tricolour Trip switch

Jun 2, 2019
1
Hunter Legend 306 Tollesbury
Hi I have a Hunter Legend 306 here in the UK,
When I switch the masthead tricolour light on after about 2 seconds it trips out at the circuit breaker.
I have checked and the light does work
Any suggestions as to what may be causing this ?
 
Last edited:

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,446
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
If it trips you have a resistance (HEAT) building up in the wire. Check the easy stuff first. All of your connections. Especially the connections to ground (your black or yellow wires) for corrosion or maybe just loose.
 
Jan 11, 2014
13,082
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
Chafed wire in the mast from the wire slapping around. Turn the light on and it shorts out.
 
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Johnb

.
Jan 22, 2008
1,464
Hunter 37-cutter Richmond CA
It is also not impossible that the breaker has become faulty. That has happened to me with symptoms similar to what you describe. Chasing down wiring at the top of the mast is not that easy so if you can I suggest attaching a light if similar wattage right at the breaker and eliminating that as a possibility.
 

jviss

.
Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
If it trips you have a resistance (HEAT) building up in the wire.
Heat would lower the resistance, and wouldn't do anything to trip the breaker that I can imagine.
Chafed wire in the mast from the wire slapping around. Turn the light on and it shorts out.
Then it wouldn't light for 2 seconds, would it?

I'm betting it's the breaker, or some odd fault in the bulb. Is it an LED bulb?
 
Jan 19, 2010
12,652
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
Heat would lower the resistance, and wouldn't do anything to trip the breaker that I can imagine.
That is only true for a few rare materials in the rare earth oxide family. For normal metals, heat makes the resistance go up. Actually that is how electric stove top ranges work.

.
 

jviss

.
Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
That is only true for a few rare materials in the rare earth oxide family. For normal metals, heat makes the resistance go up. Actually that is how electric stove top ranges work.

.
Whoops, yes; go that one backwards. Brain fart.
 
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Jan 11, 2014
13,082
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
Heat would lower the resistance, and wouldn't do anything to trip the breaker that I can imagine.

Then it wouldn't light for 2 seconds, would it?

I'm betting it's the breaker, or some odd fault in the bulb. Is it an LED bulb?
Maybe, maybe not. If the chafed wire is in direct contact all of the time, then it would be true, except depending the current draw it may take a few seconds for the breaker to respond. Or if the wire is loose, it may take a few seconds for it move around and touch the mast to make it short.

Breakers and fuses do not always immediately blow at a short. I've cut 110v duplex wires while hot and did not blow a fuse. Ruined a nice pair of electrician's pliers in the process.
 
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