- Nov 26, 2006
- 7,628
- Boat Info
- 2008 44 Sedan Bridge
- Engines
- Cummins QSC-500's
Straight Drives
I'm continuing this thread here because the original thread title no longer matched the direction I've been taking the thread: http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6462&highlight=amps
I replaced the port side swim platform light yesterday. It should have been easy. It wasn't. The holes didn't match the old light's holes. They are the same company, same size, very similar shape, same bulb... They have apparently either chosen a new manufacturer or have updated the design of the lights. The old one was a round lens angle-mounted to a base that ended up oval. The new base is round.
My first task was to fish the wires through the hole. I set the light on the dock, started the wires in the hole, then went into the ER to pull them through. I pulled them through 80% of the way, then they got really tight. After quite some time and effort, I pulled them out to re-drill the hole. The dealer had drilled it immediately next to the swim platform structural support inside, directly under an electrical box. I had to remove the box (2 broken SS screws & 5 scraped knuckles). Then I re-drilled from inside since the boat is in the water. I would have had to hold the drill under water to go from the outside. Since it was next to a barrier, it was pretty hard.
After drilling the hole out, I re-fished the wire. To mount the light with mis-matched holes, I moved 2 holes on the light slightly. I didn't want to break the seal on the new light. I used two screws on opposite sides of the light instead of the standard (radical over-kill) 6 SS screws. I also plugged the remaining four with 5200. I filled the wire-hole voids with 5200.
When I pull the boat out next time, I'll take the light down, fiberglass the old holes, drill 4 new ones, and mount it properly. There won't be any problems in the mean time. It's up there really, really securely, and all holes are filled. The light works well. What a pain.
Barnegat lights should not have changed the hole pattern on a product with known leak problems. Change the product, but leave the pattern so we can change out the old with the new!
I replaced the port side swim platform light yesterday. It should have been easy. It wasn't. The holes didn't match the old light's holes. They are the same company, same size, very similar shape, same bulb... They have apparently either chosen a new manufacturer or have updated the design of the lights. The old one was a round lens angle-mounted to a base that ended up oval. The new base is round.
My first task was to fish the wires through the hole. I set the light on the dock, started the wires in the hole, then went into the ER to pull them through. I pulled them through 80% of the way, then they got really tight. After quite some time and effort, I pulled them out to re-drill the hole. The dealer had drilled it immediately next to the swim platform structural support inside, directly under an electrical box. I had to remove the box (2 broken SS screws & 5 scraped knuckles). Then I re-drilled from inside since the boat is in the water. I would have had to hold the drill under water to go from the outside. Since it was next to a barrier, it was pretty hard.
After drilling the hole out, I re-fished the wire. To mount the light with mis-matched holes, I moved 2 holes on the light slightly. I didn't want to break the seal on the new light. I used two screws on opposite sides of the light instead of the standard (radical over-kill) 6 SS screws. I also plugged the remaining four with 5200. I filled the wire-hole voids with 5200.
When I pull the boat out next time, I'll take the light down, fiberglass the old holes, drill 4 new ones, and mount it properly. There won't be any problems in the mean time. It's up there really, really securely, and all holes are filled. The light works well. What a pain.
Barnegat lights should not have changed the hole pattern on a product with known leak problems. Change the product, but leave the pattern so we can change out the old with the new!
