mast and steaming light

[Rick]

This past weekend while I was out for the night I turned on my Hunter 26 (1996)mast light and as a result I have a couple of questions. First, when I turned on the mast light it was visible only from the stern. I could not see if from the bow. I thought mast lights had to be visible for 360 degrees.Is there a second bulb that's part of the standard Hunter 26 mast light system? Second, when I turned on the steaming light switch nothing else came on other than the mast light that had already been on. On standard feature H-26s, is there supposed to be another light that comes on for steaming? Unlike many production boats, my Hunter did not come with a separate steaming light fixture affixed about a third of the way up on the front side of the mast. What's the story?

 

[Alan]

I have a '94 h26 and...

...the fixture is a two part masthead light. In the "steaming" position the front part should light. In the other setting (forgot what it's called) the front and rear part (two bulbs) should come on. If not consider shorts up top, in the mast, at the deck plug (corrosion), at the three position switch or a dead bulb or corroded socket. My boat had a failure from corrosion at the deck socket and from butt connectors comming loose at the mast head. Right now the wires are tapped directly into the deck socket. When I turn on the steaming light both lamps come on for a minute or two then the rear goes off (should not come on). I'll fix that short (not dangerous) anyday now. It's hard to see the foward bulb (steaming light)unless dark and/or you are well foward of the boat or at it's side. And the steaming light if viewed from the side looks like it may be all around. I carry battery opperated emergency nav lights in case. alan

 

[GailForce]

Deck Connection

Rick,I have an H26 1996 and had similar problems with mine from time to time. Our problem was always in the deck connection. Either dirty contact pins or a wire in the the male plug that had come loose.Good Luck.JeffS/V Festivity

 

[Rick]

thanks

Good advice. I'll check into both suggestions.

 

[Jim Loats]

Mine is wired backwards some where.

In my '95 H26 the switch is wired backwards. I am goin to fix it by changing the labels!!I also had to rewire the deck plug. The manual helped me get the connections correct. Hunter did a neat job on this unit. For steaming, only the forward bulb is lit. For anchor, the switch puts both lights in series. It reduces the load on the battery and slightly dims both bulbs.JimS/V Grizzly Bear