Underwater lighting control options explained in 3 minutes

When it comes to controlling your underwater lights, there are four main options, ranging from simple manual switches to advanced digital interfaces. Each method of control has its ideal use case, which usually depends on how much functionality and control you want from your lighting system. It also depends on your lights and if they are full colour RGBW or just a single colour. 

1) Toggle Switch Control

A basic on/off toggle switch lets you cycle through colours or modes by turning the power to the lights off and on in specific patterns. This is the simplest way to interact with your lights and is usually installed at the helm, but can be installed anywhere to suit your needs.  

Best for:

• Single colour lights 

• Smaller boats

• Situations where simple control is fine

• Users who don’t need advanced modes or colour scenes

Pros:

• Very simple and inexpensive

• No specialist junction boxes needed

• Works with most lights in basic mode

Cons:

• Limited control (must cycle power to change modes)

• No dedicated colour or brightness control

• No customisable lighting effects

2) MFD Control Interface (e.g. OceanBridge)

MFD control interfaces are a central controller that integrates with your vessel’s Multi-Functional Display (MFD) and other devices. They generally allow you to control zones, colours, brightness, effects, and save scenes directly from the MFD screen or smartphone. Some, like the OceanBridge even have built-in Wi-Fi, NMEA2000 integration, Ethernet input and DMX compatibility. 

Best for:

• Any boat with full colour lights

• Larger sport fishing boats or yachts with larger lighting setups

• Users who want customization ability 

Pros:

• Full control of colours, zones, brightness and effects

• Integrate with most MFD brands

• Can be controlled via MFD, Wi-Fi device or external switches

Cons:

• More expensive than basic controls

• Requires setup and integration (MFD & network)

• Overkill for simple lighting needs

3) Control Panel (e.g. OceanDMX WTP Plus)

A dedicated touch-panel control gives you a tactile interface for your underwater lights. It offers a graphical display to select colours, adjust brightness, and may be able to trigger pre-programmed scenes. 

Best for:

• Boats where a dedicated control panel is preferred

• Users who like touch screens with visual feedback

Pros:

• Only requires a small surface area

• Easy access on the helm

• Doesn’t require an MFD to operate

  Cons:

• Requires dedicated space on your helm/dashboard

• Less flexibility than an MFD system integration

• Additional cost compared to simple switches when used with single colour lights

4) Remote Control (e.g. RC Controller)

Remote control systems let you wirelessly control your underwater lighting system from anywhere onboard (or even from the dock). It uses RF to communicate with a receiver that’s connected to your lights. 

Best for:

• Users who want wireless control

• Boats where access to switch panels is limited

Pros:

• Convenient wireless operation

• Can control multiple zones and basic scenes

• Straightforward setup

Cons:

• Range limits (typically 20 m)

• Not as feature rich as MFD control

Summary

Each method has its place, from simple toggles for basic operations to full digital control via your boat’s MFD. Choose based on how much sophistication you want in your underwater lighting experience and the lights you have installed or plan to install.

Click here to learn more about our control system range.