Change a Nav light bulb

[tdijettasport]

Sorry for such a basic question. I have one nav bulb out on my bayliner 192 (see photo). I have undone the screws which are on the rubber/plastic base but it wont come off. Should I be prying on the chrome part or the rubber part. Does it slide backwards, twist? I don't want to break it.

Should I use a heat gun?



With your suggestions, any one also want to suggest if an LED would be a good replacement once it off?

Thanks

Daryl

 

[KnotConnected]

Re: Change a Nav light bulb

Daryl,

that *should* just pop off the hull once you've remove those screws. Once its off, flip it over to disassemble the light.

CAUTION! I assume your 192 is on the trailer, but if you're doing this ON the water (as I did), its VERY easy to let stuff slip / drop into the water when you're prying and tinkering. Go slowly.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Change a Nav light bulb

no heat gun btw

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Change a Nav light bulb

Just gently pry around the edge with a flat screwdriver or give it a few light taps with a rubber mallet. You can use an LED replacement bulb, but just make sure that it outputs light in all directions so that it allows the inner housing to reflect the light as it would with a standard bulb.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Change a Nav light bulb

With your suggestions, any one also want to suggest if an LED would be a good replacement once it off?

Daryl

This may spark a debate.

When the USCG certifies that a nav light meets visibility standards (either 1 or 2 nm depending on the size of the boat), they certify BOTH the bulb and its fixture (lens) together. To date, there is no certified LED bulb replacement for an incandescent nav light. There are, however, certified LED nav light assemblies.

Replacing an incandescent bulb with a LED bulb might not make any difference, but given the differing light emitting properties of LED's vs incandescents, I chose not to install LED bulbs in my old lenses. I replaced all of it with certified LED nav light assemblies.

My .02

 

[Geko45]

Re: Change a Nav light bulb

This may spark a debate.

When the USCG certifies that a nav light meets visibility standards (either 1 or 2 nm depending on the size of the boat), they certify BOTH the bulb and its fixture (lens) together. To date, there is no certified LED bulb replacement for an incandescent nav light. There are, however, certified LED nav light assemblies.

Replacing an incandescent bulb with a LED bulb might not make any difference, but given the differing light emitting properties of LED's vs incandescents, I chose not to install LED bulbs in my old lenses. I replaced all of it with certified LED nav light assemblies.

My .02

Have you considered a career with the FAA? (meant in good jest).

 

[JoLin]

Re: Change a Nav light bulb

You mean the (old) Farts Anonymous of America? I'm already President... :facepalm:

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Change a Nav light bulb

I thought about mentioning the USCG certification stuff when I originally posted it, but as a pilot I already think some of that stuff is exhaustive. As long as the light is as bright as the old one, I doubt there will be issue. At least in the non-commercial marine realm, there is no "FAA" that will deny you because you put in an LED bulb that lasts longer, is brighter, and uses has much less amperage draw than the original. If you are concerned about breaking the USCG certification of a light fixture, then by all means use the std bulb.

 

[tdijettasport]

Re: Change a Nav light bulb

Thanks for the feedback. There was a lot of silicone under the unit. Turned out the bulb was fine, I just needed to clean the contacts.

It was a bugger to put back on too very very tight fit! But job is done, thanks again.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Change a Nav light bulb

This may spark a debate.

When the USCG certifies that a nav light meets visibility standards (either 1 or 2 nm depending on the size of the boat), they certify BOTH the bulb and its fixture (lens) together. To date, there is no certified LED bulb replacement for an incandescent nav light. There are, however, certified LED nav light assemblies.

Replacing an incandescent bulb with a LED bulb might not make any difference, but given the differing light emitting properties of LED's vs incandescents, I chose not to install LED bulbs in my old lenses. I replaced all of it with certified LED nav light assemblies.

My .02

I actually purchased several replacement led bulbs and after several tests and looking at the effect I tossed my old housings in the trash, put the led's in the dome, trunk, courtesy, map, glove box, and license plate lights of my car and choked out the money for all new led fixtures.... MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH more visible from all directions... far more reliable with no bulb contact issued ever and the bulbs can't shift in the housings... it hurt to drop the coin but I decided that my nav lights aren't the place where I want to scrimp......

Honestly I couldn't care less what the coast guard or any LEO thinks I plan to be seen... I don't want anyone to have any doubt whatsoever where I am and where I'm headed

BTW my new 3 mile led's are so bright I can actually see junk floating in the water with them

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Change a Nav light bulb

BTW my new 3 mile led's are so bright I can actually see junk floating in the water with them

Have links to what you purchased for your boat?

I too have experimented with LED bulbs for my car but didn't like the too white of light but for nav lights, I would think they are fine.