Bluewater LED Install On 2018 Nitro Z18

Step by step instructions on how I installed my Bluewater LEDs on front/rear decks (with Dimmer Control) of my 2018 Nitro Z18...finished install shown at the 32 minute and 20 second mark...video is a little long, but I wanted to try to make it simple enough so anyone of any experience level could watch it, and feel comfortable doing the install themselves...Bluewater also sends wiring diagram showing how to connect to switch/dimmer...sorry about the slight shakiness in the video at times, it was hard to hold camera and do install by myself...feel free to message me with any questions/concerns/comments...I will be doing my trailer and my compartments next...thanks for watching!!!
Trailer LED Install- • Bluewater LED Install ...
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[@kenbrown5449]

Excellent Video! I watched 4 or 5 vids before yours and I don't have to watch any more. Content like yours is what makes KZbin so great. Thanks!

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

thanks Ken!!...glad it's helping out!!

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

thanks Ken!!...greatly appreciated, glad my videos are helping people!!

[@strikevyyper]

Thanks for taking the time to show your work. I was wondering how to hide the wires when you drill the holes for a professional clean install look. Helped me out a bunch. I was really glad you showed the wiring explanation at the end. Wish you would have shown how you hooked up the dimmer switch. Excellent explanations. Thanks again.

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

I may make another video showing the wiring from the switch to the battery...Bluewater sends you a diagram showing it but I should have shown it in the video, I'm sorry!...glad it helped otherwise though, thanks for the feedback!

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

thanks so much!...and i definitely wish i showed the rest of the dimmer switch wiring, very simple, but i have had a few questions on that...should have included it, I'm sorry!...thanks again for the support!

[@georgewashington8657]

Just bought a bass boat and was wondering how this was done. This is the best the internet has to offer. Pretty much done said, Period!

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Thanks man, I appreciate it!

[@matthewcalkins2652]

Excellent video! Thanks for taking the time to explain your step by step process.

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

thanks Matt!!...happy to help, and glad to see it's helping!!

[@ronalddonahue2086]

Looks Great. You have set me up to get my lights in properly. All of your comments and tips were great. Just 2 items 1 setting down against the trim might give you some trouble if you have the boat long enough to change the carpet. 2. When connecting wires, I have had some issues with moisture when I use tape over the butt joint caused by the condensation between the tape and the joint. I have changed and now I either use shrink wrap or silicon. You did a great job, and I will be happy to do it the very same way. Thanks so much

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Thanks Ron, I appreciate that!…I’ve actually changed to using shrink wrap over my connections as well since making this video…I never had any issues but it’s just an extra peace of mind thing, thanks for watching!!

[@williej.allenjr.510]

Great detailed video. Great aesthetic tip on the wiring, hole and the end of the lights!

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

thank you!...I appreciate the feedback, and glad it helped!

[@MrEyethautunew]

Just as I was going to hire someone to install mine, you give the best free information on youtube. Cheers..

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

happy to help!!!...it's waaaay too expensive to have them installed due to time involved, well worth it to do it yourself...if you have any questions feel free to shoot them over!

[@MrEyethautunew]

@@NitroZ18Fishing Thanks for your response. I am just waiting for my lighting to come, then ill start the install. If I do have questions, ill be sure to ask but you make it seem super easy. Thanks..

[@MrEyethautunew]

@@NitroZ18Fishing Had to come back and thank you. I finished both of my boats using this method. Thanks a bunch. Wish I could post pics of my boat.

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

thats awesome!...thanks for the feedback, love that my videos are helping!...I'd love to see the results, good luck on the water and stay safe!

[@UnLikeU]

Sir this is one of the best installation videos I've seen on KZbin. Great job you deserve more views.

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Thank you, I appreciate that!!

[@knoxvol4104]

Thanks for the tip on notching the back so the wires don't show. Just bought a set for my boat and will definitely be notching them!

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

no prob!...something so small makes a huge difference in appearance of the install...tight lines!

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

no prob Chris!...glad it helped, and thanks for the support!!

