Ok, so I picked up 2 SeaBlazeX Lights to install on the transom below the waterline on either side of the drive. All was going well...measuring, drilling ect.
I removed the copper bottom paint from the spots where the lights were going then repainted with outdrive paint as directed. I waited a day for it to dry before doing the installation. I drilled the center .5" hole and the three mounting holes with a 5/32 bit.
I then filled the screw holes and center hole with 4200 as well as the back of the fixture and around the wire boss. I proceeded to screw it in. Heres where the problems started. The screw are some kind of aluminum alloy so not quite as strong as stainless. I got 2 in carefully but snapped the head of one somehow. It seemed like I hit a "knot" in the fiberglass or wood. I reamed it out a little tried it again and it snapped off once again. I finally got it on the third try. The second light went the same way but ran out of their screws. I went to home depot and picked up the same size stainless screws and fiber washers. So one light has 2 stainless screws and one aluminum. I used fiber washers from home depot as spacers to keep the screw from seating directly on the aluminum housing of the light. I then covered the top of the screw with 4200 hoping to keep the water off.
Question is do you think this is good enough to stop the corrosion between the 2 metals?
Next thing is each time I snapped a screw I had to break the 4200 seal(it was still fresh) and re-bead the holes and back of the fixture because you cant get to the broken screw without doing that. Very aggravating to do while trying not to get the 4200 everywhere.
Then, after completing the second light there was a crazy downpour for about 20 minutes so I stopped working. After the rain I went into the engine compartment to seal the inside of the hole and push the rubber strain relief into the hole. I couldnt do this because of the access and the 4200 started to set. I was able to get more 4200 into the hole and push the strain relief almost into the hole or at least close. I dont think this will be a problem with all the 4200 in there but always thinking there may be an issue.
Anyway the lights seem to be very well constructed and the only complaint would be the screws and the leads could be a little longer. Main worry is the corrosion thing being once you snap them you cant find them anywhere.
I removed the copper bottom paint from the spots where the lights were going then repainted with outdrive paint as directed. I waited a day for it to dry before doing the installation. I drilled the center .5" hole and the three mounting holes with a 5/32 bit.
I then filled the screw holes and center hole with 4200 as well as the back of the fixture and around the wire boss. I proceeded to screw it in. Heres where the problems started. The screw are some kind of aluminum alloy so not quite as strong as stainless. I got 2 in carefully but snapped the head of one somehow. It seemed like I hit a "knot" in the fiberglass or wood. I reamed it out a little tried it again and it snapped off once again. I finally got it on the third try. The second light went the same way but ran out of their screws. I went to home depot and picked up the same size stainless screws and fiber washers. So one light has 2 stainless screws and one aluminum. I used fiber washers from home depot as spacers to keep the screw from seating directly on the aluminum housing of the light. I then covered the top of the screw with 4200 hoping to keep the water off.
Question is do you think this is good enough to stop the corrosion between the 2 metals?
Next thing is each time I snapped a screw I had to break the 4200 seal(it was still fresh) and re-bead the holes and back of the fixture because you cant get to the broken screw without doing that. Very aggravating to do while trying not to get the 4200 everywhere.
Then, after completing the second light there was a crazy downpour for about 20 minutes so I stopped working. After the rain I went into the engine compartment to seal the inside of the hole and push the rubber strain relief into the hole. I couldnt do this because of the access and the 4200 started to set. I was able to get more 4200 into the hole and push the strain relief almost into the hole or at least close. I dont think this will be a problem with all the 4200 in there but always thinking there may be an issue.
Anyway the lights seem to be very well constructed and the only complaint would be the screws and the leads could be a little longer. Main worry is the corrosion thing being once you snap them you cant find them anywhere.
