Navigation Light Replacement, Wiring Access Help

[Loneranger]

I am getting ready to replace my current navigation lights with these:

http://www.attwoodmarine.com/store/product/3530

http://www.attwoodmarine.com/userfiles/store/product/files/1181/69425-a-led-sidelight-install.pdf

I believe current ones are Perko A16's. I will need to epoxy the holes from the original lights but they will be covered by the base of the new lights. The new lights are just a half inch smaller in length but just about the same size in width. I had a chance to remove the old starboard light. There is not a lot of excess wire. My original plan was to solder and shrink wrap the new lights on above deck and feed the wire back into the 1/4inch hole cut in the deck; however, I am not sure I have enough slack line to get this done easily.

Has anyone got to this area from inside the boat? I did not get a chance to look around the cabin yesterday to see how to access this area.

Thanks
John

 

[quality time]

I just installed these same lights this past weekend and had the same percieved problem with lack of wire. First off, I'll say these lights are pretty chincy, the SST cover plate is about as thick as a tin can... On the 380, there actually is plenty of wire under the deck - I went for broke and pulled some out. I later found that the factory had put a big blob of silicone on the bottom of the hole so that is why it felt as though there was no slack. I made my connections on top of the deck and you guessed it....couldn't get them back through the hole. In a last resort attempt I pulled a big interior panel that was only held on with one screw, that gave me easy access to the wiring. I then made the connections inside so I feel bad for the next owner if he tries to replace them!

 

[Loneranger]

Thanks for the info. I will look next time I am at the boat to see about access from the inside.

So are you happy with the light ?

I had also considered these but I think the footprint is too big:
http://gator49.hostgator.com/~zeromyst/ecatalog/product_info.php?cPath=213_51_89_97&products_id=270

I also found these but I have not looked closely at them:
http://www.innovativelight.com/led-sidelights---deck-mount_p_1471_11566_4.cfm

Anybody else have an opinion on replacement navigation lights. The current ones are plastic, severely UV damaged, the lenses are cracked, and almost everytime it rains they leak and blow out the bulb. I am tired of the crappy look but would tolerate them but I will not tolerate changing bulbs after every rain.

John

 

[quality time]

I wouldn't say I'm happy with them, I can tolerate them. Mainly because as you've found there are not many replacements with a similar footprint. I would have preferred Perko's but nothing was a direct replacement.

 

[Loneranger]

http://gator49.hostgator.com/~zeromyst/ecatalog/product_info.php?cPath=213_51_89_99&products_id=171

I think these lights are the same dimensions and mounting hole configuration as the original Perko's. They do have one available with a chrome plated bronze. They are not LED's however but they should be waterproof so the bulbs should last.

John