Thru-Hull lights on 2007 40DA

R

Redhook98

Member
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Aug 28, 2008
937
Colonial Beach, VA
Boat Info
2007 Sundancer 40
Engines
Cummins QSB 380
I noticed when buying my boat back in September that the outside housings for the factory installed SV20 lights had turned pinkish when I examined them out of the water. Also noted they were not tied into the grounding system. They also appear not to work right now, but that is little concern right now.

If not replaced, are these going to fail somehow and cause a leak? There is no stress on these, and they were installed from the factory with 5200 (according to the install manual). I am unfamiliar with these lights and have always had surface-mount before.

I am tying it into the ground plane, but do not wish to replace yet. Anyone with experience with these? Thanks!
 

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It's one of the many "patina" colors that can show up as the bronze protects itself. It won't cause any damage, although you can remove it if you want. It will likely come back.

Hopefully they weren't installed with 5200...
 
If the lenses are good, and you just want to switch to LED they're pretty easy to do from the inside. I used the Sea Vision retrofit.
 
Just worried that they may be too "dezincified". What did the retro-fit kits run you? The lenses seem OK. Will need a better cleaning up though.

The manual that came with the boat states to install with plenty of 5200. Boy I hope they cut corners there and used at least 4200 instead. Otherwise it could suck to replace.
 
Redhook98 said:
Just worried that they may be too "dezincified". What did the retro-fit kits run you? The lenses seem OK. Will need a better cleaning up though.]

If I remember correctly they were around $400 each.
Click to expand...
 
I recently cleaned up some brass and bronze items with ketchup. I was kinda amazed at how well it took off the patina (in this case it was the more typical greenish stuff).
 
Get a picture of the lights from the inside...they look very similar to those I had installed in my boat, made by Aqualights and maybe something similar to this --> https://www.aqualights.us/product-page/al90

If that is what you have, they are serviceable with new seals, lenses and new LED lights. I had mine refurbished last year and upgraded to LED's... very happy with them.

Even if they are installed with 5200, I can tell you they are easily removed with a little heat, and they will slide out like they were greased with butter.
 
dtfeld said:
Get a picture of the lights from the inside...they look very similar to those I had installed in my boat, made by Aqualights and maybe something similar to this --> https://www.aqualights.us/product-page/al90

If that is what you have, they are serviceable with new seals, lenses and new LED lights. I had mine refurbished last year and upgraded to LED's... very happy with them.

Even if they are installed with 5200, I can tell you they are easily removed with a little heat, and they will slide out like they were greased with butter.
Click to expand...



Similar, but not quite. Got hold of Sea Vision. New SV-20 lights (exact replacement) in blue LED and bronze are $950 each. They can rebuild, but he was skeptical of the dezincification (pink and goes "thud") and glass (cloudy). The retro-kits are now $750 each. So for an extra $400, I can be sure they are both good. Not a boat I want to go cheap on for $400 anyway.

Still looking at options though! All good info. Thank you all!
 
Lazy Daze said:
I recently cleaned up some brass and bronze items with ketchup. I was kinda amazed at how well it took off the patina (in this case it was the more typical greenish stuff).
Click to expand...


Try Koolaid in the small cheap packs (the ones with no sugar added). Mix a couple of those in water (without the sugar obviously) and soak a few hours. Its just Ascorbic Acid. If you soak in Cherry, you will get a slight reddish hue. Lemonade gives you the closest to true bronze or brass though. Blueberry or grape gives them a funky but cool look. Just a slight tinge though. :) Used this on brass and bronze in the Navy.
 
Redhook98 said:
Try Koolaid in the small cheap packs (the ones with no sugar added). Mix a couple of those in water (without the sugar obviously) and soak a few hours. Its just Ascorbic Acid. If you soak in Cherry, you will get a slight reddish hue. Lemonade gives you the closest to true bronze or brass though. Blueberry or grade gives them a funky but cool look. Just a slight tinge though. :) Used this on brass and bronze in the Navy.
Click to expand...
I'll put that in my mental toolbox - thanks!

I like that I can also do a custom tint job :)
 
Redhook98 said:
Similar, but not quite. Got hold of Sea Vision. New SV-20 lights (exact replacement) in blue LED and bronze are $950 each. They can rebuild, but he was skeptical of the dezincification (pink and goes "thud") and glass (cloudy). The retro-kits are now $750 each. So for an extra $400, I can be sure they are both good. Not a boat I want to go cheap on for $400 anyway.

Still looking at options though! All good info. Thank you all!
Click to expand...

Call Aqualights anyway. I believe they refurbish all makes of these light. I will say that the LED units from SV look much more substantial/well built. Mine were $500/light total x 4 = $2k. I did the install myself and yes I used 5200!
 
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