Bertram33 User Forum

I expect to get a couple good suggestions from this one. This may be limited to the 1989 FBC. Not sure if the 1988 has the same lighting, but I know the 1987 didn't. All my overhead interior fluorsent light fixtures are failing. I've lost 4 now. apparently the 12V ballasts are dying. Thought it was as simple as bulbs, but not the case. Tried Bertram , with no luck. Haven't heard back from Danny at High Tide. I did go up into the ceiling and take out one whole section and put in a halogen light bar, then put the lens back. Doesn't satisfy me...I like the fluoresent lighting. Anybody else have this configuration? With similiar problems? I checked all mfg. for lights in both boats and RVs..nobody sells this stuff. Gene Dugan

Gene, I doubt our configs are the same, but I am having the same problem with 2 out of my 4 lights. Luckily, one on each side, so it isn't too bad. David Sumich 1986 SF - 33 Megabites Huntington Harbour, CA Forum Administrator

Dave, Are they Fluoresent lights in the SF? I know I looked at a 1987 FBC and it had like a triple light fixture mounted over the sink/stove. Not quite as fancy, but sure as hell easier to fix or replace. Gene Dugan

I've got one of mine out. I thought it was just a bulb. It looks like we're waiting for you to find the way Ed. Yes they're flourescent on a late SF. Frank Price

Sorry Gene , I didn't double check who started the thread. [;)] There are more and more things made on boats and cars in the fairly recent past that just aren't being made anymore because there is no longer enough demand for them . These may just be one of those things. Frank Price

Show the way Gene...I've got the same lights as you on my 87 SF. One is out. I always planned to augment them with something else because they're not bright enough to read by comfortably, even when they all worked. Not sure what I will add though. Probably someday strip the whole florscent system and put in regular indirect lighting in the same place, especially if parts are no longer available for these. Sean Burlingham "Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF Melbourne, FL SBurlingham@cfl.rr.com

I looked thru the web, and there isn't a whole lot of choices. One company sells tube lighting. I doubt if that would work well. Somebody else sold some indirect fluorsent strip. , single bulb. Maybe. I also kicked around the idea of cutting some solid panels to replace the lens, and put about 3 recessed halogen lamps in each. That would sure brighten things up, but they arn't cheap. I think I'll wait until the Miami show and see if I can get some ideas. Gene Dugan

In my '90 I have 3 (or 4?) of the fluorsents recessed on each side approximately 18" long each. I have one out and tried replacing the bulb too with no luck. Let us know if you have any success. Brian '90 Bertram 33' FBC Never Say Never Westbrook, CT (Homeport) Kinnelon, NJ (Home)

Brian, Same setup. There are 3 per side. I have 4 that are out. The more I think about it, I would try to upgrade to Halogen if I can. Maybe a prototype in one hole first. I'll work on it. Gene Dugan

mine have 3 10 watt tungsten bulbs not flourescent Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

I have lighting like Tim, but perhaps this would be helpful BEP Marine http://www.bepmarine.com/showcategory.cfm?categoryid=36 Imtra Complete Marine Lighting catalog http://imtra.com/downloadTypes/IML_Brochure.pdf 1979 Bertram 33' FBC ALEXANDRA Port Richey, Florida

The BEP recessed maybe If they are the same size would probably work. I'll have to measure them. They are out of New Zeland , so it is all metric. The other one..they had a picture of a Sea Ray! Gene Dugan

quote:Originally posted by Sean Burlingham I always planned to augment them with something else because they're not bright enough to read by comfortably, even when they all worked. Sean, you got that right. The 15 watt bulbs don't generate much light at all. I have two 60 watt lamps in the cabin that really light it up, but if all I had was the built in ones, I'd never be able to see anything. Two being out doesn't help either, but you can tell they are pretty worthless. David Sumich 1986 SF - 33 Megabites Huntington Harbour, CA Forum Administrator

quote: The other one..they had a picture of a Sea Ray! OMG, how could that have ever happened! [:0] The IML catalog photos of Bertram's are: Cover photo is the cabin of a Bertram 670 Page 4 is the cabin of a Bertram 570 Page 22 is the cabin of a Bertram 390 Page 61is a thank you to Bertram 1979 Bertram 33' FBC ALEXANDRA Port Richey, Florida

Gene, when you tried the halogens, did you try floods or spots? I recently added some iterior lighting and found that there are different bulb styles.