Mast head strobe or not to strobe

[mkb]

My S2 6.8 has a Strobe/Tri/Anchor light on the masthead.
There is also a deck light on the mast. Unfortunately the mast wiring and connector is for 3 conductors and ground (4 total). So there are not enough conductors to support all 4 lights (running, anchor, strobe & deck).

I think I'll use the deck light much more than I'd ever use the strobe (for emergency signaling only as I understand it) and so I'm inclined to abandon the strobe and use the deck light. Most boats don't have the strobe & I can buy an LED flashlight with strobe and SOS signaling for $39, which I think it more useful.

I'd appreciate any opinions. Has anyone figured out a slick way of supporting the 4 lights with only three conductors?

Thanks!

 

[BobM]

Do yourself a favor. Use the existing 3 conductor wire to pull a new wire with the appropriate number of conductors. Mast wiring tends to have a short life span. Since your mast is down and you can work on it, my vote would be to bite the bullet and replace it since it is convenient to do so. My other vote would be to ignore the strobe function as it isn't a generally accepted distress signal to my knowledge.

 

[mkb]

Thanks Bob for the reply. I agree about the mast wiring it probably could stand to be replaced. The real probably is getting another circuit pulled up to the mast. That's where it gets to be a bear. I think I'll just bag the strobe and have the three lights that can be used for sure.

 

[woodster]

if you have to pull new wireing through your mast ....you will find an electricians FISH TAPE the metal kind very helpful in dong this.....before you buy one .....maybe you know an active electrician that would be willing to share theres for an afternoon and a guinnis or two ......

 

[BobM]

If you could poll all the sailboat owners at a given marina my experience tells me that less than 50% of the boat owners could attest to the fact that ALL of their mast lights are functional. Don't bet on yours until you test it. Also, based on my experience it is never just a bulb.