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Old 16-08-2010, 06:29   #1
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Spreader Lights

I have four adjustable spreader lights ( sealed beams ) and all four need to be re-lamped. How do I get the bulbs out? What tools do I need to take up with me? It's not clear how to get them apart.

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Old 16-08-2010, 07:04   #2
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How do they adjust? LOL With a quick climb?
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Old 16-08-2010, 07:25   #3
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I think they are called "sealed beams" for a reason! Possibly they don't come out andd the entire light will need to be replaced. Don't buy new ones at a boat store but get them online from a truck supply place for less than half the price.
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Old 16-08-2010, 07:25   #4
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I've no direct experience on a boat but on a car, a sealed beam unit means replacing the whole thing, reflector, lens and the bulb are all one unit.

P.
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Old 16-08-2010, 07:45   #5
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you've probably got a Perko adjustable spreader light. Does it look like this?

PERKO Inc.

if so, the bulb can be replaced.
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Old 16-08-2010, 07:54   #6
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If it does look like the Perko that Bash suggests the bulbs come out relatively easy. Look closely and around the edge of the glass bulb you'll see what appears to be a rubber gasket/ring. This is between the metal housing and the bulb. Simply pry it out. I've used a variety of small sharp devices including pocket knives, dental picks, etc. whatever you have handy. The bulb will then drop free and hang from its wiring harness.

Replace the bulb and push gasket back in place.

What gets me about these bulbs is that they are the same ones used for garden tractors, which are much cheaper, but the connection points on the garden tractor are in a slightly different location so that they will not fit the spreader light housing. This forces me to pay 2-3 times more for the "marine" version.

Hope this helps,
Rich
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Old 16-08-2010, 15:18   #7
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Yes indeed they are Perko and I will take some small pointy stuff up there when I go up. I think I have a dental pick and some floss around here somewhere. Gotta go! I talked the Admiral into dinner out and a night on the boat. Maybe I'll get lucky. He he he.............Thanks Guys
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Old 16-08-2010, 16:42   #8
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The older, shallower units, or the ones with the ball joint mounting, just have a metal wire expansion ring clip to hold them in place.
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Old 16-08-2010, 16:53   #9
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I've gotten those Perko bulbs from a lamp warehouse; they cost about $20 each. They are used as landing lights on small planes. Mine kept blowing out so I replaced them with the rectangular sealed beam lights that have not blown out
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Old 16-08-2010, 17:02   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IdoraKeeper View Post
Yes indeed they are Perko and I will take some small pointy stuff up there when I go up. I think I have a dental pick and some floss around here somewhere.
I've worked on those lights before, and there may be an easier way than the plan you outline above, especially if it involves dental school.

Consider the following five steps:
1. Unstep the main mast.
2. Unstep the mizzen.
3. Change the bulbs.
4. Step the main mast.
5. Step the mizzen.

Might be a good idea change the standing rigging as well. That way, next time your deck lights go out, you'll know it's time to sell the boat.
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Old 16-08-2010, 18:03   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bash View Post
I've worked on those lights before, and there may be an easier way than the plan you outline above, especially if it involves dental school.

Consider the following five steps:
1. Unstep the main mast.
2. Unstep the mizzen.
3. Change the bulbs.
4. Step the main mast.
5. Step the mizzen.

Might be a good idea change the standing rigging as well. That way, next time your deck lights go out, you'll know it's time to sell the boat.
bash---that is perfect!!!!! excellent answer!!!
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Old 16-08-2010, 18:12   #12
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I wanna play.

Sink the boat in your slip.
Stand on the dock and change out the lamps.
Re-float your boat.
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Old 16-08-2010, 18:20   #13
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Originally Posted by Minggat View Post
Sink the boat in your slip.
Stand on the dock and change out the lamps.
Re-float your boat.
Well, yes, duh, that's obviously a much more elegant solution. But here on Cruiser's Forum we never advocate environmentally hazardous bulb changing.

(Besides, in most marinas your technique would only work at high tide. Please note that the solution I've proposed works regardless of tidal stage.)
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Old 16-08-2010, 18:57   #14
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Oh, sorry. I forgot to mention the first step.

Remove the keel.

That at least might negate the tide issue.

I have chosen the wrong career.
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Old 16-08-2010, 19:07   #15
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Originally Posted by speciald@ocens. View Post
I've gotten those Perko bulbs from a lamp warehouse; they cost about $20 each. They are used as landing lights on small planes. Mine kept blowing out so I replaced them with the rectangular sealed beam lights that have not blown out
Small aircraft landing lights are notorious for not lasting....try and get any other purposed bulb, if you can.
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