rewire of mast light

[bruce]

I need to replace the wiring, light and cabin top plug for my mast light on a Hunter 23.5. How difficult a job is that? How might I go about accomplishing it? The wiring has been completely stripped out of the mast.Cheers!Bruce LittleS/V Cherokee Lullaby

 

[Sean Coerse]

Rewire

Unstep the mast. Use an electrician tape going from the mast head to the base. Attach the wires to the tape pull it through. If you still have the female deck plug in the deck you can order the male from Hunter. Attach the wires I think its 3 not positive. You can get the replacement light from Boat US, West, Sailnet, ect. Fairly straight forward.

 

[Brian]

another note..

Rewiring the mast is like wiring a giant lamp. I did so on the h23 because I didn't have an anchor light and wanted a set of spreader flood lights for the late nights coming in. Make sure you use marine grade ('tinned' I think it is called) wire. good luck

 

[Jim Covey]

While your at it...

Consider putting nylon tie wraps on the wire every 3 or 4 feet, leave the tail in place. This will keep the wire from banging inside the mast while at rocking at anchor or at the dock.Jim

 

[Wanderer138]

Also...

Spend the extra money and get heavier gauge wire (no smaller than 12AWG). The run up the mast is pretty long AND the current has to come back so the potential for voltage drop (no pun intended) is quite high. Heavier wire will ensure that all your juice gets to the light instead of being wasted in the wires as heat.PeterH23 "Raven"

 

[Jim Honeyman]

cheap fishing wire

Buy clothsline wire from your hardware store. It is much cheaper than electrical fishing wire and works great. I have run 2line and 4line wire using it.

 

[bruce]

follow up question

Thanks for the helpful information. Should I be concerned about the new wiring I run tangling with the internal halyards?