How To Deal With A Stuck/hard To Use Perko Boat Light?

[tcbass]

So the boat I have has two lights, a short bow light that is green and red and a long stern light. The long light goes in and out easily. The short bow light is extremely hard to get out once it's put in. I was wondering what to do to make it easier to pull out?

[scrutch]

This stuff...

http://www.skygeek.com/kano-labs-silikroil-penetrating-oil-10-oz-aerosol.html?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_content=kano-labs-silikroil-penetrating-oil-10-oz-aerosol&utm_campaign=froogle&gclid=CNzn_anLm8ACFc1_MgodwGgAHA

[Scott F]

Boat lights are made of aluminum and don't rust but they can corrode. I would take some emery cloth and polish up the base of the light pole. Then I'd take some and wrap it around something round, smaller that the inside of the socket, and polish that up too. That should open up the socket so the pole will fit easier.

There are two pins in the bottom of the socket that may have corrosion on them too. These will be hard to clean. You may be able to scrape the with a thin screw driver but the easier thing to do may be to just buy a new socket. They aren't hard to change and not very expensive.

[WIGuide]

Which type of base/light combo is it? Is it the style that just has two alignment screws that fit into the channel and when properly seated the the cover for the opening of turns the full 180* to lock it down? Or is it the newer type that has a rubber cap on the base and a black sleeved locking collar around the shaft of the light? 

[tcbass]

Which type of base/light combo is it? Is it the style that just has two alignment screws that fit into the channel and when properly seated the the cover for the opening of turns the full 180* to lock it down? Or is it the newer type that has a rubber cap on the base and a black sleeved locking collar around the shaft of the light?

The newer kind. Boats a 2000.

[WIGuide]

Is it hard to pull out if the collar is not in and you push the light all the way down?

[tcbass]

Is it hard to pull out if the collar is not in and you push the light all the way down?

I'll have to try that.

[WIGuide]

If it's not then just be sure you're twisting the collar as you pull up to remove the collar and then remove the light.

[Fishing Rhino]

Dielectric grease is your friend.  Use it generously on both the male and female connectors.  Also, use it on all the light bulbs.  It will make replacing them a breeze.

 

I'm guessing that your plastic "collar" is eccentric (out of round).  They are made this way to secure the light pole into the socket. 

 

The light pole can be a bear to remove if you do not get the collar in the fully released position. 

[tcbass]

Dielectric grease is your friend.  Use it generously on both the male and female connectors.  Also, use it on all the light bulbs.  It will make replacing them a breeze.

 

I'm guessing that your plastic "collar" is eccentric (out of round).  They are made this way to secure the light pole into the socket. 

 

The light pole can be a bear to remove if you do not get the collar in the fully released position. 

 

 

 

 

It definitely could be this. I'll look at it tonite.

[tcbass]

Dielectric grease is your friend.  Use it generously on both the male and female connectors.  Also, use it on all the light bulbs.  It will make replacing them a breeze.

 

I'm guessing that your plastic "collar" is eccentric (out of round).  They are made this way to secure the light pole into the socket. 

 

The light pole can be a bear to remove if you do not get the collar in the fully released position. 

 

 

 

 

You're right. I tried it and it goes in and out fine without the collar. The collar makes it too tight.

 

 

 

 

Could I just and down the plastic collar?

[Fishing Rhino]

You're right. I tried it and it goes in and out fine without the collar. The collar makes it too tight.

 

 

 

 

Could I just and down the plastic collar?

 

Do you mean sand down the plastic collar?  If so, the answer is no.  When you have the pole inserted, turn the plastic collar until it gets in a position where it will slide all the way down easily.  The collar is not threaded.  As you turn the collar, it will make the assembly bind the pole to hold it in place.

 

Turn the collar the opposite way to release the bind.  It doesn't matter which way you turn the collar to make it tight.  But, you will need to turn the collar in the opposite direction to release it.

 

If you sand the collar down, it will not be able to bind the pole in place.

 

For me, to keep it simple, I turn the collar clockwise to make it bind.  To release the pole, turn the collar counter clockwise.  You do not need to put a lot of pressure twisting the collar.  Just make it good and snug.  Do not tighten it as hard as you can, or it may be difficult to release.

[Fishing Rhino]

Your pole should look like the second from the left.

 

 

If you look at the collar from the plug end of the pole, you will see that the hole in the collar is not centered.  It is slightly offset.  The hole in the mount on the boat for the collar is also slightly offset from the hole for the pole.  When the pole is inserted, rotate the collar until it easily drops into place.  Then, when you turn the collar, it puts pressure on the assembly which keeps the pole in place.  There is a groove in the hole for the pole.  The pin on the side of the pole must line up with the groove when you install the light assembly into the receiver.  That lines up the electrical connections on the pole and the receiver. 

 

Keep the collar out of the way until the pole is fully inserted.  Then slide the collar down and turn until it can freely drop into place in the receiver.  Then, twist the collar until it is snug. It will take less than half a turn to lock the pole in place, maybe less than a quarter of a turn.. 

 

Remember to twist the collar in the opposite direction when you want to remove the light.