Light fixture puzzle

[Nancy]

I'm trying to get brighter, warmer lighting in our dome fixtures. I thought this was going to be easy.

When I opened the fixtures to see what was in them, I didn't notice that the existing round LED bulbs had been hacked. I happily went ahead and ordered new bulbs. But they're going to need to be hacked, too, or else the fixture has to be modified. Here's the problem.

The fixtures use G4 bulbs. The sockets in the fixtures are positioned so that the holes that the bulbs go into are not horizontal. They're about 1/8 of a turn off horizontal:

dome light 07.25.22-1201.jpg

Now I see that the existing bulb has one pin lifted from the disc

led existing-2-07.25.22-981.jpg

I wouldn't have dared do that!

Here's the new bulb. I can insert it far enough to light it up, and it's great! I want to make this work. But how?? Do you think it's possible to turn the socket so that the openings are horizontal? I think these are Scandvik fixtures, and the sockets seem to be held in place with miniscule nuts and bolts. Do I dare bend the prongs on the bulb? I think they will break.

led new 07.25.22-626.jpg

New bulb: https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinf ... 2698/3854/

[Pitou]

When I changed my halogen bulbs down in my cabin in both my 28 and 31 I bent the wire prongs without issue so that the bulbs orientation would be horizontal. No damage and done.

[Dixon]

I have a 2003 new to me Albin 28TE engine box. I’ve been replacing the halogen cabin lights and the anchor/ running light since they suck amps and we like to anchor overnight. This forum has been useful. I have the perko anchor/white running light. Style 1196, undoubtedly original with the Albin. . It has two incandescent bulbs that were drawing 2 Amps in anchor lite mode (both bulbs on) I found these leds in Amazon and they are a perfect fit. Amp draw is down to .5 Amps with both on. Much brighter than the original incandescents. ( By The Way the victron bmv-712 smart battery monitor is the way to go to figure this stuff out)

31mm Marine LED Festoon
Bulbs for Navigation, Boat
Anchor & Mast Masthead
Lights, Super Bright 12V
2PCS
Brand: Shangyua

[Dixon]

On the interior lights, my 2003 has the exact same fixtures that Nancy describes and picture provided. With all the cabin lights on I was drawing 6amps with the halogens! Gee, 4 hours at anchor and you’ve burned thru 24 amps. And you haven’t even fired up the microwave or stereo yet. So you are reduced to using just 1 or two lights. I replaced these with leds. I found that the Feit 2.5 w at 225 lumens, 12v in bright white fit perfectly without a need to worry about the off angle ceramic fixture that Nancy describes. These are at Home Depot right now, but there may be cheaper options on line. I was concerned that “bright white” described on the package would be the harsh white light often seen with LEDs. But these were warm enough for us. The package says 3000k and that works for us. Amp draw is now around 1 amp with all cabin lights on.

[catalina_mike]

I replaced the entire fixture. I don't remember what I put in however.