1981 30ft hunter sloop with a mast steaming light(mid way up the mast) with no power. I have checked the breaker box and there is power all the way to the mast step. Is there a way to check the wire inside the mast at the base without pulling the mast? Hawaii dan
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Jack Laird
Multimeter
Yup, with the power on check the light socket with a multimeter. If no power at the socket remove it and check the wires where they are attached to the fixture.
Yup, with the power on check the light socket with a multimeter. If no power at the socket remove it and check the wires where they are attached to the fixture.
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John Tesoriero
If you can get to the mast step/base, and you know that it is getting power, you should be able to check for circuit continuity to the light. Use a multimeter on the wires coming down the mast or from the breaker box. Alternately, I would hire a young (light weight) person to go up the mast and replace the bulb. It's not hard to do and it is only a the level of the spreaders.
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steven f
junction box
I dont know about the H30 but on my 81 H33 I have an electrical junction box inside the cabin next to the compression post (on the ceiling of the cabin). This small plastic box holds the connections to all my mast and mast-head electronics. If your boat has a small box inside by the compression post, try it first, it might save you a trip up the mast.
I dont know about the H30 but on my 81 H33 I have an electrical junction box inside the cabin next to the compression post (on the ceiling of the cabin). This small plastic box holds the connections to all my mast and mast-head electronics. If your boat has a small box inside by the compression post, try it first, it might save you a trip up the mast.
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Dan Geltmacher
steaming light part duce
I have already been up the mast and tested the wires with a multimeter. There is no power topside. My question is... On an 1981 H30 does anyone know of a way to check the wires inside the mast (at the bottom)without pulling the mast. I can't find any box or panel other than the breaker box at the chart table (where there is power). I can't believe anyone would design a boat or a jack-in-the box for that matter, with a system that, you can't get to. How did they put it together? So it must be that I don't know where to look. Is there an access panel on the mast? Illusions dan (frustrated)
I have already been up the mast and tested the wires with a multimeter. There is no power topside. My question is... On an 1981 H30 does anyone know of a way to check the wires inside the mast (at the bottom)without pulling the mast. I can't find any box or panel other than the breaker box at the chart table (where there is power). I can't believe anyone would design a boat or a jack-in-the box for that matter, with a system that, you can't get to. How did they put it together? So it must be that I don't know where to look. Is there an access panel on the mast? Illusions dan (frustrated)
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Ken Palmer
My H33 has no box
Interesting. My 1981 H33 doesn't have a junction box on the ceiling next to the post. What it does have is access at the bottom of the compression post in the rear of the bilge area. The wires go up the inside of the post, through the cabin top, to the inside of the mast, where they are connected to the mast wiring with connectors. The only way to access these connectors is to lift the mast, which is what I do every season when storing the boat for winter. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty Rochester, NY
Interesting. My 1981 H33 doesn't have a junction box on the ceiling next to the post. What it does have is access at the bottom of the compression post in the rear of the bilge area. The wires go up the inside of the post, through the cabin top, to the inside of the mast, where they are connected to the mast wiring with connectors. The only way to access these connectors is to lift the mast, which is what I do every season when storing the boat for winter. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty Rochester, NY
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Don
Oh but they do, Dan
Don't konw about your boat, but my '84 31' has the same problem, no juice to the steaming light. And, I know first hand that the only connection is inside the mast on the mast step. Looks like I too will have to pull the mast to check the connection. What's more, I just pulled the mast last winter, replaced everything and tested it all, everything was fine. My marina stepped the mast without me and voila, there's no steaming light! I am considering cutting an access panel to the base of the mast, a 3-4" hole to see if I can check it out. Several postings here have referenced cutting an inspection plate. Yes, this is/was ridiculous that anyone would engineer something in this manner. Good luck.
Don't konw about your boat, but my '84 31' has the same problem, no juice to the steaming light. And, I know first hand that the only connection is inside the mast on the mast step. Looks like I too will have to pull the mast to check the connection. What's more, I just pulled the mast last winter, replaced everything and tested it all, everything was fine. My marina stepped the mast without me and voila, there's no steaming light! I am considering cutting an access panel to the base of the mast, a 3-4" hole to see if I can check it out. Several postings here have referenced cutting an inspection plate. Yes, this is/was ridiculous that anyone would engineer something in this manner. Good luck.
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Thom Hoffman
Light at the End?
Short of snaking new wires up and throug to the light fixture, my experience with my '81 30 is that you'll be looking to repair the light the next time you have the mast unstepped. Snaking new wires up can be problematic. The wires enter at the base of the mast and are in the groove behind (forward of) the sail track and then ascent to their connections. The mast is drilled so the steaming light's wire then enteres the aft side of it and exits the forward end to connect with the fixture. Probably too many sharp turns to snake new wires in AND they may be clamped in there to prevent noise/abrasion, etc. I can't imagine trying to replace any of those internal wires unless the mast is unstepped. On to the "To Do" list? Good luck and looking forward to other creative solutions--I'm sure I'll need them too!
Short of snaking new wires up and throug to the light fixture, my experience with my '81 30 is that you'll be looking to repair the light the next time you have the mast unstepped. Snaking new wires up can be problematic. The wires enter at the base of the mast and are in the groove behind (forward of) the sail track and then ascent to their connections. The mast is drilled so the steaming light's wire then enteres the aft side of it and exits the forward end to connect with the fixture. Probably too many sharp turns to snake new wires in AND they may be clamped in there to prevent noise/abrasion, etc. I can't imagine trying to replace any of those internal wires unless the mast is unstepped. On to the "To Do" list? Good luck and looking forward to other creative solutions--I'm sure I'll need them too!
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