Jean and I were on our boat this weekend at the sellers slip. The dock power is not functional, so the seller provided a generator for lights and a fan. We turned on the nav lights, with the generator running and they worked. However the top of the mast light didn't work. The seller said that there is power at the fixture, and it probably just needs a bulb.
Question #1- What exactly are the regulations regarding the top of mast light??? FYI, the bow red and green both work and there is a white stern light that works as well. As I understand, we need the R/G forward nav lights, a top of mast, and a stern white light if under power. Is this correct?
Question #2- We never checked the nav lights without the generator running, because even at night , we had a box fan running since it was so hot... Not a good excuse, I know, but so be it. Theoretically, they should run off the battery, right?
Question #3- What charges the battery if you are under sail?
Question #4- We have a 9.9 hp yamaha outboard. Does it have an alternator that charges the battery...or what DOES charge the battery when running under power?
Question #5- How would we know if we have enough power to run our lights at night for 12 hours? We plan to sail the Atlantic with a captain or motor the ICW if weather does not permit, so having these issues resolved is upmost in our minds...
Thanks so much for any guidance...
Jesse
Question #1- What exactly are the regulations regarding the top of mast light??? FYI, the bow red and green both work and there is a white stern light that works as well. As I understand, we need the R/G forward nav lights, a top of mast, and a stern white light if under power. Is this correct?
Question #2- We never checked the nav lights without the generator running, because even at night , we had a box fan running since it was so hot... Not a good excuse, I know, but so be it. Theoretically, they should run off the battery, right?
Question #3- What charges the battery if you are under sail?
Question #4- We have a 9.9 hp yamaha outboard. Does it have an alternator that charges the battery...or what DOES charge the battery when running under power?
Question #5- How would we know if we have enough power to run our lights at night for 12 hours? We plan to sail the Atlantic with a captain or motor the ICW if weather does not permit, so having these issues resolved is upmost in our minds...
Thanks so much for any guidance...
Jesse