Good replacement for these &#$&*^ fluorescent cabin lights?

[SBH2OMan]

Has anyone found a good "drop in" replacement for these fussy fluorescent lights inside the berth on my '93 2320? They only light up after fiddling with them, then just about the time I think they are working perfect, they both suddenly quit.

Haven't needed them yet, but would like to find the proper (modern) replacement. Maybe an LED that fits in the same sized housing?

 

[Megabyte]

Those are the only lights on the boat that I haven't replaced with LED lights.
Mine rarely get used, and they still work perfectly.

If the lights go out together, I would suspect some corrosion at the switch connection.
Have you looked there?
If the wires on those lights have corrosion on them, others on those switches might have the same issue.

 

[SBH2OMan]

Nope. Problem seems to be with the lights themselves. I can fiddle with one and it works then the other will quit, etc. Seems like either intermittent connection or bulb not fitting, but I sprayed them with de-Ox and cleaned the terminals and it didn't help.

 

[Megabyte]

Not sure what the factory is putting in the new boats these days, but it might be worth a trip to your local dealer to see.
At that point you can either decide to go with replacements, or aftermarket LED's. Maybe LED rope lighting?
http://www.boemarine.com/category/deab1 ... ope-lights

 

[Brent]

I dont have bulbs. Anyone have the part #? Can they be found at ACE Hardware or need to be ordered? West Marine did not have them in the store. Is the voltage 6V or 12V?

 

[TimC2520]

My 1999's still work, but the plastic cover on one is completely "yellowed".
I may look into these as one of my "next winter projects".


http://store.marinebeam.com/led-fluorescent.html

 

[Brent]

Thanks

I installed GE F8T5 ( 8 watts # 98112) and both lights work.

Anyone know a source for the covers?

 

[Porkchunker]

My 1999's still work, but the plastic cover on one is completely "yellowed".
I may look into these as one of my "next winter projects".


http://store.marinebeam.com/led-fluorescent.html

I would not replace the OEM fluorescent tubes with LED tubes...I'd replace the entire assembly. The problems almost always start at the two prongs sticking out of the tubes...that is why you have to fiddle with them to get them to work. You are essentially rubbing the corrosion off the connection points. Best bet would be to replace the entire assembly with LED and be done with connections that can corrode.

 

[Megabyte]

Best bet would be to replace the entire assembly with LED and be done with connections that can corrode.

When the time comes for mine, that is how I will go.
So far, the OEM lights are working fine, tho I do not use them much. Couple times a year maybe?
Those cabin lights are the only ones on my ride that I have not swapped for LED (yet).