mast access / electrical problem

[Mike B]

Check both bulbs

Stephen, strange as this may sound, if you haven't done so already check both bulbs in the combined unit. I have a similiar unit on my boat and have had problems where it appeared my steaming light was bad only to find out it was a bad deck light bulb. Seems as though the two bulbs are in series which of course means when you lose one you also lose the other. I replaced the deck light bulb and now they both work. It gives all the appearances of a wiring problem but it isn't.Mike

 

[jimq26]

I know - you guys up there follow all the rules.

You know, the sailors on Georgian Bay are by and large much better than what we see down here. I have done many race regattas up there so I speak from experience.Look forward to hearing what you find.Glad StephenK. has found some good info from the postings.Good point about the bulbs possibly being in a series. Had that problem on a Shark 24 many years ago.

 

[jimq26]

croberts - here's a link to show lights under 12m.

(nm)

 

[Stephen K]

what brand?

Mike that's interesting information...what brand fixture is it? I'm not sure that's my problem...I have 2 seperate DC circuits and both were "on"...the deck light was on and I replaced the steaming light with a good bulb while up there...still no light. I tried to use my voltmeter (hands were shaking) had current at the deck light and couldn't get a reading at the steaming light. I might check it again. At least I'll be a little more comfortable going aloft next time.

 

[Bill Roosa]

Power to the light

Exactly how do you know there is no power to the light? If you tried to test against a ground on the mast that will not work unless your lightning grounding system is tied into a common ground point. The mast is usually not grounded so 12 volts at the power to the lamp can only return via its dedicated ground wire. You may have a bad ground too. Most boats have one connector plug for all the mast wiring. If the other lights are working then you can assume the ground is OK but that begs the question; how can only one wire in a 4-5 wire plug be bad?Corrosion on the lamp terminals is a much more likely cause. I've seen some that looked OK but did not work, couldn't even get 0.1 volts on the volt meter. 5 minutes with some fine sandpaper and she worked fine.It's worth a shot before you un-step the mast.

 

[Mike B]

Don't know the brand

Stephen, sorry but I don't what brand it is. I have a 2002 Benny 361 if that helps you search for it. For what it's worth your last thread is exactly what I ran into. Both breakers were on, panel lights were on, etc. After the trip up the mast I remembered the series issue, took up a new bulb on the next trip and fixed the beast. My buddy who cranked me up didn't appreciate my poor memory but a couple of cold beers took care of that. Oh yea I appreciate the comments on going up the mast. The first couple of times I was just a little bit tense to say the least. Still haven't gone to the top. Hope that doesn't happen for a while yet.Mike

 

[Stephen K]

one more try

Bill, it is one common plug and the other "mast" lights (masthead anchor and deck light) both work...could be corrosion at the bulb contact points on the steaming light. The fixture is only 12 months old and I did not see any corrision, but given what you said...its possible. It could also be the series wiring issue. One more time up the mast to test both. Time to break out the mast mate and bosun's chair.

 

[Bill Roosa]

99% of all electrical problems are corrosion

Good luck

 

[Scott B]

Jim our steaming light

comes on at the top of the mast, shining 270 deg. forward, the anchor light is 360 deg. The running lights turns on the red/green and stern white lights.

 

[jimq26]

Interesting set-up Scott.

I suspect your steaming light would comply with the required 225 degree arc and not the 270 degree arc you mentioned. Your set-up is totally legal, and makes good sense when coupled with your regular nav lighting.Time to go down to the harbour - taking down the stick today."Rule 21Definitions--International(a) "Masthead light" means a white light placed over the fore and aft centreline of the vessel showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 225 degrees and so fixed as to show the light from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on either side of the vessel."

 

[Scott B]

I could be off by a couple of degrees

I looked up to the top of the mast and assumed it was 270, but is most likely 225, boat's only 2 years old I'm sure they would have built it to reg.sOne thing about having our boat up here and having a travel-lift on site, most don't take their masts down over the winter.

 

[Stephen K]

update...and thanks to all

especially Bill and Mike. This past weekend I replaced the steaming light bulb and sanded the contact points at the fixture and at the electical panel. I also removed the stbd. side sheave at the mast base to access the electrical wire and wiggled it around. I am happy to report that at dusk I tuned on the switch and the steaming light was ON! I don't know which part fixed the problem, but thanks to your help from this forum the problem was solved...and without pulling the mast or cutting a hole in the mast.