Wires up the mast

[SDS3 Sailors]

2005 H36. Top of picture is 4 wires incoming from DC panel. Only 3 wires connected at mast base: ground, anchor light, steaming light. Anyone know what the 3rd (middle in the picture) gray wire is supposed to power? Voltmeter indicates it is not powered up at panel currently.

We are about to install a combo anchor/tricolor and we can find the other end of the wire back behind the panel in the spaghetti factory it sure would simplify things!

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Davidasailor26]

Maybe it’s there for a spreader light in case it were installed?

 

[jssailem]

Only way to be sure is to go up the mast.
Possibilites:

• Spreader lights for sure, @Davidasailor26 (spot on)
• Wind transducer
• Strobe
• Running lights
• power for radar.

It is a fielder's choice.

 

[Davidasailor26]

Could be a good use for a Fox and Hound wire tracer too. That might let you figure out where the other end of that wire comes out.

 

[SDS3 Sailors]

No mast to go up! But that's a longer painful story. This is what I found after the mast came down.

 

[Tally Ho]

+ a few more potentials…

Foredeck light?
Hailer?


Greg

 

[Dalliance]

Trace that wire back to the panel. It could be a spare or for something no longer present.

Anchor light & steaming light are minimum required.
Spreader/deck lights & windex light are optional, nice to have.
Tri-color if running lights are not at deck level.

 

[Hollyberry]

If you can find the plain grey wire behind your panel (should be in vicinity of the two traced grey wires) a simple continuity check with an ohmmeter should confirm you have the right wire... will probably have to use a piece of extension wire to compete the loop. Then you just need to fish the extra wire up the mast before you put it back up...