Whoops! The screw thing on my MH light broke. Need help.

Cloudburst2000 · 12/10/2009, 01:28 AM

Okay, I was trying to remove the glass that covers the MH light. It is screwed down at the four edges. The screw sticks up through the glass and there is a screw cover that has two projections for gripping. I bought this light about 2 months ago from a local reefer and haven't had to open it since I bought it. Anyhoo, he must have really tightened down the screw covers. I couldn't unscrew them by hand. I had to break out the wrench. After some serious muscle, I was able to unscrew the first three. The last one BROKE! WAAHHH! The little projections snapped off so I decided to use the wrench on the screw cover itself. All I managed to do was score the metal. That thing is on the MEGA tight, and I have no idea how to get it off. I can't replace my light until I can get it off. Does anyone have ANY ideas on how to get that screw cover off. Using a wrench on it was just scoring the metal. Remember this is attached to a piece of glass so it has to be something that won't break the glass. I am open to ideas. Thanks!

Cloudburst2000 · 12/10/2009, 02:13 AM

Actually, the thing is called a nut. I couldn't remember for the life of me what the name was earlier. It's one of those nuts that has the two little projections for gripping. The projections snapped off so now it is the nut only. And it is on there insanely tight. I will have to go put a voodoo curse on Charlie...the person who put the nuts on the last time.

fstlane4me · 12/10/2009, 09:41 AM

Mine are all stuck onmy light system.The salt spray causes the WINGNUTS to corrode.On my light system I can just slide the whole cover out each end.What brand is your light?

Cloudburst2000 · 12/10/2009, 01:22 PM

Yes, wingnuts, that's what they are called. Thank you for reminding me. I have a Current MH 24" light. Not sure of a model on it. I bought it used and the model number isn't written on the light that I can see.

fsn77 · 12/10/2009, 04:18 PM

If it is a metal wingnut threaded onto a metal screw / bolt, try putting a drop or two of something like 3-in-1 oil (or other penetrating oil) on the nut where it contacts the threads and let it sit for an hour or so. Hopefully, that'll soak in well enough to loosen the corrosion so you can unscrew the wingnut. In the future, when replacing the wingnuts, try rubbing a tiny amount of that same oil on the threads to help prevent the wingnut and bolt from corroding so much. It should make it much easier to remove the wingnuts the next time around.

12/10/2009, 01:28 AM	#1
Cloudburst2000 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 1,485	Whoops! The screw thing on my MH light broke. Need help. Okay, I was trying to remove the glass that covers the MH light. It is screwed down at the four edges. The screw sticks up through the glass and there is a screw cover that has two projections for gripping. I bought this light about 2 months ago from a local reefer and haven't had to open it since I bought it. Anyhoo, he must have really tightened down the screw covers. I couldn't unscrew them by hand. I had to break out the wrench. After some serious muscle, I was able to unscrew the first three. The last one BROKE! WAAHHH! The little projections snapped off so I decided to use the wrench on the screw cover itself. All I managed to do was score the metal. That thing is on the MEGA tight, and I have no idea how to get it off. I can't replace my light until I can get it off. Does anyone have ANY ideas on how to get that screw cover off. Using a wrench on it was just scoring the metal. Remember this is attached to a piece of glass so it has to be something that won't break the glass. I am open to ideas. Thanks!

12/10/2009, 02:13 AM	#2
Cloudburst2000 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 1,485	Actually, the thing is called a nut. I couldn't remember for the life of me what the name was earlier. It's one of those nuts that has the two little projections for gripping. The projections snapped off so now it is the nut only. And it is on there insanely tight. I will have to go put a voodoo curse on Charlie...the person who put the nuts on the last time.

12/10/2009, 09:41 AM	#3
fstlane4me Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: VC,Ks Posts: 61	Mine are all stuck onmy light system.The salt spray causes the WINGNUTS to corrode.On my light system I can just slide the whole cover out each end.What brand is your light?

12/10/2009, 01:22 PM	#4
Cloudburst2000 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 1,485	Yes, wingnuts, that's what they are called. Thank you for reminding me. I have a Current MH 24" light. Not sure of a model on it. I bought it used and the model number isn't written on the light that I can see.

12/10/2009, 04:18 PM	#5
fsn77 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: SC Posts: 777	If it is a metal wingnut threaded onto a metal screw / bolt, try putting a drop or two of something like 3-in-1 oil (or other penetrating oil) on the nut where it contacts the threads and let it sit for an hour or so. Hopefully, that'll soak in well enough to loosen the corrosion so you can unscrew the wingnut. In the future, when replacing the wingnuts, try rubbing a tiny amount of that same oil on the threads to help prevent the wingnut and bolt from corroding so much. It should make it much easier to remove the wingnuts the next time around.