Perko Universal Pole Light

[cyc boater]

I purchased a Perko Universal Pole light to replace my original transom light. The base is a two pin Perko. My problem, the pole light does not set properly into the base. When pushed in I can turn the pole light which indicates it is not set in the pins and of course it does not work. Did Perko recently change the size of there pins? What am I missing here:huh:? It doesn't look like the pins are bent. Any suggestions?
Thanks

 

[jason78]

I purchased a Perko Universal Pole light to replace my original transom light. The base is a two pin Perko. My problem, the pole light does not set properly into the base. When pushed in I can turn the pole light which indicates it is not set in the pins and of course it does not work. Did Perko recently change the size of there pins? What am I missing here:huh:? It doesn't look like the pins are bent. Any suggestions?
Thanks

I had a similiar light I had purchased for my last boat. I seem to recall there was a small screw in the pole near the base that had to be removed to allow the pole to fully slide in and seat in a Perko base. I think I moved it up the pole to another pre-drilled hole or removed one screw and there was another to keep the plastic ring from falling off. It was a small Pan Head Phillips screw.

 

[Nehalennia]

The screw is acting as a key to align the pole in the base's slot properly.

 

[jason78]

The screw is acting as a key to align the pole in the base's slot properly.

Yes, but the position of the screw as it was installed when I removed the new pole from the package prevented the pole from sliding all the way in the socket base just as cyc described. Like I said, it has been a while but I distinctly remember the screw was the problem. I don't know if there was one on each side and I removed one and left the other or just moved one up a little.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Yes, but the position of the screw as it was installed when I removed the new pole from the package prevented the pole from sliding all the way in the socket base just as cyc described. Like I said, it has been a while but I distinctly remember the screw was the problem. I don't know if there was one on each side and I removed one and left the other or just moved one up a little.

There are two screws on the same side - about an inch or so apart - one directly above the other. Jason, I think you're right about removing the lower one.

 

[cyc boater]

There are two screws on the same side - about an inch or so apart - one directly above the other. Jason, I think you're right about removing the lower one.

Thanks for the replies. There are two screw holes on the same side and I did place the screw in the upper hole. The pole will not go far enough down to cover the screw. Something is holding it back. I still think the pins are too large for as mentioned I can turn the pole in an attempt to get the pins to catch but they will not. It just doesn't make sense, they are both Perko and the pole is advertised as "Universal". I guess I won't go out after dark!

 

[Lazy Daze]

Pins shouldn't be any different - I've never come across that. You removed the lower screw and it won't go in? Like Todd mentioned, are you fitting the screw into the keyway? What happens if you remove both screws? Is there any leftover manufacturing material in the holes?