On my 22 there is a housing right next to the mast bracket that has 2 wires to connect the mast lights to the the rest of the electric system. These wires have rotted and need to be replaced. I cannot trace their origin inside the cabin. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks
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on my 75 oday 22
usually they run down into cabin along bulkhead wall and under the portside bunk back to the panel
usually they run down into cabin along bulkhead wall and under the portside bunk back to the panel
Mast lighting
Jay, You say mast lights. So I take it that you have an anchor light at the top of the mast, and a steaming light about 2/3 of the way up the mast for motoring at night, or a spreader light. In either case, you would have three wires going up your mast. One wire would be a negative or ground for both lights, and the other two wires would come from two separate switches at your electric panel going to each light. If nothing is marked on your fuse panel, then you're going to have to ring the wires out somehow. With the main breaker off, try to get at the wires inside the cabin, where they go through the top of the cabin near the mast. Chances are, these wires are in good condition being protected inside the cabin. Cut the wires where you think you could make a splice for new wires from that point. Separate the wires as much as possible and skin the insulation a little at the end. Then use a tester or volt meter to check if you have power after turning on the main breaker and flipping one switch at a time. If the wires aren't color coded, a volt meter is best for this test because you can find out which wire is the negative by sticking the red wire from the volt meter on it and the black on the positive wire. The needle on the volt meter will want to go backward instead of forward. Otherwise, you should get a 12 volt reading between the negative, and each wire coming from the switch. This procedure will help you identify the wires and switches. I'd splice some new wires on to the existing wires in the cabin and run the new wires to the receptacle near the mast. They sell crimp connectors that have a heat shrink tube on them. Just crimp them on and apply a little heat to the insulating shrink tube and the splice is protected and insulated. Just tuck the wires back in, and you're all set. Check out this site and click on to "Tools and techniques." You may find some info on wiring. Good luck. Joe
Jay, You say mast lights. So I take it that you have an anchor light at the top of the mast, and a steaming light about 2/3 of the way up the mast for motoring at night, or a spreader light. In either case, you would have three wires going up your mast. One wire would be a negative or ground for both lights, and the other two wires would come from two separate switches at your electric panel going to each light. If nothing is marked on your fuse panel, then you're going to have to ring the wires out somehow. With the main breaker off, try to get at the wires inside the cabin, where they go through the top of the cabin near the mast. Chances are, these wires are in good condition being protected inside the cabin. Cut the wires where you think you could make a splice for new wires from that point. Separate the wires as much as possible and skin the insulation a little at the end. Then use a tester or volt meter to check if you have power after turning on the main breaker and flipping one switch at a time. If the wires aren't color coded, a volt meter is best for this test because you can find out which wire is the negative by sticking the red wire from the volt meter on it and the black on the positive wire. The needle on the volt meter will want to go backward instead of forward. Otherwise, you should get a 12 volt reading between the negative, and each wire coming from the switch. This procedure will help you identify the wires and switches. I'd splice some new wires on to the existing wires in the cabin and run the new wires to the receptacle near the mast. They sell crimp connectors that have a heat shrink tube on them. Just crimp them on and apply a little heat to the insulating shrink tube and the splice is protected and insulated. Just tuck the wires back in, and you're all set. Check out this site and click on to "Tools and techniques." You may find some info on wiring. Good luck. Joe
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