LEDs lights are the way to go - but seem sooo expensive to buy :cry:
Here's how to make your own and save a bunch:
1. Buy some 5mm flat-top white LED bulbs - you want to get the flat-top if you can, as they have a 90 degree beam versus the 20 degree beam of the round-top ones. You can get them on eBay for a few $$ for 50 or so:
http://stores.ebay.com/Light-of-Victory ... idZ2QQtZkm 
2. Note LEDs are polarized and have a + and - the long lead is + LEDs run on 3-4 volts, so we are going to put 3 in series for a 12 volt connection - this eliminates the need for resisitors, making the job even easier.
3. Let's get to work - solder 3 or 4 LED bulbs + to - You want to keep them close together, and leave the leads intact on both ends. If your electrical system puts out more than 14 volts, use 4, not 3. Here's how they look soldered together:
4. Make 2 sets of 3 or 4 bulbs each, then solder them together - keep polarity right, make sure + is on one end and - is on the other. Also note the polarity for the bulb socket - the wire will be red for + and black for - :
5. Check the height of the leads compared to the original bulb. You wan the LEDs to be the same as the filament in the bulb. Bend the leads down, cut them to the proper height, and solder them to the bulb contacts in the bottom of the bulb holder. You can solder them because LEDs last 20,000 hours -
- you will not be needing to change them out!
6. Make sure the LEDs are evenly spaced about 60 degrees from each other and make a nice, even pattern. Fill the inside of the bulb holder with 5200 or other good caulk to stabilize the leads and hold it all solid.
7. Make sure the LEDs are all even and straight, screw the lens back on, and put power to it! If you did it right, it will look like this:
8. Why go LED? One reason is power consumption. A standard anchor light bulb is 9 watts, or .8 amp. Check out the power consumption on the LEDs - the meter is reading amps - less than 1/10 of that - not even a watt! If you have 3 lights like my 22-2CCP, that means power for the lights goes from 27 watts (about 2.5 amps) down to less than 3 watts (a quarter of an amp) that really makes a difference when you are out fishing at night or running a bunch of electronics on an old motor that only makes about 10 amps charging power.
Good luck!
