[NuffDaddy]

Good bright LEDs are going to be very expensive...but they are a one time deal. They have very little if any internal parts that can go bad. And the diodes themselves will probably outlast you. The downside to this is the batteries. A good LED setup could take up to 4 12v batteries which gets expensive. Another quiet route is a Honda/Yamaha inverter generator and low wattage HID lights. You will get a little more light out of this for about the same cost. But requires a generator witch makes a little noise however the Hondas make no more than a quiet purr. HID lights also have a ballast, igniter, and capacitor that could require replacing over time. The bulbs also will need replacing on occasion which could be expensive depending on the type of light.
It's all just personal preference.

 

[NuffDaddy]

Message sent *******.

 

[NuffDaddy]

I'm not an LED fan either because of their lack of ability to penetrate mucky water. If water was clear where I shoot I would run LEDs. If you set them up with the proper number of batteries you can run all night. But I don't mind the sound if a decent low db generator and I like the extra light you get from the halogens or HID lights. The airboat application seems like a good idea as well seems how your using an already present power source. Like I've said in earlier posts it all just personal preference.

 

[NuffDaddy]

The waters I'm in generally have 6"-2' of visibility and I classify that as pretty mucky. I can see how a warner LED could really help. Might change my mind on them if I can see them in action.

 

[NuffDaddy]

If your looking at plug n play. Econolight is good.
I have 2 400w hps, i will get some more here soon but i love them. I dont hardly look in my halos anymore. I can see fish way further than what i can shoot with these lights.
Just the 2 hps on
^this. Econolight 150s will be more than you ever need. Shot on 400 boat and wasn't impresses

What didn't you like about the 400s. I think they put off way too much glare and felt they were blinding me looking into the water. Needed sunglasses haha.

 

[NuffDaddy]

8 with caps.
They draw half the amps then the ones without!

^this. They are the $60 ones. Save a lot of money on the generator. What size was your boat again *******??

 

[NuffDaddy]

That would be more than enough. But remember you get what you pay for. Not saying that's a bad generator at all. But it won't even compare to a Honda or a yamaha. I couldn't afford to spend $1000 on a generator but I wanted something that would last. I bought a slightly used (less than 20 hours) northstar 2700 watt from my uncle. Its a Honda engine but not the generator itself. I think it's close to $500 new.

 

[NuffDaddy]

My uncle replaced the one I bought with the Honda 2000i for his camper. That this is whisper quiet. The Northstar is quieter than most but not as quiet as I was hoping.

 

[NuffDaddy]

^this. They are the $60 ones. Save a lot of money on the generator. What size was your boat again *******?? mine was a 14' Jon boat with a 4500 gen. On it

I feel like 8 lights would be a little overkill on a 14 footer. Maybe not.

 

[NuffDaddy]

Remember that HPS use more power that what the bulb does. After warming up the 150s use close to 200watts I believe and warm up is a little over 250watts. Still plenty of power in the champion to run 10-12 of them though.

 

[NuffDaddy]

The bulb life on HPS lights is 20,000+ hours. Halogens have a 5,000 hour bulb life. Yes the orange color of HPS might give you a headache. That's why before you get them for your boat you should find someone with them and shoot for a night. But the orange light makes carp almost glow under water. I can see fish about 1/3 deeper than I could with my halos. I've never shot over LEDs and I won't nock them, I think they have their place. If the water is clear go for it, but I've heard and seen in videos that LEDs are subpar when it comes to muddy water. HPS will probably be cheaper in the long run too, unless you get fancy with them.