Dome Lights

[GWB]

I have some old round dome lights that have the 2 prong light socket. The socket is mounted to the light fitting with a small screw through the top of the reflector. I have 6 of these lights and all of them make intermittant contact with the light bulb positive and negative. The spring loaded prongs in the socket are not close enough to the lead/silver contact point on the bulbs.
These are ABI brand I think - made in China.
Anyone else run into this?

[James S]

Can you bend the contact clip in a bit to get them to touch the bulb?

[GWB]

Hi James - they are double contact twist type... here is a picture

And this is the bulb:

[GordMay]

Yes, it's common for the spring to get weak. I've never had much luck in trying to replace just the spring.
Replacement sockets may be available.
That’s a “double bayonet” base miniature lamp socket.

Try ➥ http://www.colehersee.com/pdf/master_cat/s_lamp.PDF

[svHyLyte]

You might find the following post of interest http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tion-3711.html . Since making up the version of the dome lights described in that post we have dispensed with incandescent bulbs that are shown in the snaps and have installed two LED arays, one red, one white, and two position switches. They work very well and give more light than the incandescent buls did yet virtually no heat.

FWIW...

[GordMay]

It's worth noting that HyLyte's LED conversion was done in 2006; so he's had considerable time to evaluate the performance.

[svHyLyte]

Our LED dome lights continue to work well with no failures in 3-1/2 years. One thing that we did discover is that we only really need a single red LED aray in the night light versions as the light from two arays was much brighter than necessary. The double white light arays provide more than enough light for night illumination in our cabins. Best of all, the lights remain relatively cool to the touch and our power consumption is much reduced.

FWIW...

s/v HyLyte