Sunpod wingnut replacement help

ari5736 · 12/07/2009, 08:27 AM

Many of my wingnuts that hold the uv shield to the fixture have broken due to salt corrosion. I have asked Current for replacements and they don't carry them as Sunpod was discontinued. They told me the diameter of the bold is 3mm, so I went to HD and they don't carry 3 mm. Instead I bought 4mm, 5mm, #6, and #8. All of the nuts are course thread size

Surprising the 4mm was to small, the 5mm was too large. the #6 to small, but the #8 started to screw on but stopped half way up the bolt. I am hoping if I try the fine thread size #8 it might work.

Current told me that other faced with this issue snap off the bolt and replace it, but I am not comfortable welding. I am trying to replace my bulbs and aside from the problem of getting replacement nuts I am also facing much difficulty getting the nuts off some of the bolts due to corrosion.

Current suggested WD 40 and CLR (calcium lime rust remover). I have searched through the threads on RC and although I have not found a thread that deals with this issue I am certain many others have faced it.

Current said that I should have not placed the fixture over an uncovered aquarium, which is of course not very realistic.

If anyone has any suggestions please help. Thank you.

ari5736 · 12/07/2009, 02:00 PM

bttt

mcoomer · 12/07/2009, 03:32 PM

I don't know what size they are but I snapped one off as well. I pulled the other three and souped them up real good with TriFlow. I've been planning on pulling one off and going to the hardware store so maybe I'll do that today and post the size that I find on here.

Mike

ari5736 · 12/07/2009, 04:50 PM

That would be great, please let me know if you have any luck.

mcoomer · 12/07/2009, 08:32 PM

I forgot to take one with me so I just picked up a couple of sizes. M5 with .50 pitch is what worked for me.

Mike

ari5736 · 12/08/2009, 12:31 PM

Thanks Mike. I guess a fine thread is the trick here. I guess I owe you one, if this works next time I am in WA I'll bring a frag for you.

ari5736 · 12/09/2009, 12:16 PM

I can't seem to find a 5m .5 pitch nut.

ari5736 · 12/10/2009, 08:41 AM

bump

Cloudburst2000 · 12/10/2009, 01:32 PM

I actually just posted with the same problem. Part of the problem with their wingnust, IMHO, is that the little 'wings' are rather flimsy. It didn't take alot of force to snap mine. I got three off okay but the last one snapped. A local reefer said that he used 'Liquid Wrench' when he had the same problem. He said to just make sure that you clean up real well afterwards so none can get into the aquarium with salt creep.

ari5736 · 12/10/2009, 04:29 PM

Well I got an unofficial recommendation from current and they told me that others have ripped the bolt off and replaced with standard size, and I just did the same. At least now I can replace my bulbs. I used a #6 bolt and although it was a little snug in the hole it looks fine.

I am a little worried about the salt encrusted wingnuts that may have splintered upon removal into the aquarium.

12/07/2009, 08:27 AM	#1
ari5736 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 447	Sunpod wingnut replacement help Many of my wingnuts that hold the uv shield to the fixture have broken due to salt corrosion. I have asked Current for replacements and they don't carry them as Sunpod was discontinued. They told me the diameter of the bold is 3mm, so I went to HD and they don't carry 3 mm. Instead I bought 4mm, 5mm, #6, and #8. All of the nuts are course thread size Surprising the 4mm was to small, the 5mm was too large. the #6 to small, but the #8 started to screw on but stopped half way up the bolt. I am hoping if I try the fine thread size #8 it might work. Current told me that other faced with this issue snap off the bolt and replace it, but I am not comfortable welding. I am trying to replace my bulbs and aside from the problem of getting replacement nuts I am also facing much difficulty getting the nuts off some of the bolts due to corrosion. Current suggested WD 40 and CLR (calcium lime rust remover). I have searched through the threads on RC and although I have not found a thread that deals with this issue I am certain many others have faced it. Current said that I should have not placed the fixture over an uncovered aquarium, which is of course not very realistic. If anyone has any suggestions please help. Thank you.

12/07/2009, 03:32 PM	#3
mcoomer Rat Bastard! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 1,487	I don't know what size they are but I snapped one off as well. I pulled the other three and souped them up real good with TriFlow. I've been planning on pulling one off and going to the hardware store so maybe I'll do that today and post the size that I find on here. Mike __________________ Spending exorbitant amounts of money on this hobby since 1998! My wife thought the tank would be cheaper and easier to keep than a dog...no seriously! Current Tank Info: 180 gallon mixed reef; Reeflo Barracuda, Tunze 6105 (X3), 250W Radiums with dual HQI Blue Wave 7, Reefkeeper Elite controller, custom sump with ASM G4, carbon and GFO reactors

12/07/2009, 08:32 PM	#5
mcoomer Rat Bastard! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 1,487	I forgot to take one with me so I just picked up a couple of sizes. M5 with .50 pitch is what worked for me. Mike __________________ Spending exorbitant amounts of money on this hobby since 1998! My wife thought the tank would be cheaper and easier to keep than a dog...no seriously! Current Tank Info: 180 gallon mixed reef; Reeflo Barracuda, Tunze 6105 (X3), 250W Radiums with dual HQI Blue Wave 7, Reefkeeper Elite controller, custom sump with ASM G4, carbon and GFO reactors

12/09/2009, 12:16 PM	#7
ari5736 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 447	I can't seem to find a 5m .5 pitch nut. Last edited by ari5736; 12/09/2009 at 12:21 PM.

12/07/2009, 02:00 PM	#2
ari5736 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 447	bttt

12/07/2009, 04:50 PM	#4
ari5736 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 447	That would be great, please let me know if you have any luck.

12/08/2009, 12:31 PM	#6
ari5736 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 447	Thanks Mike. I guess a fine thread is the trick here. I guess I owe you one, if this works next time I am in WA I'll bring a frag for you.

12/10/2009, 08:41 AM	#8
ari5736 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 447	bump

12/10/2009, 01:32 PM	#9
Cloudburst2000 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 1,485	I actually just posted with the same problem. Part of the problem with their wingnust, IMHO, is that the little 'wings' are rather flimsy. It didn't take alot of force to snap mine. I got three off okay but the last one snapped. A local reefer said that he used 'Liquid Wrench' when he had the same problem. He said to just make sure that you clean up real well afterwards so none can get into the aquarium with salt creep.

12/10/2009, 04:29 PM	#10
ari5736 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 447	Well I got an unofficial recommendation from current and they told me that others have ripped the bolt off and replaced with standard size, and I just did the same. At least now I can replace my bulbs. I used a #6 bolt and although it was a little snug in the hole it looks fine. I am a little worried about the salt encrusted wingnuts that may have splintered upon removal into the aquarium.