Lalizas pulpit lights - waterproof?

[jaminb]

Morning all

on my recent adventures I managed to loose the port lens cover -not sure how but think I lent on it whilst wresling with a mooring strop. No problem i replaced the bulbs with very expensive led bulbs at the start of the season and had replaced the starboard unit after a minor bump. Bought the new port unit and as i had found previously discovered the new lens although the same size had a slightly different base plate moulding so replaced complete unit. easy job as the existing holes lined up.
Anyway came to testing and not a lot happening a couple of tiny red leds working the other 30 not, hardly surprising as the unit was a bit green. Checked the starboard side and that is now not working opened and full of green corrosion.

the nitrile gasket is in place as is a gromet where the cable enters. A quick trawl of tinternet doesnt suggest these units are rubbish so any ideas why mine has leaked?

 

[Refueler]

They are not sealed ... they are not designed to be sealed ...

They all suffer water ingress ...

 

[jaminb]

Really? Can you get waterproof LED bulbs? surprised Boatlamps didn’t mention it with their excellent pre-purchase advice.

 

[Daverw]

A think that’s why LED replacement light fittings are expensive as the LEDs are fully encapsulated in resin

 

[Refueler]

Really? Can you get waterproof LED bulbs? surprised Boatlamps didn’t mention it with their excellent pre-purchase advice.

Your post was about Lazilas nav lights ? Corrosion ... green is usually seawater + copper based .....

Now you say waterproof LED bulbs ...

Re-reading your opening post still leads to consider the whole lamp unit is your question - and again I say - they are not sealed 100% ... they are gasketed / grommeted to reduce the total ingress of water ......

If you think that's not correct ... and you still have receipt for the unit - try shop where you bought and see if they will replace ...

 

[saxonpirate]

I say - they are not sealed 100% ... they are gasketed / grommeted to reduce the total ingress of water ......

This ^^^^^ splash-proof is the term used I think....

 

[jaminb]

they claim to be water resistant. my point was if the lights are know to be leaky I need water proof bulbs. I have covered the terminals and the bulb contacts with Boatlamps gel so no green there just the led bulb is green and now not working. Have put the old filament bulbs back in and working fine but would prefer benefits of LED.

thanks for your helpful comments so far.

Lalizas 12m Navigation Light | Force 4 Chandlery

 

[jaminb]

https://imgur.com/a/Qykz9j6

 

[Refueler]

they claim to be water resistant. my point was if the lights are know to be leaky I need water proof bulbs. I have covered the terminals and the bulb contacts with Boatlamps gel so no green there just the led bulb is green and now not working. Have put the old filament bulbs back in and working fine but would prefer benefits of LED.

thanks for your helpful comments so far.

Lalizas 12m Navigation Light | Force 4 Chandlery

You are aware that LED bulbs are polarity based ? That is they only go one way round ... did you try swapping them 180 deg ?

As to the green gunge ... that's Seawater and crud based on copper bits ....

I have never used any gel or spray to water protect any nav lights in over 50yrs of boating .... but have contemplated getting hold of CORROSION X - a spray designed for just this sort of job ... its clear ... it's a micro thin coating ....

 

[rogerthebodger]

Water resistant does not mean waterproof they are vastly different

I would aint of spray the ulbs with a lacquer or varnish after covring the end contacts

 

[jaminb]

Just to conclude Boatlamps make a waterproof LED bulb for water resistant lamp holders.

 

[B27]

Just put the lenses back on with a bit of Gorilla Snot.

 

[VicS]

You are aware that LED bulbs are polarity based ? That is they only go one way round ... did you try swapping them 180 deg ?

LEDs are polarity conscious but the LED based festoon lamps and bayonet lamps used in nav lights are not . . . . at least the ones Boatlamps supply are not.
.

 

[Refueler]

LEDs are polarity conscious but the LED based festoon lamps and bayonet lamps used in nav lights are not . . . . at least the ones Boatlamps supply are not.
.

mmm interesting .... ones I get out here are ...

Wonder how they get the LED's to work both ways ?

 

[AngusMcDoon]

mmm interesting .... ones I get out here are ...

Wonder how they get the LED's to work both ways ?

Diode bridge. Most have them now, even tiny LED G4 capsules.

 

[Gsailor]

https://imgur.com/a/Qykz9j6

The light housing is clearly not waterproof (IP67 ?) and the LEDs clearly were not waterproof -covered in clear resin or the like.

There are lots of materials that are supposed to make things waterproof, from sprays to gels, but an LED designed to be waterproof should be guaranteed to keep working - but if the housing is not waterproof, the contacts and wires will corrode and the corrosion will creep along wire if it is not tinned.
So best to make your light housings waterproof is one solution perhaps.
Good luck

 

[Gsailor]

Just put the lenses back on with a bit of Gorilla Snot.

Do you have a link for that?

Is snot waterproof?

Do I have to get it from a gorilla or will any old snot do?

In seriousness, I agree - make the housing waterproof (with an LED inside) and hopefully it will never have to be taken apart.

 

[B27]

It seems that 'Gorilla Snot' is a brand of hair gel now.
It used to mean silicone sealant, instant gasket, hermatite or some other sticky stuff.
Silicone sealant might be OK for putting in your hair, but hair gel is probably no use for sealing electrical fittings.

 

[Gsailor]

A think that’s why LED replacement light fittings are expensive as the LEDs are fully encapsulated in resin

The ones in the photo of this thread don’t look like they were encased in resin - difficult to tell - but they certainly corroded.

 

[Gsailor]

As an aside, if I were you I would measure the voltage from the wires now that they have been subjected to salt water (or is your wire tinned?) to check you are getting the full voltage and current - I have seen wire that is not tinned corrode for metres along its length once water has got in there.