Only two wires for anchor light and steaming light

[Jeff22156]

Dear O Day Owners,
I have a 1979 25 ft O day Sailboat.
I was checking the wiring from the deck to the mast and only found one set of wires for both the anchor light and steaming light.
Did O Day only set up one switch and one set of wires for both lights in 1979 production?
Thank you for your input

 

[Justin_NSA]

Not knowing how your is wired, they could have done what I'm doing. A single SPDT switch for both lights. You still need a return unless they are using the mast as a ground conductor.

 

[Jeff22156]

Justin,
Thank you for your quick response.
Respectfully,
Jeff

 

[Justin_NSA]

You're welcome Jeff. I'm bored. Everyone has already left for the holiday
A SPDT switch lets you select either light from a single source. My lights came on separate switches so I'm combining them to free up a switch. I'm using it for the deck light a PO never hooked up properly

 

[LeslieTroyer]

if by set you mean two wires running up the mast - and driving two lights (which can not be both on at the same time) - and assuming they didn't use the mast a current carrier (ground wire) - then they must have a pair of diodes at the lights and switch the polarity on the wires to get one or the other to turn on. In this case you would need a DPDT switch.

Using the mast as a current carrier is not good engineering.

If there are three or more wires running up there - it could indeed be as Justin described.

 

[Pat]

Justin, if you get really bored, we can try and get my steaming light and anchor light working.....sometimes they do and many times they do not....they are ganged together on a single switch...in the last year neither have worked....I think the issue is the deck connection, but Frank Couch has checked the wiring and can find nothing wrong...I only ask that you not get bored on a cold windy day...patrick

 

[Justin_NSA]

Hi Patrick. I'm not that bored, but I can help you when it warms up. I was at the yard yesterday working on it and my new holding tank monitor. Weather-wise it was much different than today was!
I discovered that both light cables run thru a single conduit and there's a lot of resistance. I think I have a plan now how to pull the newer, heavier cable thru without losing the end inside. The next break in the weather I hope to find out.