How in the world do I change this foredeck light bulb?

[andrewembassy]

I was checking out my mast (see this thread) and on my way up I was trying to find a way to change this light (see above). However try as I might I couldn't find any way to change it much less replace it. Anybody have any experience with these kinds of lights?

[LeaseOnLife]

it probably is a PAR36 sealed beam bulb

a metal or plastic split ring holds it in the housing.

[Nicholson58]

I would change it to one of these

https://store.marinebeam.com/4-1-2-s...der-lamp-bulb/

[estarzinger]

Originally Posted by LeaseOnLife

a metal or plastic split ring holds it in the housing.

Yup, if you look straight up at the light, you will see a wire split retaining ring hold the bulb in. Split ring pliers will remove it smoothly, or (less smoothly) you can pry or pull with needle nose or small screwdriver.

[andrewembassy]

Thanks folks - I saw the split ring but it didn't look like the normal kind of split ring (two small holes for a split ring pliers) - instead it looked more just like a plastic ring. I'll get the needle nose vice grips out and see what I can do...

Thanks for the tip on the LED replacement bulb!

[Red Sky]

Either the split ring like LOL said or does the ring around the edge of the bulb unscrew or pry off? WM has it for sale less than $22, you might see if your local Store has one in stock you could look at. You might just consider buying one as a spare, the 55watt, Par 36 bulb will cost you darn near that anyway. http://www.westmarine.com/buy/seafit...ts--P000151050

[andrewembassy]

Originally Posted by Red Sky

Either the split ring like LOL said or does the ring around the edge of the bulb unscrew or pry off? WM has it for sale less than $22, you might see if your local Store has one in stock you could look at. You might just consider buying one as a spare, the 55watt, Par 36 bulb will cost you darn near that anyway. SEAFIT Stainless-Steel Spreader Lights | West Marine

I was thinking that it would but try as I might it wouldn't budge (and I'm fairly certain there isn't any threading on it anyway).

That swivel spreader light you linked to looks to have the exact same split ring though - is there a special tool to pull that out or is it just something you yank out with pliers?

[Red Sky]

I just enlarged the picture, it appears that there's a ring just inside the rim of the housing. If so, use a small flat blade screw driver and pry/work it out. One you get it started, you should be able to slide the blade around the rim relatively easy and remove the ring. Be careful not to drop the bulb or the ring as you do it.

[newhaul]

Yep there is a snap ring just use a small screwdriver to pry/pop it out and be sure not to drop/let it spring out of your hands ( had same setup on the turn signals on my old truck and trailers.)

[skipgundlach]

Originally Posted by andrewembassy

I was checking out my mast (see this thread) and on my way up I was trying to find a way to change this light (see above). However try as I might I couldn't find any way to change it much less replace it. Anybody have any experience with these kinds of lights?

I converted the same fixture to LEDs shortly after I'd replaced (and bought a spare pair, of course, I being INTJ) the incandescent bulb(s).

If you're in the Vero Beach area you're welcome to them, virtually unused.

skipgundlach@gmail.com...

BTW, mine are simple spring-steel circles; get one end started and it lifts out by pulling on that end a bit, releasing the edge as you go along; be ready to catch the bulb...

[andrewembassy]

Originally Posted by skipgundlach

I converted the same fixture to LEDs shortly after I'd replaced (and bought a spare pair, of course, I being INTJ) the incandescent bulb(s).

If you're in the Vero Beach area you're welcome to them, virtually unused.

skipgundlach@gmail.com...

BTW, mine are simple spring-steel circles; get one end started and it lifts out by pulling on that end a bit, releasing the edge as you go along; be ready to catch the bulb...

Thanks Skip - I think I'm going to try for the LED replacement as well.

I'm in Seattle, actually - getting ready for fall and winter - I'd guess your sailing season is still in full swing, eh?

[skipgundlach]

Originally Posted by andrewembassy

Thanks Skip - I think I'm going to try for the LED replacement as well.

I'm in Seattle, actually - getting ready for fall and winter - I'd guess your sailing season is still in full swing, eh?

Ehhh...

Not so much. Read the "Shake and Break" series elsewhere in the Forum. We're in Vero Beach, again, I hope only long enough to do some traveling for family and college reunion stuff (national champion rowing team; we're getting on in years, so to speak, this particular team having done that 51 years ago), and then coming back to the Bahamas before winter.

Sailing season for us is any time, as we're only ashore for family (or, in my case, ongoing reunions, as I was fortunate to have gone undefeated save a bronze in the national finals in my sophomore year) stuff, normally. Thus, I'm going to reunions, a lot, covering my college career. Along the way, I accumlated a bale of shirts! (In rowing, your bet your shirt; every race generated one or more shirts - the various regattas leading up to the championship would generate N>>>1 shirts, each time, and up to 30 in the finals, depending on how many schools participated.)

L8R

Skip, changing out a sink basket/drain bowl today

[andrewembassy]

Originally Posted by skipgundlach

Ehhh...

Not so much. Read the "Shake and Break" series elsewhere in the Forum. We're in Vero Beach, again, I hope only long enough to do some traveling for family and college reunion stuff (national champion rowing team; we're getting on in years, so to speak, this particular team having done that 51 years ago), and then coming back to the Bahamas before winter.

Sailing season for us is any time, as we're only ashore for family (or, in my case, ongoing reunions, as I was fortunate to have gone undefeated save a bronze in the national finals in my sophomore year) stuff, normally. Thus, I'm going to reunions, a lot, covering my college career. Along the way, I accumlated a bale of shirts! (In rowing, your bet your shirt; every race generated one or more shirts - the various regattas leading up to the championship would generate N>>>1 shirts, each time, and up to 30 in the finals, depending on how many schools participated.)

L8R

Skip, changing out a sink basket/drain bowl today

That's awesome about rowing. I recently just read The Boys in the Boat about the University of Washington crew team in 1938. Really inspiring story.

Where should I look for the "Shake and Break" story?

[boeing1]

yes it is a snap ring, found that the replacement lamp is costly, suggest go with a led light assy.

[skipgundlach]

Originally Posted by andrewembassy

That's awesome about rowing. I recently just read The Boys in the Boat about the University of Washington crew team in 1938. Really inspiring story.

Where should I look for the "Shake and Break" story?

search Shake and Break (a long series, by now), in CF.

TBITB was very much like our Frosh '64 champion boat. We beat Wisconsin, who went on to win the IRA, the 'big boys' crew regatta, that year, both Frosh and Varsity - but the Varsity didn't complete at their end of season; we were the only boat to go gold that year.

This is the forum, but if you search for my name, it will pop up...

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