In or Out the Mast...?

Ken13559 · Dec 19, 2011

the noise in the mast can be solve by having plastic cable ties along the length of the cables. don't cut-ff the tail of the cable ties so that it'll act against the internal wall of the mast, preventing slapping noise.

CPseudonym · Dec 19, 2011

Ken13559 said:
the noise in the mast can be solve by having plastic cable ties along the length of the cables. don't cut-ff the tail of the cable ties so that it'll act against the internal wall of the mast, preventing slapping noise.

That is perhaps the most elegantly simple solution to a problem I have heard. Great idea!

Jackdaw · Dec 20, 2011

I'm committing ken's wire tie solution to memory. That's brilliant.

The up-the-backstay wire run.... was that factory???

I would go masthead for your VHF. Remember VHF is line-of-site. In the Apostles we often relay VHF messages from boats with deck antennas. That disconnect you describe is common for both VHF and 12V cables.

If you are looking for a quick solution to your anchor/steaming light problem, think about getting a Davis Mega Light. Its a small light that draws very little power, on a long 12v cord. You can hang it from the front of the mast as a steaming light, and hang it off the boom as a evening cockpit light. Leave it on and its your anchor light. The bulb is very low power, but get brighter and lower power by switching the bulb to LED.

alexco38 · Dec 20, 2011

Some (my Isomat) mast has a pvc conduit inside to prevent tangle up with internal lines.

r.oril · Dec 20, 2011

I replaced my cables this year. It is a two person job, one to feed the zipped tied wires in the top light hole as the other pulls the line/cables out the bottom. They get hung up on the spreader/baby stay bolts. Make sure to make a wire diagram for the plug also.

PrincessoftheLake · Dec 20, 2011

Jackdaw said:
I'm committing ken's wire tie solution to memory. That's brilliant.

The up-the-backstay wire run.... was that factory???

I would go masthead for your VHF. Remember VHF is line-of-site. In the Apostles we often relay VHF messages from boats with deck antennas. That disconnect you describe is common for both VHF and 12V cables.

If you are looking for a quick solution to your anchor/steaming light problem, think about getting a Davis Mega Light. Its a small light that draws very little power, on a long 12v cord. You can hang it from the front of the mast as a steaming light, and hang it off the boom as a evening cockpit light. Leave it on and its your anchor light. The bulb is very low power, but get brighter and lower power by switching the bulb to LED.

Ooh, I want one of those. Where do you get it?

Jackdaw · Dec 20, 2011

Princess,

You can get the Davis light at West Marine and other places. MarineBeam sell the LED bulb. Or you can buy the whole slam from MarineBeam.... see

http://store.marinebeam.com/utanliwiduto.html

Merlin Clark · Dec 20, 2011

I used one of these for the wiring connection at the deck on the advice of guys on the trailer sailor forum: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...toreNum=50523&subdeptNum=50566&classNum=50570
Don't oversize the wiring if you go this way as the little screws that hold the wires in the female side will short against the inside of the housing. Don't ask how I know

.

Steve Dion · Dec 20, 2011

You may also check to see if your mast has a wire chase for the wires. If it does you can feed the wire into the tube.

I would use three ties at each location (120 deg apart) to contain the clanking.

Scott T-Bird · Dec 20, 2011

Run your wiring inside the mast but do yourself a favor and run the wires through a conduit. The size of the conduit depends on your mast size and the number & size of cables, obviously. Like somebody said, check your mast, it may already have a run for cables. Personally, I don't think there is any need to use the cable ties if you run the conduit. I've never heard any noise emanating from mine. Consider that if you have internal halyards and then you put cable ties on cables that aren't isolated with a conduit, then you may get snags that you don't want. It's easy to install a conduit. I ran mine at the leading edge, just like OEM. I fastened the conduit with periodic aluminum rivets. They can be small and they don't have to be SS, there is no load to speak of. While you have the mast down, it is a good project to upgrade all the lighting that you desire. I would suggest a combo steaming light & deck light (the advertising descriptions never seem to match but you should get the idea) and install it right about spreader level or a little higher.

dscribner · Dec 20, 2011

I used 1" diameter foam backer rod in 3" chunks. I strung the chunks like popcorn for a Christmas tree at about 12" O.C.. I get NO sound from the wires.

CPseudonym · Dec 20, 2011

dscribner said:
I used 1" diameter foam backer rod in 3" chunks. I strung the chunks like popcorn for a Christmas tree at about 12" O.C.. I get NO sound from the wires.

Another elegantly simple solution.

I am really starting to like this forum:dance:

85/Mac/25 · Dec 20, 2011

Squidd said:
When I got my boat the VHF antenna and the anchor light wires (2) were run externally down the back stay to the transom thru the locker and to panel and radio respectively...both are functional...

I do not have a steaming light... in the process of wireing one in I question weather I should run it "up, out and down" the backstay with the others...run it down and route it thru the saloon to DC panel ( leave others external)... or re route all the wires and antenna thru the keel steped mast- to saloon-to panel...?

The external wires are long enough to go down the mast tube and out a hole at base of mast,(which is already there) but I would have to cut them and splice in a "disconnect" for each as I pull the mast to transport home for the winter...and then extend them to the appropriate place in DC panel and to radio...

The other concern I have is "noise" from the wires banging around in the mast tube at dock and mooring...I've read of several peoples "complaints" of such, but not certain of their solution...

Is it worth the compromise of noise and extra work for the "protection" of the wires in mast, or are they fine running external (they are weather resistant cables) and I should just work out the steaming light issue...?

I have re-wired my Mac 25 and ran new wire up the mast for the anchor light and deck flood lights. We spend a lot of nights on the boat and did not want the clanging noise of the wire inside the mast. So I straped 12" wire ties around the wire about every 18" to 24" before I pulled the wire up the mast. As I pulled the wire up the mast and came to each tie I would curl the wire tie in so it would fit up the mast and then pull to the next tie. The ties are flexable enough to slid by any internal hardware and they suspend the wire from the sides. We do not have any clanging noise. I then installed a 3 prong deck connector so I can drop the mast when needed. Good Luck