Lights out atop mast

[Scott Blahnik]

Sorry to ask 2 questions in a row, but I've got my "to do" list right in front of me.Last weekend I couldn't get any of the lights atop the mast to work. I'm thinking it could be a bulb out, but aren't there at least two? It seems too much of a coincidence for two bulbs to go out at once. So, my question is, where would you start on this repair job? I'm thinking that I should replace the circut breaker on the panel, as that would be easy and I won't have to climb the mast with my bosun's chair.I do not believe it is going to be easy getting to the very top. Last time I went up was to install the halyard for the spinnaker, and to reach the very top would be at least another 4 feet that I would have to shimmy. Anybody have any experience changing bulbs up there?ScottS/V Hello Dolly

 

[Jim Covey]

Connector

Scott,From you other post I think you have a 270? If so, you can check the connector at the base of the mast for corrosion and to see if you have power. You should have a 3 or 4 prong connector, 1 will be ground, 1 steaming and 1 anchor. If you flip your switch to the anchor position (360 deg. light) you should have power on the steaming and anchor prongs. That will help determine if the problem is "up or down" from there.Good luck,Jim

 

[Scott Blahnik]

Thanks, jim

great suggestion! If I've got power at the connector I'll know it must be burned bulbs. But I've been thinking about it.The compass light is also out, along with two of the cabin lights. A lightening strike could have done it.Has anybody ever had something like this happen with lightening?