Scarab 195 HO Impulse: Drain Plug Lights

[Robert Sands]

Hi everyone, I hope you're all doing well.

I have been tossing around the idea of LED lights in the back of the boat and I stumbled across some drain plugs that you feed through the boat and connect to your electrical system. I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on this? I think I might try it, but before I do I was wondering?

1. What's the thread type and size on our drain plugs?

2. The most important question. The plugs I want to use have a diameter of 2.25" and protrude 2.5" from the drain hole. Would this interfer with the boat's propulsion mechanism?

3. Is it possible to feed cables through the drain and back up into the boat where they are accessible? I'd hook them into the existing lighting wiring so they turn on and off at the switch.

Any info would be great. I'd go measure myself but I'm working on site and won't get home for another few week and wanted to order the plugs for when I got home if they would work. Thanks a lot.

Rob

 

[Robert Sands]

Good morning, I thought I'd add some info for those of you who come here in the future with the same questions.

The short answer is that yes, feeding a wire through the drain plug is possible. The problem is that all the LED drain plugs on the net use a Garboard style thread, and are generally 1/2". The Scarab uses an 1" plug of a different thread style, picture attached. As you can see they're much different.

I believe the workaround would be that you'd have to remove the old style drain plug and then install your aftermarket Garboard drain plug. This would require drilling a few more holes, a bunch of sealant and a gasket.

I think for my purposes I'm going to suck it up and install some lights through the transom.

Take care, all.

Rob

 

[Ray Rosas]

 

[Nexus]

I was researching this as well and came across this at BoatPlugLight.com
If you check the video, it appears to be a replacement for the same plug.

 

[Nexus]

They've also got this that will let you adapt their lights to this plug.

 

[Rusty Fishook]

All, that's my 2018 Scarab. Most plugs are standard thread but if your plug came plastic I would recommend upgrading to copper or stainless before using any led plug. Wires do go through the plug drain hole. They have other transoms bars that can be drilled and sealed. Zero performance change as is in front of the propulsion and above the bottom of the hull. Btw I have other boats and I recently bought from that boat plug website claiming to be the brightest and the best.. pure lies and customer service from the owner by email and phone sounded like he hates simple questions. He was a total jerk. Not to mention the standard 4 wire rgb (black red green blue) he uses completely diffrent colors which made install very frustration for using a led controller. The lights were nowhere even as bright as some lesser expensive version (light what is in my scarab video) this expensive one I cant even see in the day AT ALL!.. and last vent his expensive led required a voltage regulator that looks like trash. All other brands have used are simple power source and rgb color match wire. See day day video scarab and other boat.. I m no electrician...its just simple wiring and i do lots of night riding.

See attached pic of installed type used on my scarab..sorry I dont know brand.
New Glastron Gt229

 

[Rusty Fishook]

I wish I had a video of the full speed colorful roost.. lots of complements ( however in Ca also illegal).. last not I have 2 diffrent controllers to my pair of LED so I could use 2 effects separate but in sync you could only image how bright they are.. looks like flame thrower on all red at high speed

 

[Rusty Fishook]

I was able to find a day time video day time with speed,if this link works.. you can see the lights even at full daylight. Crazy bright at night.. hope some of this info helped. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10208959347253980&id=1625172245

 

[Dean P]

They've also got this that will let you adapt their lights to this plug.

Keep in mind, from them, these lights are not meant to be used on plane as they could burnout. Mine did and was replaced. They replaced it with a "better" version and so far no issues (even on plane).

 

[Dean P]

I was able to find a day time video day time with speed,if this link works.. you can see the lights even at full daylight. Crazy bright at night.. hope some of this info helped. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10208959347253980&id=1625172245

That's cool. Which light is that?

 

[Rusty Fishook]

Keep in mind, from them, these lights are not meant to be used on plane as they could burnout. Mine did and was replaced. They replaced it with a "better" version and so far no issues (even on plane).

So not true that they would burn out on plane.. I drive hrs in plane and never had an issue.. they are in the water not to mentioned water at night when the water is colder. Couldnt image that being any issue and have never heard of it happening.

 

[Rusty Fishook]

I zoomed in for you all but sorry dont recall the brand. I did get it from the boat dealer where I bought my boat.

 

[Nexus]

I zoomed in for you all but sorry dont recall the brand. I did get it from the boat dealer where I bought my boat.

So did you replace the drain plug and drain, drilling new holes into the transom? I was hoping to avoid that. At least at first to see if I like the look or not.

 

[Rusty Fishook]

The treads are the same so in theory you could use the factory plug base. I hear ya in the drilling into the outside of the boat... its nerve wracking. On the scarab I did have the dealership do it when I ordered it. I did all the other led work. On my new boat I used the oem base since it was metal with the new led plug. Zero leaks and I leave my boat in the water a few weeks at a time.

 

[Dean P]

So not true that they would burn out on plane..

Are you kidding? Let me introduce myself. I am the first guy you have met that had a light burn out. Not only that, from the manufacturer the stated they DO NOT MAKE A LIGHT THAT IS MEANT TO BE USED ON PLANE. I sent my light back and they replaced it. I have had no issues (with the new one) since and I DO turn them on while on plane. Please, be careful with your words.

 

[Rusty Fishook]

Are you kidding? Let me introduce myself. I am the first guy you have met that had a light burn out. Not only that, from the manufacturer the stated they DO NOT MAKE A LIGHT THAT IS MEANT TO BE USED ON PLANE. I sent my light back and they replaced it. I have had no issues (with the new one) since and I DO turn them on while on plane. Please, be careful with your words.

seriously??? "BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR WORDS"...(Unnecessary but OK, i get it your one of them last word mouthy know it all snowflake guys..)... Guessing you must have bought cheap junk or mounted it ABOVE THE WATER LINE.(Please show your PIC) .
In YOUR own words, YOU say you are the "FIRST" person that this has happened to..well that's sounds accurate.
(I've seen people mount LED bars high scared of flooding their boat and hoping the LED will project more brightness.. Of course if it up high your a moron if your have the LED on OUT of the water....
LEDS DONT/shouldn't GET HOT . ( The exception are those over priced Diablo drain plugs. ( I have one) Per the owner they requires their RGB amplifier (unneeded) and some power transformer/power regulator (that nobody else needs) ...and its NOT the brightest LED as the website and youtubes claim..brighter than CHEAP ones, yes..and I have one so I'm talking for experience of using it.)

Their drain plug is always going to sit in the water especially if you have passengers or ballast bags ).
BTW before YOU get your feelings get hurt, I'm not attacking you, just referring to OTHER people here)
Consider this LOGIC for a second...WHY the hell would you buy a LED light (or why would SOMEONE SELL a light, that can only be used when your docked? Unless its a docking light. It's for USE ON/IN THE WATER unless you bought JUNK. each to their own... I live in a boating community and most drives with them at ALL speeds and NEVER heard of any issues other than its illegal and you can get a ticket
(Last part is for the intelligent people trying to make an intelligent decision for THEIR boat, hence THEIR original questions.)
I'll save you the time on your reply.......you will be ignored and NO RESPONSE needed, how you feel is none of my business..

Happy New Year everyone else..

 

[Dean P]

@Rusty Fishook

Better to be thought as a fool than to open your mouth and prove it.

 

[Rusty Fishook]

And why would you have your mouth OPEN while your on your keyboard? SmH ( I knew you couldnt NOT reply ) it's new years eve-eve and 5 o'clock somewhere .. go do something positive. Like Magic Johnson says.."stay positive"