How to Set Up a Voltage Regulator for 12V Floundering Lights
Our Mini Swamp Eye Submersible and Swamp Eye Submersible Flounder Gigging Lights have been the number one choice for guides, recreational, and commercial flounder gigging fishermen due to their high brightness and resilience when used in saltwater environment.
Why Use a Voltage Regulator?
As battery options change over the years, the voltages output change with them. Introducing the need for a voltage regulator that takes voltage from a battery that does not output a steady 12-13 volt DC output and allows it to output this voltage.
Commonly used batteries that require voltage regulators:
- Lithium Batteries (12V lithium can spike to 14V DC on a fresh charge, more on this here.)
- Power Tool / Drill Batteries (Typically available in 18V or 20V)
- Non 12V Batteries (Trolling Motor Batteries are often 24V or greater)
Why Haven't We Implemented Voltage Regulation Into Our Existing Products?
Our underwater lights such as the Mini Swamp Eye Submersible and Swamp Eye Submersible are small and compact and utilize a highly efficient, small and compact circuit board that simply does not have room for voltage flexibility without sacrificing performance and physical size and weight. This design allows people to maximize their brightness with such a small flounder gigging light. When using conventional lead acid batteries that output 12-13 volts DC, these lights are the lightest, brightest, and most compact you will ever find.
Our above water lights that are more commonly boat-mounted such as the Swamp Eye Gen 2.X Light Bar, Swamp Eye Silent Series Light, and Swamp Eye HD Lights do not require voltage regulators due to the larger circuit board foot print. We are ultimately able to fit the voltage regulator on the circuit board itself, allowing these lights to accept voltage flexibility in the range of 12V to 24V.
How to Set Up a Voltage Regulator for 12V Floundering Lights
Step 1: Find the Right Voltage Regulator for Your Setup
Determine the total amperage of the light or system of lights you are using. This can be found by dividing the wattage of the light by the voltage. The voltage regulator you select must be sized for the proper amperage.
Power (Watts) / Volts = Amps
Example 1: Wading Light Sticks
1x Swamp Eye Submersible Light on Wading Stick = 128W / 12V = 10 Amps
A voltage regulator that outputs 12V DC and is rated for 10 amps is required for this light.
This voltage regulator will work for this application: 8V-40V to 12V 10 Amp Voltage Regulator
1x Mini Swamp Eye Submersible Light on Wading Stick = 36W / 12V = 3 Amps.
A voltage regulator that outputs 12 V DC and is rated for 3 amps is required for this light.
This voltage regulator will work for this application: 8V-40V to 12V 3 Amp Voltage Regulator
Example 2: Trolling Motor Bracket Kits
5x Swamp Eye Submersible Lights on Trolling Motor Adapter = (128W*5) / 12V = 50 amps
A voltage regulator that outputs 12V DC and is rated for 50 amps is required for this light setup.
This voltage regulator will work for this application: 18V-35V to 12V 60 Amp Voltage Regulator
Note that the voltage range for the input is 18V to 35V DC, this is due to the high amperage of this particular voltage regulator. Thus, we recommend setting your batteries up as 24V DC when using this voltage regulator.
5x Mini Swamp Eye Submersible Lights on Trolling Motor Adapter = (36W*5) / 12V = 15 Amps
A voltage regulator that outputs 12V DC and is rated for 15 amps is required for this light setup.
This voltage regulator will work for this application: 8V-40V to 12V 25 Amp Voltage Regulator
Step 2: Hook Up the Voltage Regulator
The voltage regulator will come with directions to show you how to properly wire it.
Typically, there will be the following:
Input
- Positive Lead (connect positive lead of your power source to this lead)
- Negative Lead (connect negative lead of your power source to this lead)
Output
- Positive Lead (connect positive lead of your light system to this input)
- Negative Lead (connect negative lead of your light system to this input)
We recommend soldering these connections if possible and then sliding adhesive heatshrink over the top of them to waterproof them. If you are not able to do this yourself, these solder seal wire connectors can work well.
It is good practice to test the voltage regulator prior to actually wiring it in to make sure it is outputting a voltage that ranges from 12 volts DC to 13 volts DC and no greater.
Optional Step 3: Adding Power Tool / Drill Battery Receptacle
If you are looking to use a power tool or drill battery to power your flounder gigging lights (commonly done on wading setups) then this step is for you.
Please note: we recommend power tool / drill battery setups for only 1 or 2 flounder lights at a time as they are typically low amp hour capacity so will not last very long for more lights than this.
First, you will need to purchase the receptacle that fits the power tool batteries that you have. Here is a list of the common ones:
- Milwaukee 18V Battery Receptacle
- Dewalt 20V Battery Receptacle
- If neither of these work, please search Amazon for the receptacle that fits your drill batteries.
Second, you will need to install this receptacle and attach it to the "input" side of your voltage regulator (see above). These receptacles typically come with their own crimp connectors. We do not recommend using these unless you put adhesive heatshrink over the top of them to seal them. They will corrode when exposed to saltwater. We recommend solder seal wire connectors for making a good connection.
The photo above is courtesy of Sean Shedlarski, who shared his wading and gigging light setup he made with our Facebook Group Flounder Gigging Nation featuring a Mini Swamp Eye Submersible.