[@williamwelle]

This was a fantastic video! thank you. Got my 2018 z19 and want to do this exact thing!

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

thank you!!...good luck with the new toy, I'm loving my Nitro!!

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

thanks man!!!...glad it helped, and hope you're enjoying the Z19!!

[@Tom13GN]

Well done with the installation, the boat looks GREAT!!!! I did the same thing to my old Z6. Be aware, I used that same dimmer switch, and it will corrode over a fairly short time. That is assuming you didn't buy a waterproof switch. I ended up buying the expensive switch from BlueWater. Great job on the video as well!!!

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

thanks Tom!!!...and yea I'm using Bluewater's Dimmer switch so all is good...I used it on my last boat for 5 seasons and worked like a charm...thanks for the feedback!

[@ryandrury6102]

Very well Explained. Thankyou for being so informative. I am going to put these Lights on my Pontoon boat.

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

thanks buddy, I appreciate it!...good luck on the install, hopefully this video helped!

[@jagiii4482]

RyanDean Drury I’m getting ready to put some leds on my pontoon boat too. I’m still looking for some good bright leds for inside and and under my decking. I was wondering if you had installed yours? If you did was it easy? What kind of leds did you use and what do you recommend? Oh how did they come out? Thank you for your time.

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

thanks Ryan!!!...glad it helped!!!...and @J A G III, i have these bluewaters in all my compartments, even livewells and cooler, they are awesome!!!...install is done the same way, just a matter of mounting the strips where you want them, running the wiring and hooking up to switch/battery!

[@thomaslester8702]

I have 2016 z18 and was fixing to do the lighting system on it. I know how to wire but thanks for the tips on the end of the lights and for a nice clean and easy to understand video. Only one tip I may suggest is to put a piece of tape on where you intend to drill and use a small tip nail punch just to push against to make indent in coat to start your drill bit as not to crack gel coat or have drill walk. Other than that good video and you have a very nice boat. Thanks again.

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Thanks Tom, I appreciate that!...and thanks for the tip!

[@bobbyhogan9207]

Thanks for the video. I am an electical idiot. I could have used the part where the fuse and battery were installed, but hey the video really helped me to see how to run the wires in my Z18. Love the shallow anchors you have too. Would love to see those brackets up close too.

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

hey Bobby, are you on facebook, on the Nitro page?...if you are, contact me on there and I will do a short video for ya on the wiring from switch to battery...I'm sorry, I should have included that as well

[@Second_Gutter_Crew]

Great video brother 🤙🏻

[@nickc8629]

Great video finally got to watch it all! I even got a good idea where to put my golden rule too! #Z18.

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

thank you!...glad it helped!

[@fishingismydrug1]

Nice clean install ! Thank you very much.

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

thank you, I appreciate that!!!

[@drmroneal]

Nice vid Can I ask why you ran back directly to the battery and not into the power block in the diver consul? I am going to be doing this and I also have a z18.

[@dr.smallieslayer4711]

Amazing video brother

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

thanks man, much appreciated!!

[@user-vc8gi7dd4b]

Where did you mount the in line fuse and what size did you go with?

[@BASSANGLER7MH]

Great video bud I’m looking to do the same thing on my ranger boat with the rgbw strips. Similar to the new nitro LEDs.

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Thanks man, I appreciate it!…that should look awesome!

[@kevindavis1219]

Nice work!

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

thank you Kevin!!

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

thanks Kevin!

[@djrockv1]

looks awesome

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

thank you!!

[@jagiii4482]

Great video I’m looking into buying some LEDS for my 24’ pontoon, my question is do I need to get another boat battery just for my lights or the main battery is enough? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

thank you!...and yea that's a common question, these Bluewaters have an extremely low draw so the cranking battery is more than enough to run them off...I've never had any issues with battery drain from them at all, hope this helps!

[@jagiii4482]

Yes that helps thanks for your advice

[@ODLid1]

Why did you choose to use 3 short light strips instead of 1 longer strip?

[@citsalp]

Great video.... Thank you

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it!!!

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

thanks Roger!!

