The AFOL’s Guide to Lighting the New LEGO® Icons Black Pearl 10365

It’s finally here. After 14 long years, the most legendary ship in movie history has returned to the brick: the LEGO® Icons 10365 Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Ship.

As an AFOL, my hands were shaking building this thing. It’s a 2,862-piece behemoth, and the level of detail in the captain’s quarters, the intricate rigging, and the updated minifigures make the 2011 version look like a dinghy.

But once I placed it on my shelf, I faced the exact same problem all collectors have: this stunning, dark-sailed ship is a void. It’s a black hole for light. All those phenomenal details in the cabin and on the dark-brown deck? They vanish in the shadow of those massive black sails.

This set wasn’t designed to be just built. As a LEGO Icons 18+ set, it was designed to be displayed. And for a ship this iconic, "display" means "lit."

Table of Contents

• My Experience: Unboxing and Lighting the 10365 'Pearl'

• Why the 10365 Is the Perfect Set for an LED Kit

  • It's an AFOL Display Piece, Not a Toy

  • Illuminating the "Hidden" Details

  • Creating That Ghostly, Cinematic Vibe

• An AFOL's Guide to Choosing the Right Kit for 10365

• LEGO Black Pearl 10365 Lighting: FAQ

• Raise the Colours: Don’t Let Your Masterpiece Stay in the Dark

My Experience: Unboxing and Lighting the 10365 'Pearl'

I got my copy of the 10365 on day one. As I was building it, I wasn't just following the instruction manual; I was already mentally installing the light kit. I've been lighting LEGO sets since 2017, and I can tell you this set was made for it.

The new, fully-enclosed captain's cabin is a perfect example. It's packed with details like a map, candlesticks, and a globe, but they're completely invisible from the outside. My first move was to test-fit a warm-white LED strip light inside the ceiling—the effect was transformative. It instantly felt like a scene from the movie.

This isn't like lighting an old, hollow-hulled ship. The 10365 is a dense, modern build. This means that while hiding wires is more challenging, the result is infinitely cleaner. A good kit, like the ones we design at Bright My Bricks, uses the set's own structure—running wires under deck plates and behind wall elements—to become totally invisible.

Why the 10365 Is the Perfect Set for an LED Kit

Not every LEGO set needs lights, but this one absolutely does. Here’s why this specific model demands illumination.

It's an AFOL Display Piece, Not a Toy

This set is part of the LEGO® Icons line for a reason. It's meant to be the centerpiece of a room. Without lights, it’s a static (and very dark) model. With lights, it’s a living diorama. The faint, flickering glow from the cabin and stern lanterns gives it life, mood, and a cinematic quality that no unlit set can match.

Illuminating the "Hidden" Details

LEGO designers went all out on the interior, but it's all enclosed. A lighting kit is the only way to show off:

• The Captain's Quarters: The map, the bottles, the desk—all of it.

• The Deck Below: Showcasing the cannons and cargo hold.

• The Ship's Lanterns: The 10365 has beautifully designed lanterns on the stern. Adding warm, flickering bit lights inside them is non-negotiable for an expert display.

Creating That Ghostly, Cinematic Vibe

The Black Pearl isn't just a ship; it's a cursed ship. The true "wow" factor comes from adding a few green or eerie-blue bit lights along the deck or aimed up at the tattered sails. This subtle effect is what separates a "good" display from an "unforgettable" one.

An AFOL's Guide to Choosing the Right Kit for 10365

As this is a new, complex, and expensive set, please do not use a generic, one-size-fits-all kit. You will be frustrated, and the results will be poor.

Trust me on this: You need a kit designed specifically for the LEGO 10365.

Here’s what to look for, based on my personal tests:

1. Custom-Length Wires: A dedicated 10365 kit will have the exact wire lengths needed to reach from the power source to the tip of the masts and the end of the stern, with no ugly, bundled-up excess.

2. Flickering Bit Lights: The lanterns must have a flicker effect board. A static, "always-on" light looks fake and toy-like. We need a realistic, candle-lit glow.

3. Wide-Angle Strip Lights: For the captain's cabin. A single "bit light" won't be enough to light the whole room. A strip light provides broad, even illumination.

4. Clear, Step-by-Step Instructions: The instructions should show you exactly which bricks to temporarily remove to hide the wires. This is critical for an Icons-level set.

About the Author: A Word From Your Fellow AFOL

"Written by 'BrickCaptain' Mike, an AFOL for 15+ years and a LEGO lighting specialist. I've personally built and lit over 200 sets, from classic '90s pirates to modern Icons masterpieces like this one. My passion is helping fellow collectors take their displays to the next level. This post was last updated in October 2025 with my hands-on tips for the 10365."

Raise the Colours: Don’t Let Your Masterpiece Stay in the Dark

The LEGO® Icons 10365 Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Ship is arguably one of the greatest LEGO ships ever released. You’ve already invested the time and money to build this masterpiece. Don't let it sit on a shelf and fade into a silhouette.

Give it the cinematic magic it was designed for.

Explore our exclusive, custom-designed LED light kit for the LEGO 10365. Bring your Black Pearl to life with Bright My Bricks.

LEGO Black Pearl 10365 Lighting: FAQ

As an expert who has installed this kit, I wanted to answer some of the most common questions AFOLs have before they start.

1. Is it hard to install an LED kit on the LEGO 10365? From my experience, I'd rate this an intermediate-level installation. It's more complex than a standard modular building because of the ship's hull shape and the intricate rigging. However, a high-quality kit designed for the 10365 will have instructions that guide you step-by-step. My best advice: take your time, work in a well-lit area, and be patient, especially when hiding wires along the masts.

2. Will a light kit damage my LEGO bricks or sails?

Absolutely not, provided you use a quality, low-voltage (5V) system like ours. The wires are ultra-thin and designed to fit between studs without causing any stress or "gapping" to your bricks. The LEDs generate no heat, so they are 100% safe for your plastic bricks and the fabric sails.

3. Should I install the lights during or after I build the Black Pearl?

This is a great question. For this specific set, I strongly recommend installing the lights after the model is fully built. Our kits are designed to be retrofitted. You will need to temporarily remove key sections, like the cabin roof and parts of the deck, to route the wires. This is far easier to do on a completed, stable model than trying to build around the wires.

4. What's better for the LEGO 10365: a battery pack or USB power?

This depends entirely on your display.

• Battery Pack (AA or AAA): This is the cleanest option if your ship is on an open shelf where a cable would look messy.

• USB Power: This is my personal preference for any permanent display (like in a bookcase or cabinet). You never have to worry about changing batteries, and you can run a single USB cable to a hub to power your entire LEGO collection. The 10365 looks best when it's always ready to glow.