Hella Anchor Light Bulb Replacement

petem

petem

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Joined
16 May 2001
Messages
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Location
Cotswolds / Altea
www.fairlineownersclub.com
Another "Gardener's Question Time" post I'm afraid...

My anchor light isn't working. Hopefully it's just a blown bulb that I can replace with an LED equivalent.

Anyhow this is the light...

https://www.asap-supplies.com/navigation-light-all-round-white-12v-721127

Apparently "the bulb can be easily accessed and changed due to the 'snap lock' housing". Does anyone know how this 'snap lock' housing works?
 
I would put the light into a warm room to warm it up first as this makes the plastic more pliable and flexible.
 
petem said:
Another "Gardener's Question Time" post I'm afraid...

My anchor light isn't working. Hopefully it's just a blown bulb that I can replace with an LED equivalent.

Anyhow this is the light...

https://www.asap-supplies.com/navigation-light-all-round-white-12v-721127

Apparently "the bulb can be easily accessed and changed due to the 'snap lock' housing". Does anyone know how this 'snap lock' housing works?
Click to expand...

The lens and cap are a single assembly that just rotate off the base.
 
Although bulbs obviously do go , last year I found 3 of my 4 imo lights not working .
Just fancied a pm test in the marina - just as well .
Plan was to disassemble and toggle off to marina chandler bulbs in hand .
Next morning- Two screws later off with the lens.
Tested power with a voltmeter all ok 24 V when switched on .
Eyeballed the bulbs - looked ok ,buts that’s not really a reliable test .Stuck a continuity tester on them - all 3 ok .

Hmm !
Went back to the units with a bit of emery paper , rubbed down the contacts a copper looking metal - refitted bulbs and rubbed down the point on the torpedo ends of the bulbs a plane grey looking base type metal - hey presto all worked .

Diagnosis = corroded slightly contacts - somewhere? , increased resistance for the 24 v to do much .

So every year now I open them up , clean the contacts and check the rubber gasket.
Surprising how dusty the inside of the lens becomes too .
Got a spare bulb which is itching to be used btw:)
 
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well slightly better than my experience then!
after MiToS refit, nav light bulbs started burning at an alarming rate (as in 2 in 4-5h use) puzzled, replaced bulbs, same thing.
Got my specs on, checked the small print and sure enough they were 12V and not 24V, argh!
so now got 2 more 12V to give to one of the 12V guys in the pontoon and make sure I wont do the same mistake.

V.
 
Portofino said:
Although bulbs obviously do go , last year I found 3 of my 4 imo lights not working .
Just fancied a pm test in the marina - just as well .
Plan was to disassemble and toggle off to marina chandler bulbs in hand .
Next morning- Two screws later off with the lens.
Tested power with a voltmeter all ok 24 V when switched on .
Eyeballed the bulbs - looked ok ,buts that’s not really a reliable test .Stuck a continuity tester on them - all 3 ok .

Hmm !
Went back to the units with a bit of emery paper , rubbed down the contacts a copper looking metal - refitted bulbs and rubbed down the point on the torpedo ends of the bulbs a plane grey looking base type metal - hey presto all worked .

Diagnosis = corroded slightly contacts - somewhere? , increased resistance for the 24 v to do much .

So every year now I open them up , clean the contacts and check the rubber gasket.
Surprising how dusty the inside of the lens becomes too .
Got a spare bulb which is itching to be used btw:)
Click to expand...

Back in the days when I did boat PDIs one point was to apply vaseline to terminals of nav light bulbs and waxoyl wire ends and crimp connectors Prevention rather than cure was the motto.
 
Last edited:
Portofino said:
Although bulbs obviously do go , last year I found 3 of my 4 imo lights not working .
Just fancied a pm test in the marina - just as well .
Plan was to disassemble and toggle off to marina chandler bulbs in hand .
Next morning- Two screws later off with the lens.
Tested power with a voltmeter all ok 24 V when switched on .
Eyeballed the bulbs - looked ok ,buts that’s not really a reliable test .Stuck a continuity tester on them - all 3 ok .

Hmm !
Went back to the units with a bit of emery paper , rubbed down the contacts a copper looking metal - refitted bulbs and rubbed down the point on the torpedo ends of the bulbs a plane grey looking base type metal - hey presto all worked .

Diagnosis = corroded slightly contacts - somewhere? , increased resistance for the 24 v to do much .

So every year now I open them up , clean the contacts and check the rubber gasket.
Surprising how dusty the inside of the lens becomes too .
Got a spare bulb which is itching to be used btw:)
Click to expand...

You might like to try putting some Contralube on the contacts- it’s excellent stuff.
 
Right that's it. I'm going off grid for the whole month of May and I'm going to swap phones with Trevor and lose my iPads. Might see if I can get a last minute vacation in Kazakhstan :D
 
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