So my head cabin light had been intermittantly working. Sometimes several flicks of the switch do the trick, but it's been getting worse. A simple switch fix, I thought. I unscrewed the light fixture & as it lowered, the crimp connection a few inches above the light was so corroded it literally fell apart as I lowered it... Still a simple fix...again, wrong assumption. I thought new crimp connections would do the trick (I bought the sealed heat shrink type, they are great). Reconnected both wires and...Nothing. Matter of fact, now the two v-berth lights, the nav light and the quarter berth light all don't work!!!!! (the two salon cabin lights did work though). I have pulled the wiring diagram (see link). I must not be very apt at reading these things as I can't tell if only one set of related wires runs to the bow and I may have disturbed the fragile connection when I lowered the Light fixture in the head. All wiring is original. Any help on how the wires are configured and located for the cabin lights is appreciated!
- Status
If one or two crimp (butt) connectors failed
right at the light, what makes you think any of the rest of them are trustworthy? There was a recent post on a stern light problem, same issue, old boat wiring and poor connections. Many have simply replaced all of their wiring, others have done it step-by-step, your boat, your choice.
right at the light, what makes you think any of the rest of them are trustworthy? There was a recent post on a stern light problem, same issue, old boat wiring and poor connections. Many have simply replaced all of their wiring, others have done it step-by-step, your boat, your choice.
Same Type Of Problem
I had a similiar problem a little over a year ago on my 1977 C30. The v-berth lights and the bow lights would not work. With a tester and a long piece of wire I found that the ground wire was shot just after the head. I ran a new ground forward and hid it behind the beeding that covers the hull / deck joint along the port side. Then ran it out to the port v-berth light and then everything started working again. Cliff Carter PlusOne C-30 #598
I had a similiar problem a little over a year ago on my 1977 C30. The v-berth lights and the bow lights would not work. With a tester and a long piece of wire I found that the ground wire was shot just after the head. I ran a new ground forward and hid it behind the beeding that covers the hull / deck joint along the port side. Then ran it out to the port v-berth light and then everything started working again. Cliff Carter PlusOne C-30 #598
Hi Cliff
I purchased a Cat 30 1977 hull # 593. I noted that you have # 598. I really like the boat and enjoy it with my wife. It has a Yanmar YSB 12 and a Tall rig/bow sprit. Have you had any significant problems or made any upgrades to yours? I expect it will be my last boat as I am pushing 63. Real easy to sail. I want to put on lazy jacks and run the main halyard back to the cockpit next year. I have a Harken furler for the jib. So I will take down the mast and install new sheaves for the halyards and new nav lights. Any comments would be appreciated. Fair winds. John jybiom@yahoo.com
I purchased a Cat 30 1977 hull # 593. I noted that you have # 598. I really like the boat and enjoy it with my wife. It has a Yanmar YSB 12 and a Tall rig/bow sprit. Have you had any significant problems or made any upgrades to yours? I expect it will be my last boat as I am pushing 63. Real easy to sail. I want to put on lazy jacks and run the main halyard back to the cockpit next year. I have a Harken furler for the jib. So I will take down the mast and install new sheaves for the halyards and new nav lights. Any comments would be appreciated. Fair winds. John jybiom@yahoo.com
Trailer Connectors In Boats
Catalina Yachts installed trailer connectors for the multiple interior light runs in my 1990 Catalina 34. These are the connectors you'll see used by rental yards for temporally hooking up trailer lights. They allow you to clamp over an existing wire and then add a second wire. When I begun to experience the problems you're having, I replaced these connectors. I used a multi connect crimp connectors. These look like a typical crimp connector, but it's shaped like a Y. This allows you to tee into an existing circuit. The advantage is it's a crimped connection and you can use heat shrink, etc. Unfortunately wiring was not Catalina's strong suit, non-tinned wire, no heat shrink, trailer connectors, etc. Gook Luck
Catalina Yachts installed trailer connectors for the multiple interior light runs in my 1990 Catalina 34. These are the connectors you'll see used by rental yards for temporally hooking up trailer lights. They allow you to clamp over an existing wire and then add a second wire. When I begun to experience the problems you're having, I replaced these connectors. I used a multi connect crimp connectors. These look like a typical crimp connector, but it's shaped like a Y. This allows you to tee into an existing circuit. The advantage is it's a crimped connection and you can use heat shrink, etc. Unfortunately wiring was not Catalina's strong suit, non-tinned wire, no heat shrink, trailer connectors, etc. Gook Luck
- Status