Masthead Lighting
Hi Adam:I had a 4 circuit panel that came with my 1979 Oday 22 out of the factory. It had switches for the following:1. Cabin lights2. Running lights 3. Bow lights4. AccessoriesThere was a second panel added by a previous owner that had several other circuits. The main "house" panel did the folowing:1. The CABIN LIGHTS circuit ran the two interior lights in the cabin via a orange wire.2. The RUNNING LIGHTS ran the bow port and starboard (red and green) running lights as well as the aft running lights, and wsa fed with a blue wire.3. The "BOW LIGHTS" were actually the singular masthead light that my boat came with. The O'day 22 did not come with a anchor light, but had (at least mine did) a steaming light on the front face of the mast 2/3 the way up. Oddly enough, the light fixture was an all-around type, mounted on it's side versus a 225 degree forward facing one. I suspect it was added later on. A small black wire fed this which I suspect is not the original.4. The ACCESSORIES circuit powered the other panel which was mostly corroded and useless. Both panels were at the end of teir safe, useful lives. So,,,,,I ripped it all out, not trusting what I saw. I bought a BlueSeas 7-circuit panel, a bit of overkill, but worth it. It came with a voltmeter to check the battery voltage. I left the leads to the bow and cabin lights. I replaced the runs to the mast as well as the battery lead and the motor alternator lead.The mast has now, a proper 225 forward facing steaming light run to a seperate switch. It is not run to the running lights which are on their own seperate switch. I installed a all-around anchor light on the masthead and wired that to a another circuit. The anchor light and steaming light are on a shared ground. (I cheated there). The deck connection at the bottom of the mast is with a three-prong connector from West Marine, (2) positive leads, one for the anchor light, and one for the steaming light, and (1) negative lead (shared).The new set up allows me to run either the standard running lights when under sail at night, or the running lights PLUS the masthead steaming light when I am motoring at night, and the anchor light alone, when I anchor out for a snug evening's outing.The entire rig runs on a single 12 volt battery with a solar trickle charger backup. Never had a problem with lack of power, but being a sailor, I am a watt-miser! The new mast leads had to be run exposed so I tucked them where I could as best as possible, and couldn't fish a electrician's snake through the inner layer between the deck and the cabin ceiling.If you need more info, just drop me a line atmitshu@juno.comI have a wiring diagram that can be sent to you if you want.Happy Sailing and keep hoping for the ice to melt!Stu Timm"Karakahl"1979 O'Day 22 centerboardCenterport, Long Island