I'm working on the mast for our Starwind 27 this winter and intend to replace the lights. We have the typical all-around anchor light up top and the masthead steamer midway up the mast. The electrical connection was a pair of 2-wire strands that connected into a 4-pin plug at the base of the mast. We have switches at the electrical terminal box at the nav station for anchor and steamer and we have the old style box with fuses. I am thinking of putting a masthead/floodlight combination in. I don't want a floodlight on the spreader and I thought this would be a good alternative. Does anybody have any feelings about this? I assume that the combination light will have a 3-way wiring connection (2 positives and a common ground?). Obviously, I do not want to have the floodlight on every time I switch on the steamer and will need a new separate switch for the floodlight. I assume that this will not work with the 4-pin connection (used for both anchor and steamer) that is currently popping out from the coach roof. I suppose I will have to bring new wires back to the box at the nav station. Where do I mount a switch for the floodlight? Can an exterior switch be mounted on the mast? Not a good idea? Should I just pick a convenient location near the companionway? I don't have an available switch at the box so I can't put it there I assume. I am pretty weak when it comes to electrical (as it is probably pretty obvious) and will have to do some research to size the wires correctly but I would appreciate a few helpful suggestions.
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That what I had on my San Juan 21
Yes you need a 3-way wiring up the mast. (2 positives and a common ground) I used 2 fused switches on the hot side (better for DC). I don't see why it wouldn't work with the 4 connection but you will still need to wire up the anchor light (with a switch). You can use the four conductor for this but you have to rewire all the grounds. If you lose ground you will lose all of the mast lights. Yes, an outdoor switch can be mounted at the mast but why would you want too? Do the job right and install a new switch protected by a fuse or DC circuit breaker. You can put the switch where ever you want. I wish boat manufactures would give us more DC spare breakers. I installled a entire panel in my SJ-21. The boat didn't have a DC system. Hope this helps!
Yes you need a 3-way wiring up the mast. (2 positives and a common ground) I used 2 fused switches on the hot side (better for DC). I don't see why it wouldn't work with the 4 connection but you will still need to wire up the anchor light (with a switch). You can use the four conductor for this but you have to rewire all the grounds. If you lose ground you will lose all of the mast lights. Yes, an outdoor switch can be mounted at the mast but why would you want too? Do the job right and install a new switch protected by a fuse or DC circuit breaker. You can put the switch where ever you want. I wish boat manufactures would give us more DC spare breakers. I installled a entire panel in my SJ-21. The boat didn't have a DC system. Hope this helps!
good idea
I'm no electrician but 12 volt systems are pretty easy to figure out. Running one common negative wire to both anchor and mast lights might be more work than it's worth, but if you did you could use the existing four way plug, 1 negative and 3 postitives for your anchor, steaming and flood lights. If it was me I would first look at the manufacturer's instructions for the product you're going to install. It may even come with the wire and hardware needed. No matter, you can always add another plug, I like the bullet type with plastic sleeves, or you could wire up a 5 way. You'll need to learn how to use a soldering iron if you want to do it right. I think this is an excellent project for an amateur like you and me and it will make you feel good when you complete it. As far as switch location, I'd keep it inside. Probably an externally mounted switch somewhere near the companion way. You will have to run at least one new wire back to the electrical box... the hot one for the new flood.
I'm no electrician but 12 volt systems are pretty easy to figure out. Running one common negative wire to both anchor and mast lights might be more work than it's worth, but if you did you could use the existing four way plug, 1 negative and 3 postitives for your anchor, steaming and flood lights. If it was me I would first look at the manufacturer's instructions for the product you're going to install. It may even come with the wire and hardware needed. No matter, you can always add another plug, I like the bullet type with plastic sleeves, or you could wire up a 5 way. You'll need to learn how to use a soldering iron if you want to do it right. I think this is an excellent project for an amateur like you and me and it will make you feel good when you complete it. As far as switch location, I'd keep it inside. Probably an externally mounted switch somewhere near the companion way. You will have to run at least one new wire back to the electrical box... the hot one for the new flood.
Thanks all ...
Sceptre, that looks like the Hella Marine light I was planning on selecting. I was looking in the West Catalogue and the Defender web site without even thinking of going to their website to get some more specific information about the wiring. I'm glad you pointed me in that direction.
Sceptre, that looks like the Hella Marine light I was planning on selecting. I was looking in the West Catalogue and the Defender web site without even thinking of going to their website to get some more specific information about the wiring. I'm glad you pointed me in that direction.
What I did
Not sure that this is anything different than what others have said--but. I have the mast on my 281 down and on saw horses for the winter so I decided to rewire my lights since this is the last time the mast will be dropped for a long time. I have an all around masthead anchor light with a black and a red wire. Midway up the mast I have a series 25 Aquasignal combo deck/steaming light/ fixture (west Marine pp. 702). This fixture requires a 3 wire connection. In my case, I used a triplex wire that had a red, a blue, and a black. I ran the wires from both fixtures out the bottom of the mast and soldered the black wires from both masthead and combo fixtures along with a separate piece of black wire pigtail long to reach my deck connector together. I sealed the solder connection with heat shrink and finished it with electrical tape. I shoved the excess wire up into the mast and and ran my now,4 wire installation through the mast hole/grommet to the deck connection. I've tested it all with 12v battery and everything works fine. Good luck
Not sure that this is anything different than what others have said--but. I have the mast on my 281 down and on saw horses for the winter so I decided to rewire my lights since this is the last time the mast will be dropped for a long time. I have an all around masthead anchor light with a black and a red wire. Midway up the mast I have a series 25 Aquasignal combo deck/steaming light/ fixture (west Marine pp. 702). This fixture requires a 3 wire connection. In my case, I used a triplex wire that had a red, a blue, and a black. I ran the wires from both fixtures out the bottom of the mast and soldered the black wires from both masthead and combo fixtures along with a separate piece of black wire pigtail long to reach my deck connector together. I sealed the solder connection with heat shrink and finished it with electrical tape. I shoved the excess wire up into the mast and and ran my now,4 wire installation through the mast hole/grommet to the deck connection. I've tested it all with 12v battery and everything works fine. Good luck
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