Lopolight tricolor/anchor lights

[Paul Cossman]

I currently have only an anchor light at my masthead, not a tricolor, so I only have two wires to that spot. I know how to wire a combination tricolor/anchor light with diodes and a DPDT switch to make it function correctly with only two wires. I intend to so do with a Lopolight tricolor/anchor combination (#200-207). However, the installation instructions say it will only function if the polarity is correct, and it comes with three wires. Has anybody successfully installed one of these particular combination Lopolights using the two-wire method? If so, did it function as expected, or have you experienced any difficulties?

Thanks,
Paul.

 

[Chuck Creel]

is the 3rd wire a common grnd and other wires for anchor , running lights pos leads?

 

[Paul Cossman]

is the 3rd wire a common grnd and other wires for anchor , running lights pos leads?

I think it would be. I don't have the light itself, just the drawings and installation instructions. That's why I was wondering if anybody has actually done the install. If the third wire is a common ground, as I suspect, the issue would be whether you could get into that wire in order to install a diode on each of the circuits. If the common wire is sealed inside the unit itself, then it seems you wouldn't be able to do it.

 

[Bill Roosa]

Gota have 3 wires

One to provide power to the anchor light, one to provide power to the tri-color and a single ground wire for both. No way around the physics unless you want to put a switch on the mast head

 

[Paul Cossman]

One to provide power to the anchor light, one to provide power to the tri-color and a single ground wire for both. No way around the physics unless you want to put a switch on the mast head

Thanks, Bill, a masthead switch never dawned on me!!

Really, though, I know you're right. It just is what it is, and I may as well resolve myself to just running another line up there.

Thanks,
Paul.

 

[Don12364]

Three Options

Paul,
herewith three suggestions:-

1) Use mast as common ground return - not very satisfactory for several reasons.

2) Mount small changeover relay at the masthead - again crude, old fashioned engineering.

3) Make small sealed box containing the attached circuit and mount at masthead.
You will probably need a junction box anyway.
LED lights run off a regulator so should not suffer reduction of output with two diodes in series. This is easy to check at home before making the box.
Also, last week, friends complained of one competitor in an overnight race that he disappeared when on port tack.
They looked into it and the Lopolight was mounted flat on the masthead plate but offset. The fitting cast a shadow when the boat heeled.
The junction box suggested here could be used to raise the light to overcome shielding by the masthead plate.