[@les121476]

Well done!

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

thank you!!!

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

thank you!

[@Furwink]

I dont know if I missed it, did you have to add an inline fuse and how big? Do you need to add up all the drain of the strips together when picking the fuse size?

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Hey Mike!...I run a 7.5 amp fuse for this entire setup, these Bluewaters have a very low draw!...in most cases a 5 amp is sufficient but because I have so many strips I went up to the 7.5...hope that helps!

[@katiedolfman6496]

Very nice, so clean. Thinking of installing the same blue lights on my tracker. Have you used the dimmer switch often?

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Thank you, I appreciate it!…absolutely, the dimmer is almost a must have in my opinion…would highly recommend it!

[@michaelbradley8331]

Where did you get your measuring board with holder. Great video! Very informative!

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Thanks man, I appreciate that!…the board came from Bass Pro and holder from Tackle Warehouse, but not sure if they sell em anymore…hope that helps!

[@TopwaterTony]

Nice br0 ... great video! I will be posting a video on my LED install on my Nitro bass boat here in a couple weeks but I don't think mine is this thorough as yours :-)

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

thanks Tony, much appreciated!...good luck with the install, let me know if ya need anything!

[@TopwaterTony]

@@NitroZ18Fishing all finished kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHbCmKeBediWnac

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

just checked it out, looks great man!

[@TopwaterTony]

@@NitroZ18Fishing thank you!

[@Buldgr]

Great video, super clean install, looks fantastic. How do you like the lights? Would you have done anything differently?

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

thanks a lot!...and I absolutely love the lights all around...on the decks/in the compartments, cooler, and livewells/on the trailer/etc...honestly would not have done anything differently, I planned out the project exactly how I wanted it before even starting, so it came out just the way I wanted it...lights work perfectly...tight lines!

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

thank you!!!...love them, and honestly wouldn't change a thing!

[@marktalbot7313]

Your video will help me out so much. I am installing a bunch of blue water light this weekend. One thing I was wondering is how you hooked up the dimmer switch.

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Thanks for checking it out Mark!...yea I should have included the dimmer switch in the video, but it’s very easy to hook up!...maybe I’ll make a short video showing it for anyone who wants to see it!

[@marktalbot7313]

@@NitroZ18Fishing that would be great to see how you did it before I start my wiring this weekend if it’s not to much trouble. Watching your video gave me the confidence to do my own boat over bringing it in somewhere to get it done

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

No trouble at all!...I’ll try to get it posted asap, but probably won’t get it done before the weekend unfortunately...crazy schedules with the kids and sports, I’m sorry!

[@acmillward]

Great video, thanks. We’re the lights part of a kit or did you order lights individually? Have the same boat, 2020 and looking to do exact same thing.

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Thank you!!...I actually purchased a couple kits and then some individual lights...I sat down and drew out my plan on paper with what size lights I wanted where and then looked at their site to see what the cheapest way to go about it was...definitely helped going into it with it all drawn on paper, I literally have lights everywhere...have em in all compartments, livewells, cooler, trailer, etc...look at their kits first and see which ones would get you the most bang for your buck, then add individual lights to finish up your plan...hope that helps!

[@acmillward]

NitroZ18 Fishing appreciate it. Your trailer is sick also.

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

no prob, happy to help!...and thank you!!

[@brasspipe69]

all the info possible for the dimmer switch.........ty in advance

[@richs1364]

This was awesome! Thx. ONE QUESTION, WHERE AND WHY DOES THERE HAVE TO BE A FUSE? ASSUMING IT REDUCES THE VOLTAGE TO THE LIGHTS BUT WANT TO MAKE SURE. I ALSO HAVE A "MAIN" POWER SWITCH ON MY Z7. I'M THINKING I CAN RUN TO THAT AND THEN THE DIMMER, SO LONG AS THE DIMMER ALLOWS YOU TO TURN OFF THE LIGHTS. Thanks again. best video on how to wire!

