1994 sundancer cabin lights go off and on randomly

[MichaelTG]

If they all go off then you need to pull the light fixture which is close to the switch. The ground and + wire daisy chains from one fixture to another. If they are all going out then you should find a bad connection at the first fixture.....either ground or +. If you don't find a problem.....run a + 12volt jumper to the fixture directly and report back.

alright will do! Any suggestion on how to remove the fixture? I dont see any screws.

 

[PlayDate]

No screws.....it pulls down (interference fit)....pain in the ass especially when they have been stuck up there for 25+ years. Just be careful and use a 1" plastic drywall knife to work your way around the trim ring.....good time to change the bulbs.


For reference...

 

[MichaelTG]

So I went ahead and replaced all the lights with LEDs and it seems to have fixed the problem! It looks like the previous owner had put 912 incandescent bulbs in the fixtures and they were getting REALLY hot. I think that the load and heat from these were to much. I got 192 led bulbs and had them running for hours without any issues! Now im off to track down a leak in the cabin.... I guess this is boat life!

 

[bobeast]

The circuit breaker at the helm just says "lights". I pulled it and cleaned the contacts but it is still having the issue. Do you think I should just replace the breaker?

Before replacing the breaker, turn it off and then temporarily jumper across it. If the lights stay on, the breaker is bad. If the lights go out, your problem is elsewhere.

 

[PlayDate]

So I went ahead and replaced all the lights with LEDs and it seems to have fixed the problem! It looks like the previous owner had put 912 incandescent bulbs in the fixtures and they were getting REALLY hot. I think that the load and heat from these were to much. I got 192 led bulbs and had them running for hours without any issues! Now im off to track down a leak in the cabin.... I guess this is boat life!

As I mentioned before the fixtures are crap. If you put the wrong bulb in them.....they get hot and the bulb holder loses contact with the bulb. Smacking it temporarily closes the circuit again and the bulb comes on. The smart play was to put in LEDs and that should solve the problem he had. I have seen several where the bulb melted the housing.