Just ask mike

[aya16]

The battery box on the M will hold two group 24 batterys, I use the
largest deep cycle batterys from optuma ( I think thats how you spell it)
also install a perko battery switch. and make sure they are the optuma
deep cycle about 200 each.

As far as charging from the Tow car it can be done by running a lead to the back of your truck from the truck battery. (hint: walmart sells a heavy duty set of jumper cables for around 19 bucks) the wires are very thick and you only need the red one as the ground can be made from the frame in the back. Run the wire along the frame to a seperate heavy duty plug in the back of the truck.

useing the small wires from the tow plug to charge a battery wont work
you need to have a heavy wire direct from your truck battery. A dead battery in the mac will draw some serious amps from the truck alternator
and could burn up the small 16 gauge wires you use to run the tow lights

Now you need to run a wire from the mac trailer all the way back and install another plug in the back.

then you have to run a temp wire from the mac battery out to the plug you installed at the mac trailer. You can charge the two mac batterys at the same time this way.

Now all that is a little costly and you will have one more wire to corrode
on the mac trailer.
But you can buy a portable jump starter unit and keep that with you.

http://www.12vautotech.com/powerjump.html
many available anywhere


Thats what I use. There really isnt any real need to have a constant charge on the mac batterys as you tow. Unless you plan on running
something in the mac as you tow. Most people that do this sort of thing, do it to travel trailers because they run a fridge while they tow. In the mac
we have no power demands when we tow.

I have run such a plug to the back of my truck with the walmart jumper cable. I use this to power my power inflator for the dink, and power the electric tounge jack on my mac trailer.

Im far from expert more like shade tree.

[Compromise]

Glad to hear it was the fuse, where was it?

Just as you had suggested, within the first 4 feet under the center console.
Garmin told me to look close to the battery . Glad I found it, thanks again
Brian

[KEVIN'S OWN]

HI Mike, I have a question for you. We have a new , and so far have been enjoying finally getting the sails up correctly and sailing locally. The problem I have is that the cabin lights do not turn on. I've asked the people who sold us the boat - was told to check to see if the batteries were properly connected and also see if there are fuses in the box. We checked the batteries - since the engine starts and the VHF works I presume that they are functioning as they should. I've turned all the switches on the fuse box on and nothing! How do you check for a fuse? I've pressed the red square button labeled fuse thinking that it will pop out a bit enabling me to remove it but nothing happens; do you have to remove the entire panel to access the fuses? I'm sure it's something quite simple but this simple-mind can't seem to figure it out. Thanks in advance.

[kmclemore]

...I've pressed the red square button labeled fuse thinking that it will pop out a bit enabling me to remove it but nothing happens; do you have to remove the entire panel to access the fuses? I'm sure it's something quite simple but this simple-mind can't seem to figure it out. Thanks in advance.

Hi, Kevin (nice name, BTW) -

Your fix for checking the fuse (at least) is pretty easy. On the left side of that 'red square button' you'll see a little slot. Push in a small screwdriver blade and the 'red square button' will pop out and your fuse will be right behind it. Mind you don't lose the spring which is right behind the fuse and sometimes will fall out.

Described here.



Cheers,
Kevin

[KEVIN'S OWN]

Thanks Kevin for the information and the diagram. Will try this and hopefully it's as simple as "they forgot the fuses".

Heartly agree - it's a great name!

[aya16]

Kevin, Kevin is right , you also have a fuse right off the battery that came from the factory. Its in a little cheap single plastic holder and I think its 15 amps not sure. This fuse when broken or blown will cause the factory installed fuse panel to not get any voltage. You said the fuse panel lights up then that fuse is still working. Buuuutttt the single fuse is in a bad spot and is cheap non water proof plastic holder. I would (did) take this fuse out of the system.
at the very least I would put a good water proof fuse holder in its place.
your engine will start if this fuse breaks but you wont have any running lights or any thing else that is run to the fuse panel.

[KEVIN'S OWN]

Thanks AYA16 for your reply. If I read this correctly, this fuse is located where the batteries are - under the ladder? You don't really need this fuse? The strange thing is the VHF works and the engine works but no cabin lights come on. Have never looked for running lights so this weekend will have to see where they are and if they work.

Too bad we forgot to bring the diagram out with us this past weekend - there was little to no wind and it would have been the perfect time to check out the system. Will keep plugging away to get everything working!

[aya16]

fuse is located starbard side bin lid under the back bed by the batterys. about a foot from the batterys. Its still good if your fuse panel lights light up when you switch on. if you have no lights more then likely that fuse I talked about.
No you dont need it as long as everything is wired to the fuse panel.

Most everything else you install yourself will have a seperate fuse that came with the product ie. radio, I only want one fuse to control those Items because if you short out and blow a fuse your going to blow two.
and trying to remember where all those fuses are is a pain. Thats why everything should go to a fuse panel. and better yet a circuit breaker panel.

Most fuses I have ever blown was from me hooking something up wrong and having to change the fuse I blew.

the crappy fuse panel that comes with the Mac that Keven shows is just that, crappy. I think it comes with 10 amp fuses and only what 5 connections?
Two are taken up by the running lights and anchor light one is for the lights in the cabin that leaves two aux for other junk.

[Teejay]

Speaking of the mac's electrical panel, my stern light will only come on with the bow nav light. The mast light is on it's own switch. My question is, when we anchor for the night, I have been leaving the mast light on, but should the stern light also be on? All power boats I have owned had the stern light on it's own switch as well as the nav lights.

Thanks.

