Removing cover from Aquasignal 40 masthead light

[Cardo]

So I'm replacing the filament bulbs on the boat with LED ones. I've now got replacement tricolour and anchor bulbs and need to fit them to the masthead lights fitting.

Unfortunately, I can't get the bugger open. It's an Aquasignal 40 series, fairly common I believe. The cover rotates slightly and there's "On" and "Off" markings. If I turn the cover towards the "Off" side, it loosens up but it simply won't come off. It still seems to be attached somehow.

I don't really want to give it a huge tug and break something, so does anyone have any tips on how to get the case off? Is there something I'm missing?

 

[Appledore]

Have a look at this previous same question:

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=301172

 

[merlin3688]

Just checked one I have in stock and it comes apart by turning the part you turned and then turning the lower part the other way, not sure if this makes sense but PM me if you want me to explain on the phone. I guess someone else may be better explaining then me!!

 

[VicS]

So I'm replacing the filament bulbs on the boat with LED ones. I've now got replacement tricolour and anchor bulbs and need to fit them to the masthead lights fitting.

Unfortunately, I can't get the bugger open. It's an Aquasignal 40 series, fairly common I believe. The cover rotates slightly and there's "On" and "Off" markings. If I turn the cover towards the "Off" side, it loosens up but it simply won't come off. It still seems to be attached somehow.

I don't really want to give it a huge tug and break something, so does anyone have any tips on how to get the case off? Is there something I'm missing?

There have been various versions of these over the years. I have what must be the latest type ( Tricolour only)... Invention of the devil!
I fitted it a couple of years ago and last year I changed the bulb to LED .

I take it off for safe storage during the winter when the mast is down

AFAIR loosen the lower locking ring and just lift the whole thing off the base.

Dismantling the various sections is similar but there are split clamping rings involved as well.

BTW my 3 sectored LED came with a special replacement holder that had to be fitted so that the 3 sectors of the LED could be lined up correctly with the three coloured sectors of the lens.

Does this help
(I'd hate to have to do anything to it other than at ground level)

 

[Cardo]

Thanks for the various replies. I'll have to give it another go when I'm down there tomorrow and see which trick works to get the bugger off.

The new LED tricolour comes with the mounting plate thingy to get it lined up right. I've already lit up the bulb to work out where the sectors were, as there's no marking on it to show which is forward.

 

[VicS]

The new LED tricolour comes with the mounting plate thingy to get it lined up right. I've already lit up the bulb to work out where the sectors were, as there's no marking on it to show which is forward.

Sounds like the one I bought. I tried it in the existing holder. About 120 degrees out IIRC .. a long way anyhow.
You'd think they'd mark them but no!

 

[Chalker]

Vic S
Which 3 sector LED with alignment adapter did you buy?

john

 

[VicS]

Vic S
Which 3 sector LED with alignment adapter did you buy?

john

I bought mine from Force4 not by any special selection process other than it's just a small detour on the way to the boat to their Chichester branch.

It came complete with the new holder .. was not expecting that I expected to get a bulb that fitted the lamp without any mods
I think its the EC Smith one fairly common in chandlers but made in China IIRC

If i was doing the same now .. I might with hindsight fit a warm white all round LED.
I understand satisfactory for the red and green although cool white is better for the white sector

A few pictures

. .

 

[Cardo]

I bought mine from Force4 not by any special selection process other than it's just a small detour on the way to the boat to their Chichester branch.

It came complete with the new holder .. was not expecting that I expected to get a bulb that fitted the lamp without any mods
I think its the EC Smith one fairly common in chandlers but made in China IIRC

If i was doing the same now .. I might with hindsight fit a warm white all round LED.
I understand satisfactory for the red and green although cool white is better for the white sector

A few pictures

. .

That looks the same as the one I have.

 

[the_branflake]

Thanks for the various replies. I'll have to give it another go when I'm down there tomorrow and see which trick works to get the bugger off.

The new LED tricolour comes with the mounting plate thingy to get it lined up right. I've already lit up the bulb to work out where the sectors were, as there's no marking on it to show which is forward.

Warm water was the only way mine would come apart. Might be worth a try if you cant undo it. Somebody on another post recommended it so i cant take the credit really

 

[samwise]

Re LEDs, I have found Aten Lighting ( 01664 569457) extremely helpful and knowledgable about LED fitments for marine use.

 

[dial-a-monkey]

I am also having difficulties opening my Aquasignal all round light (attached pics) and possibly the steaming light;

I have read the other posts about using hot water, oil and Vaseline, I hope it doesn't get to that, it's just that i would I'd like to know if I have to apply force it's in the correct direction! infuriatingly the user manual doesn't explain how to open the light.

Also I'm not exactly sure which series these lights are as none of the numbers on the lights match the ones on Aquasignals website.

For the anchor light in the pic can anyone confirm it just needs to be turned anticlockwise? - and for the steaming light it looks like I just need to undo the screw - but haven't tried yet.

I was also wondering if anyone confirm my suspicions that these lights are the "Series 25 Standard" model ?

View attachment 40144View attachment 40142View attachment 40143View attachment 40141

 

[VicS]

I am also having difficulties

For the series 25 steaming light undo the screw you can see above the lens. There are two types. forget which is which but the other has two screws, one top and one bottom.


Cannot help with the anchor light.

 

[dial-a-monkey]

Thanks

 

[GrahamD]

I wish I had the OP's problem. The lens of my Aquasignal combined tricolour and anchor light was snapped in two during the most recent storm - a clean break about 5mm below where the tricolour and anchor light are joined. I've never heard of it before, I presume the masthead must have been strongly vibrating in the 60kts+ gusts resulting in a stress fracture. Now wondering whether to replace it with a NASA combined LED light

 

[nigelmercier]

For the series 25 steaming light undo the screw you can see above the lens...

And then you drop it in the sea. Never mind, I'll buy a new one: €8!