In 343, how to replace bulb in switchable ceiling light

DHA

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Sep 8, 2014
1
Beneteau 343 Solomons, MD
In my 2007 B343 I have halogen ceiling lights. In the main saloon they are turned on by bulkhead switches. I know how to open them and I have just replaced all the halogen bulbs with 9 light LED and I have just about tripled the lighting and use less energy. My first mate always complained that she couldn't work in the galley for lack of light.

Now I want to do the same for the switchable lights in the head and the fore and aft cabins but I cannot figure out how to open the fixture? It must be easy but I don't want to break anything.

Incidentally, I have replaced several of the reading lights that are a piece of junk where two of the switches failed and Beneteau no longer carries them, admitting that they are junk! Most of the possible replacements cost well over $100; however, I found a great LED solution at CampingWorld and the screw placement is identical! See:
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/brushed-nickel-led-cluster-reading-light/57499
 
Feb 10, 2015
11
Beneteau 343 Vancouver
Removing switchable light covers

In my 2007 B343 I have halogen ceiling lights. In the main saloon they are turned on by bulkhead switches. I know how to open them and I have just replaced all the halogen bulbs with 9 light LED and I have just about tripled the lighting and use less energy. My first mate always complained that she couldn't work in the galley for lack of light.

Now I want to do the same for the switchable lights in the head and the fore and aft cabins but I cannot figure out how to open the fixture? It must be easy but I don't want to break anything.

Incidentally, I have replaced several of the reading lights that are a piece of junk where two of the switches failed and Beneteau no longer carries them, admitting that they are junk! Most of the possible replacements cost well over $100; however, I found a great LED solution at CampingWorld and the screw placement is identical! See:
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/brushed-nickel-led-cluster-reading-light/57499
On our 2008 343, the covers can be gently pried loose using your fingernails, but be careful, because on the first one I did the glass lens fell out and broke! Anyone know where I can get a replacement lens?
 
Feb 10, 2015
11
Beneteau 343 Vancouver
I used Cruiser LED 6 LED G4 Side Pin Warm White bulbs that I got locally [http://www.cruiserled.ca/6-LED-G4-Side-Pin-Warm-White]. They were suspiciously cheap at $10 each. The trick was to find a bulb with a small enough diameter and a flat enough profile to fit into the fixture. I also had to shorten the pins. They work just fine so far. At 70 lumens, they are slightly brighter than the Osram bulbs they replaced, and they use 1 watt instead of 5.
 
May 7, 2014
135
Beneteau 390 Tiburon
In my 2007 B343 I have halogen ceiling lights. In the main saloon they are turned on by bulkhead switches. I know how to open them and I have just replaced all the halogen bulbs with 9 light LED and I have just about tripled the lighting and use less energy. My first mate always complained that she couldn't work in the galley for lack of light. Now I want to do the same for the switchable lights in the head and the fore and aft cabins but I cannot figure out how to open the fixture? It must be easy but I don't want to break anything. Incidentally, I have replaced several of the reading lights that are a piece of junk where two of the switches failed and Beneteau no longer carries them, admitting that they are junk! Most of the possible replacements cost well over $100; however, I found a great LED solution at CampingWorld and the screw placement is identical! See: http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/brushed-nickel-led-cluster-reading-light/57499
I just replaced all my cabin and reading lights, looking to replace the head and galley lights next.