Remove and replace old reading fixture

[BoatGirl]

Hello Carver Lovers
I’m trying to replace my forward cabin light fixtures.
Where is the best place to cut off the old fixture?
Do I need to keep the “half round” piece intact or can it be removed as well.
Thanks
Penny

[Viper]

I suspect that's a dimmer module for that particular fixture. If the new fixture isn't dimmable, then you don't need the module, and if it is, it may have it's own module or can accommodate a generic external one. The two wires coming out of the wall are your 12 volt DC (typically) supply wires which is what you need to hook up your new fixture providing the new fixture is also a 12 volt DC unit. If there is enough wire, pull them out of the wall enough to cut before the butt connectors I see in the hole, so you don't end up with an extra set of connectors, the fewer the better.

[BoatGirl]

Thank you very much!

[Viper]

Post some pics after the install, curious minds want to see your new upgrade.

[km1125]

Just the way I do it, but when you're cutting leads with butt connectors (or really any crimp), then cut right at where it's actually crimped. It's harder to cut than just cutting wire, but any "nines" will do it or any larger diagonal cutters. It'll leave you with about 1/2" more wire but sometimes that makes a BIG difference, especially in situations like this where the wire is coming out of the bulkhead. No sense cutting any more of the good wire off than necessary!

[Coldcruisin]

I just chopped back to the 12v wires feeding the fixture.

[Midnightsun]

Lookin good

[BoatGirl]

I haven’t got very far…. Intimidated by the wires!

[Viper]

I suspect your main 12 volt feed is a pair (black & yellow (- & +)) on the left side of the pic. The second pair there is the set that supplies the 12 volts to the fixture on the right. On the left side, temporarily hook up the 2 black wires to the black wire on your new fixture, and the 2 yellow wires to the red (or other colour) wire on the fixture. Do the same to the other fixture on the right side with the pair of wires there and try the lights. If hooked up this way and the fixtures have their own switches, they should operate independently of each other. Is there also a switch on the wall to turn the lights on and off?

[BoatGirl]

There is not a switch on the wall only on the fixture