wiring bow running light

[RParis]

Racing my 1987 Hunter 28.5 on the Florida Westcoast. Having a problem with the wiring to the running bow light. Need blueprint or other info how the wiring is routed between the bow light and the electric panel.
Any help is very much appreciated.
Rafael Paris.

 

[Bill Roosa]

How but not where

I can tell you that the light should have its own power and ground wire running from/to the panel. Variations I've seen are the bow light has its own power wire and all the loads on the mast share a common ground wire.
As for where the wire is run I can only guess it runs near the toe rail till it gets abreast of the mast then crosses to the mast. There should be a connector under the mast so you can un-ship it without cutting wires. Check that first as it is easy and there is probably an inspection plate. Then it runs through the deck and into the mast. The inspection plate may be on the mast base also. Then it runs up the mast to the light. Check that second as most problems are rusted light socket related. The ground circuit "should" run all the way to the mast base where it may or may not combine with the rest of the mast loads. Then it will run the same path the power wire ran back to the panel.

 

[Grizz]

Not to risk crossing the 'Great Rooska', but...

...if your 28.5 is anything like mine, the wire runs within the pulpit and exits just before it meets the toe rail. This wire penetrates the non-skid nearby (you can see the exit and entrance points to the left in the attached picture).

From there, you'll need to open the forward access in the V-berth and play contortionist to follow the wires back to the panel.

It's manageable, especially if you can use the exiting wire as a messenger line to string new wire (if needed).

For a wealth of related 28.5 information, you can also check out www.huntertwentyeightfive.com Good luck!

PS - And for those thinking it, no it wasn't me that chopped the toe rail 'beaver style' to complete the bow cleat installation!

 

[Alan]

I also had a problem with the wiring of the bow lights on my 35.5. I ran new wire through the bow pulpit using a metal wire fish to pull the new wire through. I then connected the old wire harness in the hull to the new wire in the pulpit. No need to run new wire inside the hull. All the issues were located at the pulpit.