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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

replacing the mast light plug pair

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willyd103
1st Mate

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USA
49 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/02/2010 : 19:44:18

Folks:
Anybody have any advice about replacing the mast light plug pair? Has anyone
had an unusual experience doing this?
Will Dawson
S/V Stardust
C250 #215 SR/WK

Edited by - on

KD4AO
Navigator

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USA
202 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2010 : 04:37:49

I think this is what you are looking for. It is not difficult to replace. Order from Catalin Direct. Link below.

[url="http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=205"]Deck Connector from Catalina Direct.
[/url]

Edited by - KD4AO on 06/03/2010 04:40:12

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2010 : 05:22:11

Last fall when shopping I looked at about six C250s, always in rainy weather, and every one of them had wetness in the starboard spotlight - including the one I eventually purchased. I am convinced that the source is improper bedding of the plug receptacle over the non-skid portion of the deck. So make sure to use a liberal amount of sealant and screw it down loosely to leave about 1/16-1/8" thick gap. Then a couple days later, after it has cured, go back and tighten the screws a little more.

3M 5200 Adhesive Sealant is too permanent, and might prevent replacement in the future. When rebedding my existing receptacle I used 3M 4200, which has a little less adhesion and will therefore permit easy replacement in the future. I did not realize at the time that there is a 4200UV version which is better for sun exposed areas. So I will have to redo it next season with the better stuff. When I do I will probably put in a totally new connector.

Edited by - TakeFive on 06/03/2010 05:24:50

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2010 : 06:58:05

If that connector is made by Seadog, I'd think twice about replacing it with the same one. The back side of the connector is very poorly designed, and very difficult to use. I bought two of them and ended up retuning them. Remember these were Seadog connectors, Defender doesn't say who there's are made by, so it might be an entirely different experience.

Rick, what was your experience replacing yours?

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2010 : 07:10:46

Two suggestions.

First, buy two sets of the electric plugs. That is what I do. They last a few years and then you replace it.

Second, use [url="http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=11151&partNumber=3760196&langId=-1"]3M 4000 UV[/url] for bedding the plug. It is UV resistant and is not a powerful adhesive like 4200 or 5200. The plug has a mechanical (screws) connection to the deck so you don't need adhesion as much as you need a flexible and UV resistant bedding.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 06/03/2010 07:11:49

Tradewind
Admiral

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USA
531 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2010 : 11:29:55

Here's the one I'm installing, have it on the mast wires but not installed on the deck yet. From West Marine

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=100454&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=10109&subdeptNum=10611&classNum=10615

Edited by - on

willyd103
1st Mate

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USA
49 Posts

Response Posted - 06/03/2010 : 16:31:46

Steve:
The connector you recommend looks great. Any idea what the diameter is?
Didn't see it on the web page under specs.

-Will
S/V Stardust
#215 SR/WK

Edited by - on

Tradewind
Admiral

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USA
531 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2010 : 05:23:23

Will, not sure of the diameter, I can check it next time I go to the boat but I remember it being about the same as the black plastic plug.

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2010 : 05:37:49

Everyone has his own preferences, and I respect that, but I thought I'd mention that I actually prefer plastic connectors for this application. Since I do not do night sailing or anchoring, I leave the connector unplugged and cap the receptacle to minimize moisture intrusion. I am not sure I would want a metal plug flopping around against the mast and fiberglass.

Edited by - TakeFive on 06/04/2010 09:38:02

willyd103
1st Mate

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USA
49 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2010 : 07:11:27

Rick- looks like the cap on Steve's connector is plastic.
Steve - can you verify that the cap on the chain is plastic?

Will
S/V Stardust
C250 #215 SR/WK

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 06/04/2010 : 09:39:41

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by willyd103
 Rick- looks like the cap on Steve's connector is plastic.
Steve - can you verify that the cap on the chain is plastic?

