Hey guys;
I had the mast stepped this winter with the intention of rewiring and relighting it in the spring...which has sprung!
All my mast lighting failed last year and I see now why. The anchor bulb was shot and the ground for the steamer/spreader light broke off inside the mast.
I plan on running 2 sets of tri-plex 12/3 wire through the mast. One to the steaming light and I also bought a LED spreader light.
The second run to the top will light a new LED Running Light/Anchor light. When in nav mode it will also light the Windex.
In addition I bought RG-8u cable for an antenna.
I know the process of attaching some type of pvc conduit to the front of the mast, but I'm not sure if I want to bother with this. My question is more about the mechanics of running the wires...
Spreader/Steaming Light:
I am going to run the 12/3 to the center of the mast. Currently there is a small 1/2" hole for the current light. I know I need to drill another hole for the wires to run to the spreader light.
The other question would be once both 12/3 runs are in place along with the rg-8u cable, would it be prudent to cable tie all 3 together (at least up to the spreaders and then 2 up to the mast head).
I walked around the boat yard last weekend and looked at some of the larger masts on horses. I noticed that many had their vhf cables and some wiring coming out of holes on the sides and these holes were well sealed with...something. Silicone or perhaps a 4200 type poly? Is this typical?
And the last question is for the base of the mast. Since the mast has the original wiring, I plan to drill this out and install an 1 1/2" pvc pipe with a 90 degree elbow to run the new wiring out of the interior. I am going to need 3 connections. 2 for the 12/3 wiring and 1 for the rg-8u. Any suggestions as to what would be the best types of connectors.
I searched mast rewiring on the forums and most had to do with wiring size, using trailer wire, 4 prong connectors or how to attach pvc piping to the mast...
Again, I'm more about hanging the wire without putting undo stress on it.
Thanks for any thoughts!
Chris
I had the mast stepped this winter with the intention of rewiring and relighting it in the spring...which has sprung!
All my mast lighting failed last year and I see now why. The anchor bulb was shot and the ground for the steamer/spreader light broke off inside the mast.
I plan on running 2 sets of tri-plex 12/3 wire through the mast. One to the steaming light and I also bought a LED spreader light.
The second run to the top will light a new LED Running Light/Anchor light. When in nav mode it will also light the Windex.
In addition I bought RG-8u cable for an antenna.
I know the process of attaching some type of pvc conduit to the front of the mast, but I'm not sure if I want to bother with this. My question is more about the mechanics of running the wires...
Spreader/Steaming Light:
I am going to run the 12/3 to the center of the mast. Currently there is a small 1/2" hole for the current light. I know I need to drill another hole for the wires to run to the spreader light.
- Since both lights will share a ground, should I pigtail 2 grounds off the 12/3 wire and then run each to their own light?
- I then need to 'hang' this wire within the mast. I don't think allowing this 20' length of wire to hang by the wires going through the holes in the mast is a good idea. Even if I add some type of sheathing to the holes for chafe protection will eventually fail.
- Would it be practical to drill 2 holes under the spreader and use a plastic tie to cinch the wire up close? Would this tie eventually chafe through? Any other thoughts on how to suspend this wire and take the weight and pressure off the connectors to the indiviudal lights?
The other question would be once both 12/3 runs are in place along with the rg-8u cable, would it be prudent to cable tie all 3 together (at least up to the spreaders and then 2 up to the mast head).
I walked around the boat yard last weekend and looked at some of the larger masts on horses. I noticed that many had their vhf cables and some wiring coming out of holes on the sides and these holes were well sealed with...something. Silicone or perhaps a 4200 type poly? Is this typical?
And the last question is for the base of the mast. Since the mast has the original wiring, I plan to drill this out and install an 1 1/2" pvc pipe with a 90 degree elbow to run the new wiring out of the interior. I am going to need 3 connections. 2 for the 12/3 wiring and 1 for the rg-8u. Any suggestions as to what would be the best types of connectors.
I searched mast rewiring on the forums and most had to do with wiring size, using trailer wire, 4 prong connectors or how to attach pvc piping to the mast...
Again, I'm more about hanging the wire without putting undo stress on it.
Thanks for any thoughts!
Chris