How the heck do I open my light casing?

[oceansbreeze]

I spent an hour on this already, and since I'm not going to be boating for another 2 weeks or so due to work, I figure, why break it, let's ask you guys! I took some photos.

At first I thought if I removed 2 bolts that suspend the trailer plate, it would come off. First bolt snapped off. Second bolt just spins and I can't reach the other side to put a wrench on it......

So I proceeded to remove the lighs assembly as seen in photos, via 2 bolts holding it to the frame. You can see where it bolted in one of the photos...
This unit was bolted via 2 bolts to the trailer frame.

After removing this, I am still stumped. You'd think I could snap the front part of the red lense off? It has a crack, and the one side appears to have little slots for a flathead screw driver, but it won't budge....

I need to get in, cause one bulb is definitely shot. Any tips? Preferably without breaking it! Also, now I'm gonna have to get the thing off completely to replace the broken bolt for the plate too.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: How the heck do I open my light casing?

those look like sealed submersible lights. they dont open, you replace them.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: How the heck do I open my light casing?

I didnt see the pics with the hole in the back...LOL
I still think you have to replace them tho.

New ones are about 30 bucks at Harbor freight.

 

[jusfloatin]

Re: How the heck do I open my light casing?

I would bet that there are chemicaly welded together ( sealed) and yes the hole is to let water drain out.
I am not good at explaining but it is kinda works on the same thing as a if you were to flip a pail upside down into water. The air inside the pail keeps it from filling up.

Yes just replace them and most kits come complete with everything from the lights to the flat plug. Colored wires so as long as you are not color blind your wife will think you are an electrician. LOL

 

[ndindy]

Re: How the heck do I open my light casing?

I'd use a speed wrench. And then replace them.

 

[oceansbreeze]

Re: How the heck do I open my light casing?

so basically, with a set of lights like this, if one bulb goes (as is the case) the general thing to do is replace everything? So I gotta find lights in the same width/height as these and run the wires through tube and so on? I have running lights on the back/centre of trailer and on the sides as well. I didn't think they were submersible (cause of the big hole under the lenses) and I've always unplugged before backing into the ramp....

 

[jusfloatin]

Re: How the heck do I open my light casing?

so basically, with a set of lights like this, if one bulb goes (as is the case) the general thing to do is replace everything? So I gotta find lights in the same width/height as these and run the wires through tube and so on? I have running lights on the back/centre of trailer and on the sides as well. I didn't think they were submersible (cause of the big hole under the lenses) and I've always unplugged before backing into the ramp....

No you would not have to change everything but the problem you will have is buying a single light assembly that matches the ones you have.
You can just cut the wires and splice them to any assembly if you are not fussy.

It just you can buy a complete submersible kit for 30.00

You did not need to unplug the trailer when load/unload as those ones you have were/was a submersible type.

 

[Fishing56]

Re: How the heck do I open my light casing?

Just replaced my original trailer lights just like these with identical fitting led's from Harbor Freight for 39.99. And yes the lights are sealed and non replaceable. The idea is that water can get into the lens, but not the light assembly. I figure the led's will outlast my trailer and boat. Plus they are much brighter. I soldered the leads just past all the old crimp-ons and used heat shrink tubing to seal.

Fishing56