Perko Lense Help...with Pics!

[Craigalan]

CSR,

I had some help earlier trying to find the right replacement lense, but it is not an easy task to ID the exact lense I need. Need a starboard foredeck Nav light lense. 2000 270DA. See pics...

 

[gerryb]

Why does it have to be the same unit? What about a nice, new stainless steel light instead?

 

[Skuza]

I switched to the stainless-never worry about them getting dirty.

 

[The Bill Collector]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001O0DL4W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

you need to sh** can those and go SS with led......

 

[Craigalan]

I love the SS look. What goes into a total replacement? Sealing, wiring...etc? Im not all that handy with electrical. Might be easier to just pop in a new lense. But, I would like to consider a SS swap out.

 

[gerryb]

You should buy two new SS LED lights from amazon or BOE.

To swap them out, unscrew the existing light. I see one of the screws in your picture. The other screw is probably in the back of the unit.
You should see two wires going down into the boat. Pull them out and you should come to spade connectors for both wires.
Disconnect at the spade.
Now, cut the spade end from both wires on the light. Give yourself at least 6 inches of wire above the spade connector.

You'll need to borrow or buy a couple of butt connectors (heat shrink types preferred) to connect the spade bit/wire piece to the wire that is on the new light. The new light will have bare wire with no connectors.

You can also buy the spade connector and solder that onto the wire but I find that the butt connectors are easier to find than the shielded spade connectors that searay typically uses for their electrical connections.

If you can find someone at the marina who is somewhat handy, they can walk you through it and show you what goes where.

Very simple job - about the easiest thing you can upgrade on a boat.

Please post a picture of those crappy existing lights sitting on the top of your trashcan (to prove they have indeed been sh*t canned!) as well as a pic of the new lights you've installed!

 

[The Bill Collector]

You should buy two new SS LED lights from amazon or BOE.

To swap them out, unscrew the existing light. I see one of the screws in your picture. The other screw is probably in the back of the unit.
You should see two wires going down into the boat. Pull them out and you should come to spade connectors for both wires.
Disconnect at the spade.
Now, cut the spade end from both wires on the light. Give yourself at least 6 inches of wire above the spade connector.

You'll need to borrow or buy a couple of butt connectors (heat shrink types preferred) to connect the spade bit/wire piece to the wire that is on the new light. The new light will have bare wire with no connectors.

You can also buy the spade connector and solder that onto the wire but I find that the butt connectors are easier to find than the shielded spade connectors that searay typically uses for their electrical connections.

If you can find someone at the marina who is somewhat handy, they can walk you through it and show you what goes where.

Very simple job - about the easiest thing you can upgrade on a boat.

Please post a picture of those crappy existing lights sitting on the top of your trashcan (to prove they have indeed been sh*t canned!) as well as a pic of the new lights you've installed!

+1 I just did it, this past year.... maybe 2 hours with a beer break and you love the new look !!!! (and LED wtf ??)

 

[The Bill Collector]

 

[Mike Blake]

I switched to the stainless-never worry about them getting dirty.

Wrong! it will get dirty just like that old one if you let it.

 

[dvx216]

Damn you guys now I went to get those nav lights add them to the list. Craigalan this is a great little project to get your feet wet with.We all will be here to help if you run into a road block.

 

[dpmulvey]

The lens is Perko part # Green Lens Only: 0273DPGLNS

Agree with the others though. Go with the Atwood LED's 2NM with tattletales and be done with it. Cheap at $60. Plus by the time you finish messing with the gaskets etc, you may be ahead of the game

 

[Craigalan]

Oh, Im totally on board. Already ordered both SS lights. Odd, the Port light was 10.00 more, and both came from same vendor. Any idea why?

 

[estoltz]

Oh, Im totally on board. Already ordered both SS lights. Odd, the Port light was 10.00 more, and both came from same vendor. Any idea why?

It can only be made by left-handed workers....I'll see myself out.

 

[Craigalan]

So, because of this thread, I have been encouraged to step up my DIY skills and replace the lights. Some good instructions from GerryB. Since we are on the topic of DIY, I also want to plunk 2 stainless rod holders into the gunnels...one on each side. This is a little more serious with the drilling. Who is DIY'ing and who is hiring this one out?