O'Day 192 Mast/Spreader Electrical Question

[Zorba]

I've owned this 1988 for a year now and it's been a great little boat. But I do have a "mystery electrical line" that I haven't been able to figure out. On the mast, both port and starboard, just at the spreaders, there's an electrical wire (black/red/ that comes out of the mast and was then just tied off and at the end of the spreaders basically just hanging there. It's not connected to anything at all but it does appear to be factory or a professionally installed....something. I thought that I'd figure it out at the beginning of the season this year and expected some problem of some type because of it. But all my electrical works perfectly including my anchor light, mast night, stern and bow lights, cabin lights, and accessory plugs. I'd like to just cut it off now but wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something. A friend thought maybe it was some sort of lights - decorative or functional - for the spreaders. Either way it doesn't seem like I'm missing anything. Any ideas what it might be?

 

[Fly_H23]

Maybe someone had some lights mounted on the spreaders to light the deck?

 

[Zorba]

Could be, Fly. If that's the case I'm going to get rid of them. It was in a slip all season and bugged the heck out of me every time I saw them. Now with the mast down I can easily remove them. Anyone else?

 

[Joe11688]

I've owned this 1988 for a year now and it's been a great little boat. But I do have a "mystery electrical line" that I haven't been able to figure out. On the mast, both port and starboard, just at the spreaders, there's an electrical wire (black/red/ that comes out of the mast and was then just tied off and at the end of the spreaders basically just hanging there. It's not connected to anything at all but it does appear to be factory or a professionally installed....something. I thought that I'd figure it out at the beginning of the season this year and expected some problem of some type because of it. But all my electrical works perfectly including my anchor light, mast night, stern and bow lights, cabin lights, and accessory plugs. I'd like to just cut it off now but wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something. A friend thought maybe it was some sort of lights - decorative or functional - for the spreaders. Either way it doesn't seem like I'm missing anything. Any ideas what it might be?

The wires were probably going to be used for lighting up the deck at night. The PO probably ran them and never finished hooking up the lights. It might be a good idea to make sure that the wires aren't tied into your mast head anchor light if you have one at the top of your mast. If not I would just cut them off. If you have an anchor light at the top of your mast, there should only be two wires feeding it, a black (negative) and a red (positive) from inside the cabin.

 

[Zorba]

The wires were probably going to be used for lighting up the deck at night. The PO probably ran them and never finished hooking up the lights. It might be a good idea to make sure that the wires aren't tied into your mast head anchor light if you have one at the top of your mast. If not I would just cut them off. If you have an anchor light at the top of your mast, there should only be two wires feeding it, a black (negative) and a red (positive) from inside the cabin.

Yes, I have a functioning anchor light at the top of the mast. If there's just the two wires then I'm going to cut these out like you suggest. Thanks!

 

[Joe11688]

Yes, I have a functioning anchor light at the top of the mast. If there's just the two wires then I'm going to cut these out like you suggest. Thanks!

If the ends of the wires are taped up Zorba, you may want to check and make sure that they aren't tied into the anchor light wires. He may have just decided to keep the spreader lights and use them on another boat.
If he had them electrified, chances are that he made the connection for them in the mast head light. When you lower your mast to within reaching distance of a step ladder, you could test the wire before you unplug it at the mast by turning on the mast light. If you have a 12v DC test light or a Volt Meter, skin the ends of the wire and check the voltage. If you don't have a test light or VM you could touch the ends together. If they are hot, then it will kick the automatic breaker in the cabin and the anchor light will go out.

 

[RichBone]

Could be for a steaming light. Does it look like there was a light mounted on the front of the mast?

Rich

 

[Zorba]

Could be for a steaming light. Does it look like there was a light mounted on the front of the mast?

Rich

Rich,

I have a steaming light and an anchor light - both functioning - so that's not it. After checking everything twice+ I'm cutting them off but will keep the wires in place, inside the mast, so I don't have an "uh oh" moment in the future.

Best,

-Z