How do I open a Hella 4532 chart lamp to change the bulb please?

[Nick Skinner]

Can anyone help me as to how to open a Hella 4532 chart lamp to change the bulb to LED? It should be simple but I am not finding the solution and do not want to break it in the process. Many thanks.

 

[fredrussell]

Just bumping this as no answers yet.

I don’t have one of these but my guess would be that the clear lens pops out with a bit of gentle persuasion.

 

[cpedw]

I have taken one of these apart but to lng ago to remember certainly. I think there's a wee notch in the left side of the lens as seen in the photo. Poke a small screwdriver blade in there gently and the lens pops out.

I know that I replaced mine with a whole new LED fitting so I think I must have failed to find a suitable LED bulb. I wish you luck!

 

[wonkywinch]

A "spudger" should do it. Big Clive uses them to diassemble practically everything.

 

[Nick Skinner]

I will go to the boat tomorrow and report back on the outcome. This is my first time on the forum and I am blown away by the helpfulness of other members. Thank you so much.

 

[wonkywinch]

Poke a small screwdriver blade in there gently and the lens pops out

Top tip, use plastic tools, eg guitar pick rather than metal to avoid damaging or marking plastic objects.

I have this set from Amazon for not much money (£6.59)

Plastic Spudger Tool Set on Amazon

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

Can anyone help me as to how to open a Hella 4532 chart lamp to change the bulb to LED? It should be simple but I am not finding the solution and do not want to break it in the process. Many thanks.

View attachment 206996

AI says:- To change the bulb on a Hella 4532 series chart reading lamp, remove the snap-on red or clear lens, push the bayonet-type (BA9s) 12V 5W/6W bulb in, and twist counterclockwise to release it. Replace with a new BA9s bulb (e.g., 1813 or 1815), then reattach the lens by snapping it back over the housing.
Don't blame me if it is wrong

 

[wonkywinch]

I was going to suggest a replacement that you could switch to red for night use, either mechanically or electrically. I fitted a Labcraft Dual Colour LED light but looking at the Hella, it appears they come with an alternative red lens so they must be very easy to pop in and out. Check the back of your cupboards and trinket drawer, the red filter might be in there.

 

[Supertramp]

I battled with this problem. It can be done but I recall it involved bending some plastic tabs to their limit. I ended up fitting two led lamps, one red (the Hella one discussed here with the red lens and a self fitted LED bulb) and another separate white LED for reading. With hindsight a simple switchable solution like a head torch would be better.

 

[wonkywinch]

This is the Labcraft one I installed over the chart table. A switch for one/off at the base and a swivelling lens, turn it for red or white light.

 

[Leslie frank]

I have done this. You wiggle around until the lens drops out but then it won't stay back in. It was a really annoying job for something that should be very easy

 

[Nick Skinner]

I will go to the boat tomorrow and report back on the outcome. This is my first time on the forum and I am blown away by the helpfulness of other members. Thank you so much.

Yes, it was as simple as removing the transparent lens - using a plastic tool - by means of the small slot/gap built into that lens. I was a bit mislead by evidence that a previous owner had tried to prise apart the outer black plastic casing. Those scuff marks have now been removed with some very fine sand paper. Thank you everybody for your wonderful contributions. Another tick in my very long to do list.

 

[IanCC]

Can anyone help me as to how to open a Hella 4532 chart lamp to change the bulb to LED? It should be simple but I am not finding the solution and do not want to break it in the process. Many thanks.

View attachment 206996

I had one like that in my campervan. I seem to remember splitting it. But then the whole thing had to be hwld together with an elastic band.