I have 2 of these lamps on the front of our Olympic Sprinter poptop, both work with a tap/thumps which to me indicates bad or corroded connection to the festoon bulb.
As I don't want to snap the plastic by levering in the wrong place I wonder if anyone else has had experience in removing the cover to access the bulb. I have tried gently levering the cover but to no avail. Like most 'snap-on' covers, unless you lever from the right spot they snap.
I have never been able to prise the covers off these sort of lights, without breaking them, as they seem to get brittle
I also find, that it is nearly impossible, to buy the exact same light
I measure the outside and either buy a similar one from a caravan or auto shop, or if I have the time, buy about 4 at a time LED type from eBay
KJB said
08:00 PM Feb 15, 2021
hako wrote:
I have 2 of these lamps on the front of our Olympic Sprinter poptop, both work with a tap/thumps which to me indicates bad or corroded connection to the festoon bulb.
As I don't want to snap the plastic by levering in the wrong place I wonder if anyone else has had experience in removing the cover to access the bulb. I have tried gently levering the cover but to no avail. Like most 'snap-on' covers, unless you lever from the right spot they snap.
Any help appreciated
If only the Catch Tab breaks use a little bit of silicon to hold the lens . A blade will remove it if needed next time
hako said
10:17 PM Feb 15, 2021
Thanks for the replies - I might try levering it from the top where it's less noticeable if it snaps and I need to silicon it up. I could also try using the Dremel to grind away the locking tabs and then silicone it back.
Thanks again
Hako.
Aus-Kiwi said
09:52 AM Feb 16, 2021
Sometimes in warm conditions the plastic is not as hard ? Plying carefully in correct place ? Often spray a little olive oil from the spray can helps . A little graphite type grease carefully on connections helps keep corrosion at bay .
Bicyclecamper said
03:52 PM Feb 16, 2021
I had the exactly same ones on my Road in the Sky Star van, and changed them to led lights, no more bulbs blowing and no more water ingress into receptical or the van itself. Cost including the lights $20 ea fitted.
Dougwe said
07:12 PM Feb 16, 2021
Maybe it's worth changing the light to a different one, Hako.
hako said
10:36 AM Feb 18, 2021
I've ended up using the Dremel to cut away the top clip which enabled me to prise the cover away from the body. The lamp seems in good condition and I'll solder the ends of the festoon bulb to the spring clamps - if that destroys the bulb then I'll solder an LED into the clamps. Not real sure about the earth which is just a self tapper screwed into the aluminium cladding.
I'd replace the incandescent bulb with LED prior to setting cover back on with adhesive, - never need to have it off again.
patrol03 said
11:32 AM Feb 18, 2021
A good idea of Possum's and they would be a better light into the bargain. I would also check the earth wiring at each light and certainly not solder the festoon globe to the fittings. That is band aid treatment. Do it properly the first time and replace the globes with LED if not shout yourself a couple of new clearance lights.
-- Edited by oldbloke on Thursday 18th of February 2021 01:16:58 PM
hako said
02:56 PM Feb 18, 2021
Yes, probably good advice not to use the old incandescent bulb - I have some white LED's that I can solder in but I'll have to do the other side as well otherwise they will look different. I don't really want to replace the unit as disturbing the seals may cause leaks plus the clear lens is in good nick.
Thanks again.
I have 2 of these lamps on the front of our Olympic Sprinter poptop, both work with a tap/thumps which to me indicates bad or corroded connection to the festoon bulb.
As I don't want to snap the plastic by levering in the wrong place I wonder if anyone else has had experience in removing the cover to access the bulb. I have tried gently levering the cover but to no avail. Like most 'snap-on' covers, unless you lever from the right spot they snap.
Any help appreciated
I also find, that it is nearly impossible, to buy the exact same light
I measure the outside and either buy a similar one from a caravan or auto shop, or if I have the time, buy about 4 at a time LED type from eBay
If only the Catch Tab breaks use a little bit of silicon to hold the lens . A blade will remove it if needed next time
Thanks again
Hako.
Thanks for the help.
Good luck
www.ebay.com.au/itm/10-X-Amber-Red-Clearance-Lights-Side-Marker-4-LED-Trailer-Truck-Caravan-10V-30V/264090240602%
And in OZ
-- Edited by oldbloke on Thursday 18th of February 2021 01:16:58 PM
Thanks again.
Good Luck.