One of the few accessories that are vital and needed on a boat dock is lights. Lights illuminate the dock and the surroundings at nighttime or during foggy weather. They are installed for the sole purpose of avoiding any passing boats accidentally pummeling to a dock or crashing your Quintrex Frontier boat into a dock when you moor it. Dock lights can be either solar-powered or electrical-powered. Either way, the process of installing them to your dock is easy and doesn’t require a lot of complicated processes and procedures.  

Here is a simple and direct guide on how to do it: 

Get Power to Provide Light to Your Dock 

If your dock does not already have a power supply running to it, you will need to provide it. This should be on a dedicated breaker in your panel. Connect a wire to an unused breaker and run it to the dock. Dig a trench in the ground with a shovel and bury the conduit (a tube that protects electrical wiring) at least 8 inches in the ground. Run the wire through until you get to the dock.

Connect To a Junction Box

Before setting the junction box up you will need to secure it to a post near the dock. Using a shovel, dig a 12- to 16-inch-deep hole and set it in a 4x4 post. Pour in some quick-set concrete and keep post-level. Once the concrete has set and dried up, you can attach a small junction box to it. Run wires from the house into the box on one end and wires from the box to the lighting areas on the dock on the other.

Locate Dock Lights

Depending on how long your deck is will determine how many lights you should have. The general rule of thumb is to place a light post every six feet on both sides of the dock. These can be lights that are attached to a post or the deck itself. Run your wire along the side of your dock until you reach the last light position.

Install Mounting Hardware

Place the hardware where you want it to go. Set the mounting bracket on the dock and mark the placement for the screws. Drill pilot holes into the wood for easier attachment. Place the bracket back onto the wood and drive in the screws.

Connect Light and Secure

Make the connections between the light fixture and the wire from the junction box. Secure the light fixture onto the mounting bracket and screw to it. Repeat this process until all lights are installed.

Place Waterproof Conduit Over Wires

Protecting your wiring with a waterproof conduit is a must. Place it over the wiring and secure it with screws.

Make Electrical Connections

At the junction box, connect the coloured wires to their corresponding wires. Add a light switch if you want to be able to turn the lights on from the dock. Connect the wires with wire nuts and push them into the junction box. Place a weatherproof cover over it to prevent it from getting damaged by rain or strong winds. You can find waterproof covers in marine boat shops. The covers they sell are not only waterproof but are also made with materials to prevent them from getting damaged by the sun and saltwater elements.