced into the white wire on the left parking lamp and the brown wire on the right parking lamp connection. Works perfect and lights look great.

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Thanks Tim, I appreciate it!…ok that’s good to know, hopefully that’ll help some people out, thanks for posting the update!

[@jamesvoytko3938]

I used to live in PA and police in PA for 10 years. I left in 2020. I also had lights on my trailer. Had a police officer pull me over for my lights on my trailer. I told him to show me in the INSPECTION CODE where it says I can't have lights on my TRAILER. He quoted what most officers quote, "illegal activities". I told him, you MUST quote a section from the inspection code for the illegal activities code. There is none for trailers, only vehicles. That being said, it's always good to have a switch. Only had one officer try to mess with me. Problem was, I was a much better, smarter, and well-trained officer than he.

[@bobbyhogan9207]

Yeah...thank you Nitrobro!!!

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

No prob buddy!...sorry it took me so long to get this one up and running, I was waiting for a chance to do it while the boat was off the trailer!

[@tonywise622]

Great video, looking forward to installing this same set-up on my Z19. Question - has the zip tie mounting squares stayed on the trailer or did they fall off over time? Don't want to buy 100 of them when I'll only use four or five. Thanks!

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Thanks Tony!…so far so good with the squares, they’re holding up surprisingly well!

[@alechintz]

Why not mount on the cross member running across the trailer?

[@joshandhuntersadventures5046]

Awesome the pictures look like it lights up good if you can make a video of you loading or unloading in low light so we can see how it looks during the low light. Awesome

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Yea I can def do that, thanks for watching and for the feedback!

[@jonathanpassaro228]

Instead of tan I believe it would be brown on most standard trailers. Brown for running lights/tail lights. Great video

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Thanks man, much appreciated!...thanks for the feedback!

[@coldwellpaul]

What kind of tape did you use to stick the leds to the trailer that will survive heat and submersion under water and continue to be durable?

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

They come from TH Marine with it already on the back of the LED strips, they’re the only brand I would trust to stay in place!...this is the 2nd boat I’ve had them on and I’ve never had a single issue with one coming loose!...the cheaper LEDs don’t stick as well, Bluewaters by TH Marine are the way to go!...thanks for watching!

[@raywilliams6098]

great stuff. im sure that was a pain in the bleep to get those wires pulled.

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Thanks Ray!...yes sir, not going to lie, it was a pain to feed those wires through the frame!...just had to be patient and tell myself it’ll be worth it when it’s done to have everything neat and clean looking, and it def was...thanks for watching!

[@hummer4u2nv11]

Overall REALY good video. 👍 Each of the LED pieces only come with a short length of wiring...so I have a question; exactly how did you connect each of the 3 pieces (you kinda explained 3 on each side, but HOW did they connect? and what is the 2 red/black wires inside break-nose frame? Again very good video, I just wonder How to get EACH piece connected?

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

I basically just ran an extension of the positive and negative (same gauge wiring) to make the tails coming off light strips longer…used waterproof butt connectors and heat shrink tubing to make the connections….I get a lot of questions on how to run strips in series like this so I think I’m going to make a video on it and show the exact process I take when doing it…super easy…hope that helps!

[@hummer4u2nv11]

@@NitroZ18Fishing oh ok...so do all 3 strips tie into 'one' looong piece? or do they tie directly to each other along the way to the front/tongue? or is there just enough of a 'jumper' connecting between each of the 3 strips? I'm asking because I am doing one today. Glad I found your video yesterday 😁👍

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

What I did was run one to the next, then use another jumper from the 2nd to 3rd…then tied the last one from each side together and connected them to the trailer…I hope that makes sense, I really have to get that video done!

[@hummer4u2nv11]

@@NitroZ18Fishing ok yes when you say "one to the next"...you are just connecting short jumpers between each LED strip. "Daisy-chain" like an outlet on house wall. Thanks again

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Yea exactly!….that probably would have been an easier way to explain it…lol…let me know if I can help with anything else!

[@Twiztidm1nd]

What are those stick on tabs you can use a zip tie with called? Thanks

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

They’re called cable tie squares, here’s the direct link if it’ll help! amzn.to/3fMWuYe

[@Twiztidm1nd]

@@NitroZ18Fishing awesome thank you bert much

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

No prob, happy to help!

[@nitrojoeZ18]

looks cool have you had any problems with them since you installed them?

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Thanks man!…no issues at all, they still work perfectly!

[@scotwcates]

How long is your boat and how long are each led strip. My boat is 17 feet long thought about going with 2 on each side

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

The boat is 18’9” and the strips are 40” each….hope that helps!

[@bigbassgang8345]

How much wire did you need? How much wire comes connected to each 40” light?

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

I believe the lights come with a 2’ lead, and I buy my wiring in bulk because of all the projects I do…haha…not exactly sure how much I used, but it should be pretty easy to figure out…I would just measure from the rear light up the the front, and multiply that by 2 (for both sides)…that’ll give ya a rough estimate on how much ya need, and I always like to have extra just to make it easier on yourself…hope that helps, thanks for watching!

[@timothymelius9]

Where did you get your LD lights at

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

These are Bluewater LED’s, hands down best on the market especially for trailer applications…this is the 2nd boat I’ve had em on and not once have they come off or went dim…hope that helps!

[@bobbyhogan9207]

Was that Todd H swimming in behind you? 😂😂

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Could have been, I threw him overboard...I was sick of listening to him complain...lol

[@dontblameme6328]

Rocket science for a water sled.

[@RealSnowMan78]

You mentioned butt connectors way too many times. How did you butt all 3 LEDs(red wires) together? Same for the 3 black. That's too many butts lol

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Yea butt....🤣 All joking aside, when I connect multiple wires like that I just twist them together and upsize the connector if needed… Been doing it that way for years and never had an issue!

[@kevinaalberts9251]

if it's illegal to do that, it's also illegal in mich. where I'm from why did you put them on there. to who and why are you putting these on....for your yard, parked?? lotta work when no one will see it right!!??

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Hahaha...no sir, I do a lot of night time fishing for walleye and striper in spring especially...so I’m launching/loading in complete darkness, and they light up my trailer like a runway....so they 100% serve a purpose for me!