Mast Lighting Problem

[Tom]

Mast Lighting ProblemI have owned and enjoyed a 1988 Ericson 26 for about a year and a half. During that time the Foredeck light portion of the Aqua Signal combination Masthead/Foredeck light on the mast just above the spreaders has never worked. (Yes, I checked the bulb.) Not a big problem, it’s not really necessary, just a convenience.Recently, the Masthead (Steaming) light portion also failed. It’s my understanding that it is required when under power at night. Upon investigation I found the whole combination light unit was non serviceable and purchased a new one. After removing the old unit I found that there was only a duplex (two) wire to the unit that powered only the Masthead light. The Foredeck light was not wired from the base of the mast. But there is a power wire for it from its switch to the plug at the base of the mast. Here’s the questions and request for any information or ideas.Should I just rewire the new light as before and forget about the Foredeck light?Should I wire them together so when the Masthead light is turned “ON” the Foredeck light also comes on? Is that a legal display of lights?Can I replace the duplex wire with a 3 wire without removing the mast, so I can operate the Foredeck light separately from the Masthead light? (I don’t mind the work if it’s possible to do.)The mast is made by Isomat Spars. Is there an internal track or tube that the new wire would have to feed down through or is the mast completely open internally? Can I just connect the old and new wire together and feed (pull) it down through the mast?Is all this too difficult a job while the mast is up and should I just wait until the next time the mast is removed in maybe a year or so?

 

[Sparrowhawk]

Thoughts

In your position, I would get both lights working. They need to be on separate circuits, so they can be independently operated. There are two ways to do this. One is to use the existing wire to pull a new three conductor wire up the mast. The other is to use diodes. (Diodes operate as check valves for electricity so the power can only go in one direction.) Unfortunately I saw a diagram a month ago in one of the sailing magazines (I think it was a British how to mag.) but I can't recall how it was wired. In general, when the power goes up the mast in one direction, it can reach one light and is blocked at the other. If it goes the other way, then it can only be used by the other light. (I believe this would be the better solution as the wire can be left in place and it only needs two diodes at the light and switches which can send the positive side up either wire.Good luck.

 

[Ron10127]

To

Scott is right,both lights should be working. I would say do the easies thing to get them lit, and then when the mast is down you can take your time and do it the way you think best. Saftey First!