Bulb Wiggler

[whorne]

If I ever have a running light, mast head light, cabin light or any other light on my boat that is not working, the problem is almost always that the base of the bulb is not making a good connection in the socket. Wiggling the bulb makes it work. What's the deal? Is there a way to prevent corrosion on the contacts? Are screw in bulbs better than bayonett types? Do I need to upgrade my light sockets?

Thanks

[southshoreS24]

clean the socket well and use some dielectric grease to help keep the corrosion down. also make sure its sealed as well as possible.

[justified]

+1 just like Southshore said

[SlowButSteady]

Electrical grease helps (sometimes a lot). However, if your boat is on the coast, in salt water and salty air, corrosion is something one can minimize, but never completely avoid.

[RichH]

The usual problem is that the solder contacts on the bulb deform over time due to the pressure of the springs in the socket. This over time results in the contacts becoming 'flattened' or 'dimpled' resulting in poor contact.

Only fix is to replace the bulb with a new one .... OR add a bit solder to the deformed contact(s) to build the contact back to 'normal' dimensions.

[whorne]

Thank y'all so much for your help. I just got back from the store with some dielectric grease. I'll check for bad contacts as I apply the grease. What a wonderful thing it will be if my lights are reliable!

[AdamLein]

Isn't dielectric grease an insulator?

[whorne]

You must have read my mind. Do I want something to put on the contacts that improves conduction or do I want grease that won't cause a short? What I have is made by GC Electronics and the label says "Specialty Silicone Compond...An excellent lubricant and dielectric compound.

[AdamLein]

Originally Posted by whorne

You must have read my mind. Do I want something to put on the contacts that improves conduction or do I want grease that won't cause a short? What I have is made by GC Electronics and the label says "Specialty Silicone Compond...An excellent lubricant and dielectric compound.

This issue has always bothered me. What Is Dielectric Grease? says

While the indicated use of dielectric grease calls for it to be used only on the non-metal parts of a connection, it has been shown to be effective at preventing corrosion when applied directly to the metal connectors as well. Care should be taken when using it in this way, because this application can, in some instances, cause the connection to stop working. A common reason for such a failure is that the grease has not been pushed entirely out of the way between the two points of contact.

So, if you're worried about your contact points deforming and not making good contact, I would think that adding an insulating layer in between and hoping it just "mushes out" is not a good idea.

Places if I have seen dielectric grease put to good use: the bolted-down contact points on the starter solenoid in my outboard. They were bolted down, and then the grease was applied over the whole thing (not between the contacts).

[whorne]

Thanks AdamLein, that was great information. I'm looking at my boat with my dielectric grease in one hand and scratching my head with the other :-)