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

thanks so much for the feedback!...the fuse is to help protect the lights from overload/damage, I like to have my fuse as close to the positive terminal on battery as possible...as far as wiring to the main power switch, I'm not sure about that, wish I could give you a better answer, but I'm always a fan of running direct to cranking battery so I'm not sure if that would work or not, but don't see why it wouldn't...hope that helps, and thanks again!!!

[@richs1364]

@@NitroZ18Fishing Thanks again!

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

no prob, happy to help!

[@nitrojoeZ18]

wow really nice. love ur boat, im about to buy the 2021 Z18, probably have some question for you if you dont mind. where did you get those lights and also the storage drawer in frt of the passenger seat. great for glove box storage. where did you get that? im from toronto canada and would appreciate any info. love ur color but improbably getting the red black n white...Thanks joe

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Thanks Joe, I appreciate it!...the lights are Bluewater LEDs, you can get them from thmarine.com...and that “glove box” spot in front of passenger seat actually came as an option when I built the boat...I had them add it when I customized the build, they should be able to add it for ya as well!...hope that helps, and thanks for watching!

[@nitrojoeZ18]

@@NitroZ18Fishing i ordered my X18 yesterday and added the storage drawer after the oder was in. Hopefully got it on time cause the boat dosen't have a glove box unless you get the second concel. Thanks again for your tips and very nice set up..🐟🎣🚤👍

[@nitrojoeZ18]

Sorry Z18

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

thanks Joe!!...and anytime, always happy to help!

[@zacharybrown624]

Were the compartment lights already there? or did you install those too? And where did you end up mounting the on off switch?

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

hey Zach!...I installed all the LEDs myself, I have them in every compartment including livewells and even the cooler...I also have several switches mounted in different locations...the compartment lights are on a switch I mounted on console, the deck lights are on the dimmer switch I mounted on console, the livewell switch is under the lid, cooler switch is inside cooler at a convenient location (all wiring hidden, because I'm a freak about hiding the wires)

[@charlesjones257]

looks awesome! maybe you could an update. still working? any adhesive issues?

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Thanks Charles!…yes sir, still works perfectly and no problems sticking at all…that’s why I always recommend Bluewaters!…thanks for watching!

[@Countryboywatches]

On the first light...is there wires coming out of both sides? You mentioned at the end the one side going to the next light and 3rd light. What about the wires one the other side of that first one?

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

They only have wires coming out of one side, so those are the ones that you would run to the next light, then use a “jumper” wire to go to the following...hope that makes sense!

[@Countryboywatches]

Ok thank you!

[@bigcountry1695]

I have 4 blue LED strips for the outside of the rubrail. After connecting all red and black wires together do you install them straight to my switch and then straight to the battery from the switch? Do I need not to worry about wiring it to the fuse panel at all? So I believe from what I understand light to switch, switch to battery. Right? The switch has 3 little ears on the back. Middle one for 12v power, copper is for the negative. Is the 3rd one even needed for anything? Please help!

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Good evening!...no prob, let me see if I can help ya!...when using a 3 prong switch, in most cases you would run the positive prong to the positive of battery, the negative (ground) prong to the negative of the battery, and then the 3rd prong is usually the one you would run to the positive of the LEDs...so once you connect all reds from LEDs, take that circuit and run it to that 3rd prong...then take the blacks from the LEDs and run them to ground...you can either connect the LED ground to the ground from the switch, or wire them separately to a different grounding spot...hope this makes sense...I don’t use a 3 prong switch in this video so it’s kind of hard to explain in txt without seeing it...if it’s confusing, try googling “how to wire a 3 prong switch”...that should help a lot as well!...let me know if I can do anything else to help!

[@bigcountry1695]

@@NitroZ18Fishing Sounds like that should work. I give it a shot this evening and see how it goes. Thanks for your help.

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

no prob!...let me know how ya make out!

[@bigcountry1695]

@@NitroZ18Fishing thanks for your help I will let you know as soon as I get a chance to work on it.

[@bigcountry1695]

Hey brother. Thanks for the help. It turned out perfect.

