Replacing Clearance lights

[John Harrison]

Alright time for my next stupid question. I am going to replace all the clearance lights on the Aluma-lite with Led lights. Can I use plumbers putty around the base of the lights like you do around the flange of a sink drain to make it waterproof? I can not find a local source of butyl tape and the putty seems to be about the same thing.

[Lakota Wolf]

That Plumbers putty is a good back up when butyl tape isnt available,, I have used it,, and I doubted it at first, but it actually turned out to be pretty much the same thing.You shouldnt have any problems using the plumber putty.

[Terry H]

Butyl tape should be available from any residential glass shop. Grey or black, 1/8 x 3/8 & 1/16 x 3/8.

[Victor Lopez]

If you are in a hurry your local hardware store shout have.

http://www.homedepot.com/s/butyl%2520tape?NCNI-5

[John Harrison]

OK, Next problem with clearance lights, when they built this monster they bored a huge hole (About 1 inch) to run wires thru and riveted the clearance lights on. After drilling out the rivet I found they used a 1/4 inch hole BIG RIVETS.  I thought I could just use my handy hand riveter and no the RV Gods frowned upon me and there is not enough room between the circuit board of the new lights and the casing to get my riveter in. Went to Homehell and bought some anchors but they are not working either. With a 1/4 inch hole you can't get the last 1/4 inch of the anchor flush and if you enlarge the hole a smidgen the the plastic anchor just spins. What do I do now??? 

[Lakota Wolf]

I have used *Fender Clips,, (auto parts stores)   They are a  *U shaped clip that a screw attaches to,, They ahve different sizes But I have used the small with excellent results,,, and NO drilling, The U clip *fender clip slides over the holes,, covering the front and back and you ya put in the ole screw and your all set,,

http://www.ebay.com/itm/20Pcs-Nylon-U-Nut-10-Screw-Hood-Fender-Whee...

Hers an example, of what they look like,

[John Harrison]

thanks I tried that but the distance from the center hole to the mounting holes is too great.

[Victor Lopez]

Threaded inserts maybe a little pricey.  I have had good luck when nothing else does the job.

http://www.albanycountyfasteners.com/Threaded-Inserts-s/725.htm

[John Harrison]

might give that some thought, wondering where I can find them local since I need the RV this weekend.

[Rich Thomas]

Hi john, if you are close to a Lowe's or other big box hardware store like Home Depot; take a little time and explore the fastener isle. There you will find a large assortment of specialty fasteners used by furniture makers like the sawdust junk you can buy from Walmart. There just may be something that will fill the bill for your project. at any rate good luck on your project.

[John Harrison]

Well finally got the lights switched out. Had to move all of them up a bit and used sheet metal screws. Almost ready to take to Fla. this weekend and shoot Yankee's.

[John Harrison]

Here is a shot of the rear.

[Dawn Michelle]

Looks fantastic!  Glad you found a workable solution, and thanks for posting what you did.