Deck Light, sealed unit?

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Quandary

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Our deck light has probably had less than three hours use, (it does not get dark in N. Scotland in summer until long after my bed time) but last year it would not light. I investigated a new bulb but it actually appears to be a sealed beam lamp in a plastic housing, about 100mm. dia. and the back of the unit bears the text - GE4406 Tractor - 12v 35w 02-2006 - Made in USA.
I presume this type of lamp is commonplace but I was unaware of it and do not recall seeing replacement lamps anywhere, I am puzzled about the very short life and also how easy it might be to source a replacement. Similar, though much larger, units in cars seem to last for years with constant use. I am not bothered by the wattage as it will hardly ever be on except perhaps when we are receiving visitors.
Anyone got any advice?
 
Quandary said:
Our deck light has probably had less than three hours use, (it does not get dark in N. Scotland in summer until long after my bed time) but last year it would not light. I investigated a new bulb but it actually appears to be a sealed beam lamp in a plastic housing, about 100mm. dia. and the back of the unit bears the text - GE4406 Tractor - 12v 35w 02-2006 - Made in USA.
I presume this type of lamp is commonplace but I was unaware of it and do not recall seeing replacement lamps anywhere, I am puzzled about the very short life and also how easy it might be to source a replacement. Similar, though much larger, units in cars seem to last for years with constant use. I am not bothered by the wattage as it will hardly ever be on except perhaps when we are receiving visitors.
Anyone got any advice?
Click to expand...

I think that's a PAR36 package - sealed unit- coincidentally I just removed my own from the deck light last weekend so I'm looking for one too. Plenty of 6v types on eBay and one seller who would normally have 12v - but not at the moment.

Google is my freind - this is mine, hope it's yours too:

http://www.lampspecs.co.uk/Light-Bulbs-Tubes/PAR36

or here, cheaper:

http://www.stagelamps.co.uk/store/par-36-12v-35w-4406-ge
 
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Many thanks, the cheap one looks identical to mine, I will probably order two at that price. The average life of 300 hours quoted seems low for a lamp but it is a lot longer than I got from my first one.
 
Quandary said:
Many thanks, the cheap one looks identical to mine, I will probably order two at that price. The average life of 300 hours quoted seems low for a lamp but it is a lot longer than I got from my first one.
Click to expand...

Yes, it does seem low doesnt it... I'll give you some more accurate figures....
If you use the deck light for 5 minutes 5 times a year then it will last 2 years and its total on life will have been about 25 minutes.

I therefore assume that the 300 hours refers to elapesed time after installation.

Dont believe me.... then buy some new ones and see what happens.

I have only used the very expensive original GE ones....I have no experience with cheap ones... maybe they last longer
 
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fuss said:
Yes, it does seem low doesnt it... I'll give you some more accurate figures....
If you use the deck light for 5 minutes 5 times a year then it will last 2 years and its total on life will have been about 25 minutes.

I therefore assume that the 300 hours refers to elapesed time after installation.

Dont believe me.... then buy some new ones and see what happens.

I have only used the very expensive original GE ones....I have no experience with cheap ones... maybe they last longer
Click to expand...

Source?
 
I bought mine in Turkey so I dont have a source.... you could get them direct from Aqua Signal or from Plastimo I guess, as they make marine deck lights that use them.
Sometimes I wonder why no-one complains more about them. I will never use them again.

What I have done is brought some direct replacement LED lamps from the USA.
They were not easy to find.
I have not installed them yet so I have no idea how well they work, however they colour is whiter and the time they last should be a significant improvement of a couple of hours.

Here is the link...
http://store.marinebeam.com/41sebereledb.html

They use a 10th of the power
 
Thank you, I suspected there would be an led replacement available somewhere but I do not use mine enough to justify spending six times as much per unit. The GE ones managed four seasons at my rate of use, probably about 2 hrs per year; so the two I have ordered with Concentriks help should hopefully see me through another 7 or 8.
If the boat was in more southern latitudes where it gets fully dark at night during the cruising season led would be the way to go and then I could show off like the superyachts by bathing our mast in blue light all night. The led substitutes must be useful for those on the South Coast of England or boats in use through the winter.
 
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