Masthead light replacement on Grady White 248 Voyager 1996

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karnacker

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Hi All - I'm hoping someone has had experience replacing the masthead light on a 1996 Voyager (or similar). I am fairly certain this is the replacement part:

Perko Windshield Vertical Mount All-Round Light - 1124DP2CHR​


Both the base (attached to the intersection of the two front windshield plates) and the stem are old/corroded. I will also be replacing the panel switch. The danger is the wiring between the stem/base and wherever it goes to to reach the switch panel. I started to remove the base/stem from between the windshields (where it is located on this boat). (There are 3 Phillips-screw/washer/nut combinations.) I then saw there was very little spare/loose wire to work with. The stem has a hole in it into which several wires (wrapped in electrical tape) pass into the stem. I am concerned that - if I cut the wire-package at the wrong place - I will not have enough wire left to connect the new light assembly. I do NOT want to have to remove the windshield plates and go digging for the wires. The wires did not want to easily pull out from under the windshield area (cant be sure if that is friction, or no wire). I am trying to reach Perko to find out what the wiring looks like on a new unit. I will also try to post a picture of current situation. If anyone has done this operation, I would appreciate any info on their experience/suggestions.

Thanks!
Jim K

(Pictures have top 2 screws removed from base.)
 

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Most, if not all, all around lights come with a length (maybe 8" or 12") of wire already attached.

But... what other "white" lights do you have and where are they located? There may be a better solution. Do you have a hardtop or Bimini?
 
If you have not already removed the existing light... Leave the existing wires connected at the windshield. you can remove the light fixture from the top of the pole and cut the wires there. Then pull the fixture wires down ...extending the wire the length of the pole...
This assumes the existing connections are good...

Otherwise find the wire going into the window frame. If you can't pull some extra, use it to pull new wire.

The Perko light is the replacement but it is old school incandescent bulb and also crazy expensive compared to some amazon LED versions

The amount of effort hinges on how often you run in the dark.

Windshield lights tend to be blinding in your face.
Do you have a Bimini top? You could mount a shorter one to the top of that.
 
Measure the overall length and the angle of the bend. Having a Bimini I think you are going to find that the length is a lot longer than 8 or 12 inches, It may also be difficult to find the exact match. The light has to be visible all around and therefore it has to be tall enough to not be blocked by the Bimini when deployed. I don't remember what I found years ago but me thinks the closest match I found was an Perko. Depending on your length, the Perko 1124DP2CHR may work but I think your length is longer than the available listed options.

​

 
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The fixture has to be a push in with locking nut style. It can not be a hinged or hard wired type at least based on my experience with a shorter hull in that model year.The pole has to be removed if you want to take down and fold the Bimini forward onto the deck.
Can't you reuse the existing pole? The actual lamp head could be replaced. Replacing the windshield portion of the fixture can be a pain.
 
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