[Bobby T.-26X #4767]

Speaking of the mac's electrical panel, my stern light will only come on with the bow nav light. The mast light is on it's own switch. My question is, when we anchor for the night, I have been leaving the mast light on, but should the stern light also be on? All power boats I have owned had the stern light on it's own switch as well as the nav lights.

Thanks.

you need a real anchor light at the top of the mast. there are mods on this site that discuss how it's mounted and wired. that is, you can use your existing Masthead light switch and then run two wires up the mast (one is currently already going up) with a "on-off-on" 3 way switch. so wither the anchor light is on or the masthead light is on. both getting their power from the masthead switch on the main board.

Bob T.
"DaBob"
'02X w/ '04 90-TLDI & '06 2.5-Suzuki

[aya16]

The mast light that comes with the Mac is about half way up
the mast as you noticed, the running lights also as you noticed have a seperate switch.

The only time you want to use the running lights is when your moveing.
use the mast light when anchored. I guess your supposed to run it when moored but I dont. It runs the battery down some. Like Bobby said some have run wires all the way up the mast inside and installed a anchor light.
If you do this try and use an led lamp as it wont run the battery down as fast. But to me its a hassle so I just use what came with the boat.

When your sailing your supposed to just use the mast white light at night
(if im wrong some one correct me) not the running lights, red green.
But again I want to be seen fore and aft and if sailing at night (rare) i do use the running lights too. The reason I do this...Where I sail there is a lot of traffic day and night, And people that are out at night are sometimes tired and a little drunk. Not to mention the freighters.
I want them to have every chance to see me. So I look like a dork with running lights when I sail. Also a cheap radar reflector would be nice.

another thing at night is your night vision, None of the white lights should be pointed at you. I have found that the gps map I have is too bright at night and will kill my night vision.

Long answer to your question sorry..One more thing the whole point of the anchor/ mast light is to be legal. But you really want to be seen
as you sleep in a nice cove. I would run a coleman small gas lantern
outside the boat some where it wont get tipped over all night.

The Mac switch turns on the front and rear running lights as you said
and there is no way just to turn the stern light on. Unless you rewired it.

[James V]

There has been some discussion on this in other forums and books. A light on the top of the mast is way up there and some powerboaters do not look that high up at night or at least execpt a boat to be under it. A light closer to the water would help. Also a light above the cockpit helps boarding at night and to prevent crime.

West marine sells a LED all around white light with a photo cell and plugs into a 12v outlet. Nice to put on the boom or bimini.

[Frank C]

... The only time you want to use the running lights is when your moveing, use the mast light when anchored. ...

When your sailing your supposed to just use the mast white light at night
(if im wrong some one correct me) not the running lights, red green.

Correction (as requested)

True that the running lights are only needed when moving, and only at dusk or dark. But the running lights (red/green/aft-white) are used when sailing, not the mast light (aka "steaming light"). The purpose of red/green lights when moving at night . . . regardless of his vantage point, they permit a distant observer to determine the direction in which you are moving.

When motoring after dark, you still must use the running lights, plus you must also use the mast light. From a distance at night, the mast light (showing above the running lights) indicates a boat under power and heading in the observer's general direction. The following diagram illustrates night visibility of a boat under power ....


When boating at night remember the following:
"When two lights you see ahead, turn your helm and show your red".

(Click here for flash-movie quiz, using nav lights in motion after dark.)

Edit to Add pic, edit to add link.
P.S. the mast light is 12 feet above deck or about 15' off the water. From any distance beyond 50 yards, it's nearly impossible for a bystander to NOT NOTICE both lights moving across his visual background - moving simultaneously, both the white steaming light, AND depending on relative headings, either the red or green running light.

[Chip Hindes]

The only time you want to use the running lights is when your moveing use the mast light when anchored. I guess your supposed to run it when moored but I dont...When your sailing your supposed to just use the mast white light at night (if im wrong some one correct me) not the running lights, red green.

Start over.

At night when underway, you light the running lights: the red-green port-starboard combo light on the bow, and the white stern light. That's why they're on the switch labeled "running lights." Running lights only is an indication that you are under sail and are entitled to the right of way as a sailboat.

The white light on the mast is called the masthead light; some call it the steaming light. It is lit in combination with the running lights only when powering, and that's why it's on a separate switch on a sailboat, but not on a powerboat. Although I don't believe it is technically illegal to light the masthead while sailing, it's a bad idea because others will assume you're a power boat with full powerboat maneuverability, not entitled to the right of way as a sailboat.

You never light the masthead light separately.

When at anchor outside a designated anchorage, you light a single "all round" light called, appropriately an anchor light. Many add one of these at the top of the mast, but it is not the masthead light, and running the mashead light as an anchor light is not proper because it does not show astern.

When in a designated anchorage, you're not required to show an anchor light, but most do anyway.

If you're going to boat at might, you owe it to yourself and others to show correct lighting and to learn what the lights of others mean when you see them in each combination.

[Catigale]

Although I don't believe it is technically illegal to light the masthead while sailing, it's a bad idea because others will assume you're a power boat with full powerboat maneuverability, not entitled to the right of way as a sailboat.

I wrestled with this one myself. The 'correct thing' to do is not light the mast light (steaming light, halfway up the mast) while sailing but Ive never seen the regs say you have to turn it off while sailing, just that you must turn it on while motoring

On edit - the above is indeed buried in the regs, with language something like "you should use the following lights and no others"....so by the book, lighting the masthead light while sailing is wrong.

However, one could argue you balance the risk of 'giving up' your right of way as a sailboat against making you much more visible by having it on..

Ive noticed on Ontario everyone sails with their steaming lights on..on the Cape, almost nobody...