Mast head light

[mike]

My boat is an '87 H23 with the Z spar mast. I took my masthead light apart to check the bulbs and connections and found the thing full of water! The previous owner had made a cap for the fixture from wood and siliconed everything real tight.........however.........instead of keeping water out, it kept the water in! Sooooooooo..........should this fixture be water tight or should I bag the silicon to allow the water to pass through? There's so many edges on these lenses I'm afraid it will be impossible to make them water tight.

 

[Ray Bowles]

If it won't seal then it must drain! I have seen

swamp buggies that they run through, over and under water in Florida and they use to waterproof their electrical parts with Vasiline. It worked very well where heat was not present. I'm sure that now a days there is probably some "razoo" electrical waterproofing caulk that you could use AROUND THE BULB AND ITS CONNECTOR to waterproof it and not around the lens.Glueing or caulking the lens will eventually fail and then you must break the lens to repair the bulb.Check with "Radio Shack" or a marine electrical supply house for the sealant.Good luck.RayS/V Speedy

 

[Mark Kissel]

Waterproof.

Hi Mike,Trying to seal the fixture will only trap moisture (from humidity) inside. During the day the moisture evaporates only to condense at night when the temperature drops. This sets up the ideal condition for the development of corrosion.I would agree with Ray; use a good dielectric grease in and around the socket. This will protect the metal parts nicely. You can find the grease at any electronics parts store.Mark KisselKittiwake 98H240

 

[Ward]

Weep Hole

Mike,I had mine apart last year cause there was dust on the inside of the lens. I noticed when I had it apart there was a very small hole to allow moisture to escape.As for grease, The power industry makes an excellent dielectric grease for use onswitch gear. If you know someone in the industry it is great stuff.Ward