Need to Replace a Reading Light, or its Switch

[dkinzer]

One of the reading lights in the forward cabin of our 2007 41DS has a switch that is intermittent. I looked at the DigiKey and Mouser sites and couldn't find a panel mount rocker switch as thin as this one is. Eventually, I'll probably replace the lights with LED light but I'm not ready to do that yet.

Does someone have one of these sitting around that they'd be willing to sell? Or, does anyone have a tip about where to look for an item like this?

 

[Tater]

I am a day sailor and don't know much about larger boats. I do know a little about lighting.
If this light is 12 volts there is a bulb available for RV/marine use by FEIT Electric. Home Depot sells them. They are made like any A19 bulb and fit a standard socket. That said, finding a lamp should be easy. I use these at home for emergency lighting. They are on continuous and are equivalent to 60 watts.
Feit Electric 60-Watt Equivalent Warm White (3000K) A19 LED 12-Volt RV/Marine Light Bulb BPA800/830/LED-12 - The Home Depot

 

[jviss]

One of the reading lights in the forward cabin of our 2007 41DS has a switch that is intermittent. I looked at the DigiKey and Mouser sites and couldn't find a panel mount rocker switch as thin as this one is. Eventually, I'll probably replace the lights with LED light but I'm not ready to do that yet.

Does someone have one of these sitting around that they'd be willing to sell? Or, does anyone have a tip about where to look for an item like this?

View attachment 202936

You know, there's a possibility you can take that switch apart, clean the contacts, and put it back together. I've done this to similar switches. I'm surprised you can't find one on Mouser or Digikey, though.

 

[DayDreamer41]

Have a look here, this is the company who supplied the original fixtures

Boat & RV Reading Lights

Browse Our Collection of RV Reading Lights & Decorative Lights. ITC SHOP NOW's LED Boat & RV Reading Lamps Give the Perfect Lighting for Your Favorite Book. Upgrade Your RV & Boat Reading Lights Today!

itcshopnow.com

And another fantastic source of information right here on SBO

Index of /wp-content/export/Miscellaneous

I changed all the bulbs out to LED same fixture just different bulbs I believe it was under $30 to do the changeout

 

[kloudie1]

Sometimes, a squirt of silicone spray and exercising the switch can clean it up.

 

[jviss]

Sometimes, a squirt of silicone spray and exercising the switch can clean it up.

That's true. Personally, I have some really good, spray contact cleaners: Caig Labs DeoxIT Gold.

 

[dkinzer]

It turns out that the terminals were loose in the switch housing so they would move around, interrupting the circuit, when the switch was jostled. I have it working for now - I wrapped some masking tape around the end of the housing and drizzled in some epoxy to hold the terminals securely. I also cleaned the contacts while I had it apart and adjusted the spring leaf to apply more force to the contacts when closed. So far, it seems to be working.

 

[jviss]

It turns out that the terminals were loose in the switch housing so they would move around, interrupting the circuit, when the switch was jostled. I have it working for now - I wrapped some masking tape around the end of the housing and drizzled in some epoxy to hold the terminals securely. I also cleaned the contacts while I had it apart and adjusted the spring leaf to apply more force to the contacts when closed. So far, it seems to be working.

View attachment 202957

I love when that happens! Nice job.