Hi All, I have a mast-project going on right now on my Catalina 30 w/ a 40 ft mast and wanted to ask a few questions regarding the re-wiring aspect of the job: - What gauge mast wiring should I use? I have an anchor light, steaming light and 2 spreader lights. - How does the plastic-tie method of securing all wiring inside the mast to avoid slapping against the inside wall work? In case your not familiar - it includes securing 4 12' plastic ties around the wiring bundle every 3-4 in star-like pattern with the tails flairing out. The tension on the excess tail against both the mast wall and each other will supposevly hold everyting suspended. any pro/cons with this? Seems much easier than runing a conduit and drilling rivot holes. It does not interfer with that halyards either. I have the wiring mentioned above for lighting along with a wind-instrument data line and VHF cable. thanks - Rob
Mast Wiring
- Thread starter Rob19574
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Plastic-Ties
Rob, I used the wire-tie method on a 32" mast with internal wire/rope halyards a few years ago and was extremely pleased with the result. The mast became totally silent! I spaced mine about every 18". I was worried about the halyards tangling with the wires but this never happened. I believe that the wire size that I used was about 14 guage Ancor pre-tinned wire as I don't like doing the same job twice. It was far better than the original, which was simply lamp cord. Alex O.
Rob, I used the wire-tie method on a 32" mast with internal wire/rope halyards a few years ago and was extremely pleased with the result. The mast became totally silent! I spaced mine about every 18". I was worried about the halyards tangling with the wires but this never happened. I believe that the wire size that I used was about 14 guage Ancor pre-tinned wire as I don't like doing the same job twice. It was far better than the original, which was simply lamp cord. Alex O.
Wire guage
Rob, The conductor size is dictated by the load, (amps), on the circuit and the conductor length. This means the distance from your panel to the mast head and back. This is probably 100 linear feet for your boat. Size the conductor for 3% voltage drop. Your anchor light probably a 25 watt bulb. Assuming that you have 12.6 volts, (nearly dead battery), 12 awg will get you the correct voltage drop. Please spend the $$$ for tinned copper wire and make great splices. This setup should serve you well for decades. Fair winds, Steve S/V Aurelia
Rob, The conductor size is dictated by the load, (amps), on the circuit and the conductor length. This means the distance from your panel to the mast head and back. This is probably 100 linear feet for your boat. Size the conductor for 3% voltage drop. Your anchor light probably a 25 watt bulb. Assuming that you have 12.6 volts, (nearly dead battery), 12 awg will get you the correct voltage drop. Please spend the $$$ for tinned copper wire and make great splices. This setup should serve you well for decades. Fair winds, Steve S/V Aurelia
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