Fitting anew bulb to an anchor light.

[Ian_Edwards]

The bulb in this anchor light has failed.
A spare bulb was provided with the light.
But I can't sperate the lens from the base, that's the only way to access the bulb holder.
No instruction in or on the box, new at the start of this season.
It looks like it should unscrew, I've clamped the base in a vice and used a strap wrench but can't budge it.
I'm reluctant to use a stilson pipe wrench, it's just plastic and I could completely knacker it!



anyone got one of these, and know how to access the bulb holder?
I haven't tried hot water of penetrating oil yet, I though I'd see if there's real world experience of this, or a similar problem on here.

 

[Graham376]

The lens is a bayonet fitting into the base, twist ant-clock to unlock. Best to use liberal amount of sealant around and in the cable gland you've removed or it's likely to leak.

 

[Ian_Edwards]

Thanks that's useful to know.
I've been trying to twist it ant-clockwise, but can't move it.
I'll try warming the base gently, and see if I can move it.
The gland came loose in my attempts the separate the two parts.
There's a back nut which secures the gland, but that is only accessable after I've managed get inside the anchor light.
I'll make sure it well sealed, if and when, I get to put it back together.

 

[RivalRedwing]

Put it in a bowl of hot water and find a couple of thick elastic bands. After 5 mins remove from the water, wrap the elastic bands around the two halves to provide grip and then hopefully achieve a separation.

 

[Thistle]

What make is it?

 

[Daydream believer]

What make is it?

More importantly, What sort of anchor is the OP using

 

[Seastoke]

Do the sensible thing fit a new led fitting and forget it.

 

[Graham376]

Do the sensible thing fit a new led fitting and forget it.

Dusk to Dawn anchor lights are often supplied with led lamps rather than bulbs, usually a choice of two outputs - Dusk to Dawn Anchor / Utility LED Light • Boatlamps

 

[Ian_Edwards]

What make is it?

It's a utility anchor light bought from Force4.
When I bought it in April this year, I was looking for an LED version, but couldn't find anyone with one in stock. The masthead anchor light had failed and again, I couldn't find stock anywhere, nor could Largs Chandlers.
I'll replace the masthead unit over the winter now the mast is down, but wanted to repair this one. I prefer an anchor light hung in the fore triangle just above head height. I think it's easier to see in an anchorage, than one up 22m on the top of the mast.
This shouldn't be difficult, its designed to have the bulb replaced, it was sold with a spare bulb.

 

[ithet]

I think the spare bulb on these is actually an alternative very low wattage one. I fitted a led bulb to mine instead.

 

[Neeves]

It's a utility anchor light bought from Force4.
When I bought it in April this year, I was looking for an LED version, but couldn't find anyone with one in stock. The masthead anchor light had failed and again, I couldn't find stock anywhere, nor could Largs Chandlers.
I'll replace the masthead unit over the winter now the mast is down, but wanted to repair this one. I prefer an anchor light hung in the fore triangle just above head height. I think it's easier to see in an anchorage, than one up 22m on the top of the mast.
This shouldn't be difficult, its designed to have the bulb replaced, it was sold with a spare bulb.

If you get this one apart -

I concur with your idea to hang the light in the foretriangle, for the reasons you mention. I'd hang it, upside down (with the black housing up) as then the light can shine and illuminate the foredeck which will make your yacht more visible (particularly as maybe 25% of the light is actually point skywards - and few people are going to see that part of the illumination.

Either you need a completely new light or you may need to better waterproof the existing device.

Jonathan

 

[Thistle]

The lens and body just unscrew. Perhaps a couple of these to help?

tradecounterdirect.com/boa-baby-boa-constrictor-strap-wrench_type.html

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

The lens and body just unscrew. Perhaps a couple of these to help?

tradecounterdirect.com/boa-baby-boa-constrictor-strap-wrench_type.html

Says in Post#2 that they are joined by a bayonet connection.

 

[SaltIre]

More importantly, What sort of anchor is the OP using

A light one...

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

It's a utility anchor light bought from Force4.
When I bought it in April this year, I was looking for an LED version, but couldn't find anyone with one in stock. The masthead anchor light had failed and again, I couldn't find stock anywhere, nor could Largs Chandlers.
I'll replace the masthead unit over the winter now the mast is down, but wanted to repair this one. I prefer an anchor light hung in the fore triangle just above head height. I think it's easier to see in an anchorage, than one up 22m on the top of the mast.
This shouldn't be difficult, its designed to have the bulb replaced, it was sold with a spare bulb.

Have you asked F4 for advice?

 

[Thistle]

Says in Post#2 that they are joined by a bayonet connection.

That's not what Force4 say.

 

[Graham376]

That's not what Force4 say.

Well, I have two of them (photocell failed in one) and that's how mine come apart.

 

[Ian_Edwards]

I managed to get it apart, delayed by the failure of my old Bosch paint stripper, I had to wait for a new one to arrive via Amazon.
This definitely has a bayonet fitting, with an O ring seal.



The cable gland has an internal nut, which had come loose, and an O ring seal on the outside, it's now back on and tight, unlikely to come undone again. The O ring is just in compression, no grove or any locator, not the best engineering practice, but probably OK, it should see anything worse than rain.



The filament in the bulb was broken, it's a 1813, with a BAY 9s base, whatever the s means.
I've ordered on of these, BA9S 12 SMD 3014 LED Replacement Lamp

The new LED, although only 0.5W, is likely to be much brighter than the original incandescent, is this likely to turn the anchor light off, it's placed very close to the bulb, see photo below. That would probably result in a flashing light! I'll obviously try it when it arrives.



I do hang it upside down (lens down), from the stay sail halyard, about 4m above the deck, and yes it does light up the deck, but the original was very dim.

 

[Graham376]

......I've ordered on of these, BA9S 12 SMD 3014 LED Replacement Lamp. The new LED, although only 0.5W, is likely to be much brighter than the original incandescent, is this likely to turn the anchor light off, it's placed very close to the bulb, see photo below. That would probably result in a flashing light! I'll obviously try it when it arrives.

No flashing, I think it's something to do with wavelength of the light. We have the brighter of the two led bulbs sold with these lights (BA9S 15 SMD 3528 LED) and it stays in use 365 on the mooring but one segment failed after several years. The slight leak we had was around the cable where it passes through the grommet in the gland, not the gland to base joint.

 

[ithet]

That would probably result in a flashing light! I'll obviously try it when it arrives.

Mine flashed with the original bulb. I just bent the sensor away from the bulb a bit to cure it.

BTW, I think the S on the bulb means single contact base (with body -v) as opposed to dual contact +ve and -ve on base.