After Nav lights

[Fab1]

Hi guys last time out my starboard light was flashing intermittently and I thought either its a bad connection or water has got in causing a short.

Opened it up and found the resister fried on one bank due to water ingress past the crappy seal.

I'm after a decent brand that I can be pm'd with and where to buy in sydney or on the net.

Cheers.

[Ric001]

Have you considered just replacing the resistor. Significantly cheaper than a new light fitting. As you can read the resistor value in the other bank it should be a no brainer to get a replacement at the only remaining retail electrical store now that DSE is gone.

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Edited May 29, 2016 by Ric001

[Fab1]

Have you considered just replacing the resistor. Significantly cheaper than a new light fitting. As you can read the resistor value in the other bank it should be a no brainer to get a replacement at the only remaining retail electrical store now that DSE is gone.

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That's not a bad idea as I might have one here.When I get some free time I'll see what I can do but just don't tell scratchie that I'm really busy.lol,

[Ric001]

Just to be on the safe side make sure you go up in the pwr rating especially as the previous on does look a bit crispy. Replace both as a precaution. Whilst your at it the diode my need to be looked at as the heat may have broken it down a bit.

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[Greyfox]

And replace that crappy seal as well.

[Fab1]

Thanks for everyone's input.2 days after I told my wife I need new nav lights I came home from work to this.She really is a keeper.

Anyway,I don't just like replacing things not knowing why they failed and dug a little further into determining what caused the old ones Demise.

Upon further inspection and disassembly it became obvious to me that the starboard light didn't have a gasket that the port one had causing water ingress into the circuitry which would of been a manufacturing fault which wasn't picked up during manufacture.

Anyway,id like to share a few tips for those contemplating installing anything electrical on a boat when it comes to wiring them in.

The first is to always install grommets after drilling your holes to prevent chaffing of the insulation leading to a short circuit from bare wires rubbing on the hull.

At the very least countersink your holes to remove the burr and prevent chaffing using a countersink bit,a drill bit spun in reverse or simply a Phillips head screwdriver with a larger diameter than the hole spun back and forth a few times to achieve the same result.

I hate those terminal connections with a vengeance and will solder everything where possible as it is simply the next best thing to an un cut wire and will double heat shrink everything.

I also opened and re did the waterproofing on the lights using sikaflex and made my own gaskets for them using sheet rubber so that they will not leak again which is not shown on the following photos.

Do these simple things and you will have a neat long lasting job.

Cheers.

Now if this lousy weather goes I can go night fishing again.

[locodave]

Awesome. Same lights? Didnt have to make new holes right?

[Fab1]

Awesome. Same lights? Didnt have to make new holes right?

I thought they where exactly the same when I first glanced at them but they aren't.My first set were bargain basement ones and these are a lot better made and sealed.

The beauty is even though they are a size larger they use the same holes and are still protected behind the bow & rub rail on the mounting plate to avoid accidental breakage.

Like I said I opened them up and gave them extra waterproof treatment for good measure.

Lets see how they go know.