Docking Light Bulb Replacement

[garyc2]

Hello, new to forum. Have owned my 2000 246 for approx. 15 yrs. Doing some maintenance. Searched forum for my specific application but came up empty. I have the 2000 version docking lights, with white plastic housing and bezel. I have removed the assembly from the boat from the outside, unplugged the wiring harness, and have it on bench. Cannot find a way to access inside of housing to change bulb. Don't want to break the housing or bezel if I can avoid it. Has anyone changes these bulbs? Thank you.

Assuming I get into the housing, if there are better/more capable bulbs to replace with, would love to know that. Right now the original bulbs are GE F52 Fog bulbs. Al least that's what's visible on outside of glass bulb lens....

[AsLan7]

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Hello Gc2.

Welcome to the Cobaltchat forum. So glad you found us!

I believe others on the forum have changed out this light. They will chime in shortly.

I will say it’s worth the easy LED bulb upgrade once you can access your old bulbs. They run so much cooler and very low draw.

Any pics of your Cobalt. We love them here.

Again welcome aboard mate!

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[CobaltRick]

I’m sure Aslan meant LED bulb above..

[SAB220]

close to OEM dock cansters: Innovative lighting

Not sure about High intensity bulbs

[Big Block Power]

The easiest way is to break the bulb to get it out. Tunno I think just changed his last month.

[akorcovelos]

Then soak the housing in hot water before installing the new bulbs.

[AsLan7]

I’m sure Aslan meant LED bulb above..

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Wat' U talkin' bout Willis....

Thanks Cr.

[garyc2]

The easiest way is to break the bulb to get it out. Tunno I think just changed his last month.

So breakig the bulb is not a problem, but..

looking at the plastic ring around the bulb im not certain the bulb diameter will fit in/out through the ring. Have you or someone you know actually done this?

Do you happen to know what the part number or ID is of the replacement bulb for this installation in a 2000 246?

Thanks very much.

[Big Block Power]

The easiest way is to break the bulb to get it out. Tunno I think just changed his last month.

So breakig the bulb is not a problem, but..

looking at the plastic ring around the bulb im not certain the bulb diameter will fit in/out through the ring. Have you or someone you know actually done this?

Do you happen to know what the part number or ID is of the replacement bulb for this installation in a 2000 246?

Thanks very much.

I'm find tunos thread.
viewtopic.php?t=3696

[garyc2]

The easiest way is to break the bulb to get it out. Tunno I think just changed his last month.

So breakig the bulb is not a problem, but..

looking at the plastic ring around the bulb im not certain the bulb diameter will fit in/out through the ring. Have you or someone you know actually done this?

Do you happen to know what the part number or ID is of the replacement bulb for this installation in a 2000 246?

Thanks very much.

I'm find tunos thread.
viewtopic.php?t=3696

OK, Thank you. Very helpful. My housing, although plastic like the first picture in the attached thread, is different for some reason. Im not sure what I'll do, but the boiling water thing sounds easy, and I can certainly break the bulb out. Just not sure which bulb to put back in place as all the housings in the thread are different than mine, and Im assuming the bulbs may be different also. Wish I could retrofit the SS housings, that would be great, but they look different size for cutout hole in the hull. I think Ill also try talking to Cobalt on Monday, see what I get. I know theyre shut down at the moment. Thanks again.

[Big Block Power]

Yes the stainless ones are diff. Do you have a picture of your lights. Finding the bulb is the easy part. Let's break crap. It's fun.

[garyc2]

dock light 1.jpg

dock light 2.jpg

dock light 3.jpg

dock light 4.jpg

OK, so I have new info. Ill post it here in case someone else can benefit. My info is specific to my boat, a 2000 246, equipped from Cobalt with the docking lights.

The dock/anchor lights on my boat are a pair of white plastic housings. After talking to the Cobalt customer service rep today (very helpful guy) was able to sort this out. First, the main housing itself does NOT have to be removed from boat, although mine was already out so I went from there. Inside the outer white housing is another swiveling housing, which is a sealed unit and contains the bulb and white plastic surround, with wires out the back. Imagine an eyeball, inside the eye socket. You remove this inner housing, or eyeball, by backing out a small allen-head set screw meant to lock the inner housing in place at the angle desired. Mine needed a bit of persuasion with a rubber mallet tapping on the edge of the inner eyeball housing, or a rap on the back of the outer housing. Either way. It then loosened right up. Then pivot the inner housing around, rotating it, and it will slide out of the outer housing. The inner sealed unit housing with the bulb now unplugs from the wiring inside the outer housing and is free. This inner eyeball housing with the bulb must be replaced as a unit. The manufacturer is Sierra, and part number 95002. They are about $120 each, depending on where you find them on-line.

Feel free to break the bulb if you'd like, but it will not help, or get you any closer to replacing the docking light. The bulb diameter is larger than the eyeball housing opening by a bit, hence the sealed-unit thing.

[AsLan7]

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Nice documentation GC2...thank you for uploading the pics too!

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[Big Block Power]

Cool thanks. Can't say anyone here replaced a eye light?

[Jays_Truck]

I just replaced mine with par36 led lights from Amazon. I used a hand clamp to compress the side with the wires sticking out in several places until the seam started opening up. I then slid a #1 flathead screwdriver in from the back to the front and removed the clamp then worked the screwdriver around the seam until it opened up.

20200512_201739.jpg

20200512_201716.jpg

To glue them back together I am trying two approaches. One I just used regular pvc glue and the other I'm using silicone. The pvc glue is good to go in a hour while I'm waiting for the silicone to dry (cure) over night.

The original bulbs in mine were GE 4519 marine.