[@josegranado6305]

Hi ..Why the need to wire from the 1st strip to the 2nd and 3rd with a separate wire and not just go from 1 led to the next and so on. I’m a bit confused on that part.

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Hey Jose!...you technically could connect all the lights directly together (all red to red and black to black)...but if you connect 1 and 2 together you would have no wire to go to 3...that’s where the “jumper wire” comes in...in order to avoid the jumper wire you would need to directly connect all reds together and all blacks together, which wouldn’t work because of distance between lights in my case...hope that makes sense!

[@josegranado6305]

NitroZ18 Fishing Ok yes makes sense now. I knew I was probably missing something. Thanks for the response back.

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

no prob!!

[@e954rr2]

Great video but how May times did he say blue water led

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Thank you, I appreciate it!

[@BD1JR]

Nice

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Thank you!

[@tylerweis2803]

Great video but good lord how many times did you say “Um” 😂😂😂

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Umm, a lot 🤣…thanks man, I appreciate it!

[@marktalbot7313]

Did you use any relays?

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

No sir, no relays in my setup, hope that helps!

[@lorenkoska8934]

Are the lights still sticking ?

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Yepper!....no problems at all, that’s why I will only use Bluewaters!

[@1g4u]

What’s the name of the kit or model #? Thanks

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

hello sir!...I actually mixed and matched to get the exact look I wanted...I sat down and drew my boat on paper and what size strips I wanted where and then purchased the items needed to make it happen...it was a combo of multiple kits, and single strips...hope that helps!

[@arnoldromppai5395]

interesting, I did one like that but with more led strip for a local pimp

[@williamreed1493]

Kiss ass job! Love the boat, I've got the smaller version Z6 in same colors. That said I have a few questions on some items installed on you boat that I'm trying to figure out. How can I DM you?

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

thanks buddy, much appreciated!!!...look me up on facebook and message me, Patrick Judge, my profile pic is a pic of my front deck lit up with the LED's...I've also added carpet decals, the decal in the middle of the pic says "Judge", cant miss it...haha...if you don't have facebook let me know, I'll see if there's a way to message on here...thanks again!

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

thanks buddy, much appreciated!!...not sure how i missed your comment, i apologize, but if you want you can look me up on facebook and message me!

[@cristianmccullough4374]

why the cranking battery and not the trolling ?

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

You honestly could use any one of the batteries but it’s usually best to run accessories off cranking so you don’t drain trolling motor set up with all the extras...the cranking battery will charge while running with big motor and will usually support the accessories with much better success from my experience...also, if you have any transducer on your trolling motor, it’s best to isolate that battery setup to minimize the chances of interference on your graphs....may or may not happen due to LEDs but I wouldn’t want to chance it...hope that helps!

[@cristianmccullough4374]

@@NitroZ18Fishing very informative. thank you!. my lights are hooked up and looking great !!

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

no prob, happy to help!!...glad you got the lights hooked up!!

[@Brakemann1]

Can we get some more, “umhs”.

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Umm, sure! 🤣

[@LarsonFishing]

This is only like $600-700 in led strips alone lol

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

You’re correct!...it was right around $700ish, I’m picky and had to get exactly what I wanted...lol

[@LarsonFishing]

@@NitroZ18Fishing in a more, “affordable fashion” do you think the LED lights that come on a roll would be nice still? Granted these lights you have achieve an outstanding array of light. Bravo 👏 I’m kinda jelly I can’t spend this much 😆

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Yea absolutely, I’ve actually used other brands in the past...the brightness is still good, the only thing I would recommend is swapping out the double backing tape on them...it doesn’t hold anywhere near as well (depending on brand of course)...other than that they’re great too!

[@Joshua-dv2ny]

Bug magnet?

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Nowhere near as much as ya would think!…that’s why I like havin em on a dimmer, if ya keep em low when not needed bugs aren’t bad at all

[@Joshua-dv2ny]

@@NitroZ18Fishing will you put me in your will for that boat 😆 🤣 😂

[@NitroZ18Fishing]

Hahaha!…I’ll check with my kids and see if they have any objections! 🤣🤣