Mast light wiring question or replacement ideas

[AmandaRuth]

Questions about wiring issues with my mast light - does anyone have a recommendation for how to replace (e.g. brand) that fits the MacGregorX, since my wires are all frayed all the way down to the part that plugs into the deck? I'm not sure if it was original. I attached pics. I don't necessarily need to rewire the entire thing - I think I can just rewire with new parts for plugging into the deck. I would consider it a huge win if I could just find the same exact plugs, so I only have to fix the wiring and utilize the intact deck-piece that I think is likely fine.

[Russ]

From your photo, the wires look like they are the only part that needs replacing.

The connector is oxidized and would clean up with a wire brush or some emery paper on the contacts.
If I recall, the connector has 2 screws the seat the bare wires. Try removing the connector from the outer shell and see if you can just replace the wires.

[AmandaRuth]

I considered that - I can fix wires, as I'm fairly handy. But I think that this is beyond fixing, which the pictures don't show. The entire thing is actually plastic - it looks nothing like ones I've found for sale that are metal. So, that dark color isn't oxidation. I tried to pull off the plastic to see if it was just a cover for the metal and couldn't pull it off.

The wires are frayed all into the male part of the connection. I can get better pictures next time I check on the boat, since that would be helpful.Rewiring it would mean needing to take apart the male connection, which I'm not sure is possible or within my capabilities. Maybe it is.

My backup system is a solar 360 degree light that I can hang from a spare halliard, but I'm not sure USCG would appreciate that hack.

[Russ]

Gotcha...

BWY sells upgraded plugs
https://shop.bwyachts.com/category-s/167.htm


I believe original equipment was Sea Dog connectors. Cheap and easy to find
https://www.go2marine.com/sea-dog-polar ... -plug-only

[Be Free]

The frayed wire in your photo is part of the original 26X wiring. It is 18 AWG lamp cord and was used for all of the lights in the boat. It is technically sufficient for what it was designed to do but this would be a good time to consider replacing it with something a little larger to cut down on the voltage drop. I recommend replacing all of the wiring in the mast while you are working on it.

As far as the deck connector goes, it might be time to replace both sides of it while you are at it. The original wiring used a 2 pin connector. You could put a 3 or 4 pin connector there if you think you may want to run other wires in the future. Just something to consider.

Do you have one or two lights on your mast? The boat came with a "steaming light" (sometimes called a "masthead light" because it is mounted on the head (front) of the mast. It is used when you are under power at night. You may also have an anchor light mounted at the top of the mast.

If you have an anchor light and you plan on using it regularly consider changing it to use an LED bulb if it does not already have one. A standard incandescent bulb would use close to 18AH overnight. The bulb in the steaming light is not usually a problem. It is only used when the engine is on so you don't have to worry about how much current it draws.

Your idea of using a 360 degree light hanging from a halyard is perfectly acceptable. You are required to "exhibit where it can best be seen in the fore part, an all-round white light". Your hanging lantern meets these requirements assuming it is white and bright enough. Since our boats are also less than 50 meters in length we have the option of "an all-round white light where it can best be seen". That would be the traditional all-round white anchor light at the top of the mast.

[AmandaRuth]

Bill - super helpful and thank you! I will consider this. The existing wiring is for the steaming light, but didn't know it was called that.

I was hoping to fix it without lowering the mast - so maybe I will do a short term fix and long term plan to replace all of that wiring.

Then I can address the anchoring light in the long term as well since you confirmed it would help me get by.

It's a pretty cool solar light that is inflatable. I don't anchor at night (yet) so it is just a temporary solution for an emergency.

[Be Free]

I don't think you will be able to fix the wiring properly without dropping the mast. You can reach the steaming light standing on the cabin top but you will find it much easier to pull the wiring if you remove the mast foot. It's not impossible, but it is certainly easier.

The boat is designed to make dropping the mast easy. Many of us do it multiple times a year.

It's been a while since I've had mine apart. If anyone has done it recently please chime in. IIRC the steaming light is riveted to the mast. You will need to drill out the old rivets and replace them when you are done. I think that the wires were connected to screws or bolts in the light fixture so it was easy to disconnect the wire; no soldering or splicing required. After you unrivet the light and remove the foot you can use the old wire to pull the new wire up (or down) the mast.

If you decide to replace the wire, that would be a good time to pull a wire all the way to the top of the mast for an anchor light if you plan to install one in the future. It's also a good time to pull coax for a VHF antenna if that is in your plans. Like I said, it's easy to drop the mast so you can do it another time if you don't want to do it all at once.

[AmandaRuth]

Bill - thanks this is very helpful info. With the prior owner, we lowered the mast every single time--so I'm sure I could recall how to do it easily. I will do that this spring and likely do the major wiring being suggested in this thread.

[Russ]

I replaced my steaming light bulb with an LED and added an LED anchor light on the top of the mast.

LEDs are usually polarity sensitive, so I used the same 2 wires connected to both fixtures. By reversing the polarity I can toggle anchor/steaming light and did not need to run more wires from the panel to the deck connector. I found this in the mods section. It works great.

[rsvpasap]

Just pointing out that a "steaming light" a/k/a "masthead light" on the face of your mast is not required if you have an all-around white light (anchor light) at the top of your mast, e.g., you can use the all around light at the top of the mast for both anchoring and for motoring at night.

33 CFR § 83.23 - Power-driven vessels underway

(a) A power-driven vessel underway shall exhibit:

(i) A masthead light forward;

(ii) A second masthead light abaft of and higher than the forward one; except that a vessel of less than 50 meters in length shall not be obliged to exhibit such light but may do so;

(iii) Sidelights; and

(iv) A sternlight.

(b) An air-cushion vessel when operating in the non-displacement mode shall, in addition to the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule, exhibit an all-round flashing yellow light where it can best be seen.

(c) A WIG craft only when taking off, landing and in flight near the surface shall, in addition to the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule, exhibit a high intensity all-round flashing red light.

(d) A power-driven vessel of less than 12 meters in length may, in lieu of the lights prescribed in paragraph (a) of this Rule, exhibit an all-round white light and sidelights.

[AmandaRuth]

rsvpasap - thank you!

[Russ]

Just pointing out that a "steaming light" a/k/a "masthead light" on the face of your mast is not required if you have an all-around white light (anchor light) at the top of your mast, e.g., you can use the all around light at the top of the mast for both anchoring and for motoring at night.

This is true, although on sailboats I've not seen this applied except in tri-colored nav lights.
Yet it makes a lot of sense to use the 360 light on the top. Especially when the aft-facing white running light is so often obscured by stuffs like the motor etc.

One could easily become legal by using the mast top 360degree light on a switch as long as used in conjunction with the red/green lights while under power.

With that said, top of mast lights have drawbacks as well. I was anchored in a quiet cove all by myself with my top of mast anchor light illuminated. A boat started approaching. They were headed right for us close. I was in the cockpit and then put a flashlight on and heard someone on the boat say, "Wait, there is a sailboat in there." I assume my tall anchor light looked like a star and they didn't see it.