[C320-list] Bulb types for mast lights

[Doug Treff]

On 5/26/2013 12:43 PM, Mark Gillingham wrote:
> Question: Does the fixture for the anchor light take the same bulb type as
> the running lights? I purchased 3 LED bulbs with the assumption that the
> anchor light was the same as the running lights.
>
> Q2: What bulb type does the steaming and deck light fixture receive?
> Halogen with two wire prongs?
On my particular boat, I have the Aqua Signal steaming light fixture. 
It's this one:
http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=461&ParentCat=335

For the steaming light, it takes the following bulb:
http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=151
These are the special "Dimpled ended" bulbs. Very hard to find. I went 
to three local stores before I found one. One store manager told me he 
could order the old style but no longer stocks it because they aren't 
selling enough. He did "helpfully" try to interest me in buying a newer 
masthead fixture, which I declined...  ;-)

The deck light was the bayonet type halogen bulb shown here:
http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=192

As for the anchor light, my ORIGINAL fixture took the same bulb as the 
steaming light (with the dimpled ends). But as I said, it was crumbling 
and had to be replaced. I replaced it with an identical Aqua Signal 
fixture from West Marine. Here's the fixture I bought:
http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=286&ParentCat=335
But since 2011, Aqua Signal has been making their fixtures to use the 
pointed end bulbs, which is apparently the new style. See the special 
note on the CatalinaDirect page linked above for the anchor light.

So, BOTTOM LINE: If your C320 is pre-1998, and has the original 
fixtures, the bulbs listed above will work. Sometime in late 1998 or 
1999, they switched to the Hella fixture pictured here:
http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=1037&ParentCat=335

If you're 1999 or newer, you'll need to do your own research on the 
Hella fixture to see what bulbs it needs. I have no idea because it does 
not apply to me. I suggest you get a good camera with a telephoto lens 
and snap a picture of the steaming light fixture and compare the the 
styles listed in CatalinaDirect to figure out what brand you have.

Remember when handling the halogen deck light bulbs, you should not 
touch the bulb surface with your hands. The oils in your hand will coat 
the bulb and cause premature burn-out.

Good luck!

-- 
Doug Treff
doug at treff.us