Will
S/V Stardust
C250 #215 SR/WK
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
The cap material is irrelevant to me, since I will have it unplugged 99% of the time. It is the metal plug that would be flopping around and banging against the mast and fiberglass.

As I said before, my optimum material may be different from yours.
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by delliottg
...Rick, what was your experience replacing yours? <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I just rebedded it. I did not replace it.

Edited by - TakeFive on 06/04/2010 09:58:04

superbob
Navigator

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USA
200 Posts

Response Posted - 06/09/2010 : 07:38:43

Yesterday I replaced the deck connector on my boat. It was surprising to to unscrew the plug from the deck and find the connections and wires completely encased in a huge ball of white rubber cement type coating. It looked like it was applied in an effort to keep any outside moisture from entering the cabin. I'm thinking it was something Catalina had applied during manufacture.

The wiring to the deck plug was completely corroded with of the wires broken away from their connections. No wonder none of the mast lights worked.

That said, just one light functioned following the repair. The anchor and deck light remained dark. Today I'll put a meter to the system to find whether it's my wiring job or if the bulbs need replacing.

Anyway, the point of this post is to agree with Randy's suggestion to replace the deck connector and plug every few years. It's an easy fix.

Edited by - on

willyd103
1st Mate

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USA
49 Posts

Response Posted - 06/09/2010 : 19:38:19

Bob:
Which connector did you use?
-Will Dawson
S/V Stardust
1996 C250 #215
Hingham, MA

Edited by - on

superbob
Navigator

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USA
200 Posts

Response Posted - 06/10/2010 : 06:41:36

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by willyd103
 Bob:
Which connector did you use?
-Will Dawson
S/V Stardust
1996 C250 #215
Hingham, MA
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

That would be the one from Catalina Direct.

Edited by - on

Tradewind
Admiral

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USA
531 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2010 : 13:02:31

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Tradewind
 Will, not sure of the diameter, I can check it next time I go to the boat but I remember it being about the same as the black plastic plug.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Tried this metal plug and didn't like it, I ordered and installed the connector from Catalina Direct.

Good power now to the deck side and mast side on the plug but no lights. When the mast was down all connections were cleaned, bulbs replaced. Sounds like a ground problem. Anyone dealt with this? I suppose I have to drop the mast again.

Edited by - on

willy
Captain

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USA
422 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2010 : 14:20:13

Willy,
If its not leaking or broken...you may want to try spraying it to death with WD-40 a couple of times and see if that gets it working. I have not replaced mine on my 2003 WB as this has worked for me every time!
Willy

Edited by - on

Tradewind
Admiral

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USA
531 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2010 : 15:44:35

The entire connector is new, both the deck and mast ends, clean connections, clean wire, didn't work before I put the new connector on. Also didn't work before I cleaned the anchor light and deck/steaming light connections and changed bulbs. Good power to the deck connector and through the deck connector on the mast side. Gotta be a ground problem.

Edited by - on

Tradewind
Admiral

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USA
531 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2010 : 15:27:59

Ground is good, deck light works after replacing the bulb but no steaming light, no power to the positive connection up the mast, good power at the deck plug. Spent 5 hours yesterday up and down a tall ladder tied to the mast, holding a meter in one hand and the mast with the other, the steaming light did work twice until I put the lens back on then it quit, checked it again and no power, wiggled wires and connections to no avail, must be a broken wire with intermittent connection between steaming light and plug at the base of the mast. I hate to think of rewiring the mast light wires with a new harness. I don't sail much at night any more, might have to plead "burned out bulb" if I get a ticket motoring at night.
Any thoughts from anyone that's had this problem?

Edited by - on

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2010 : 15:32:33

I would bet money your deck connectors are the problem. Try bypassing the connectors and see if your lights work.

Edited by - on

Tradewind
Admiral

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USA
531 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2010 : 15:46:56

Deck connectors are new and connections are good, tried bypassing it, good power on each side when the plug is used. I'm stumped.

Edited by - Tradewind on 09/02/2010 15:48:52

willyd103
1st Mate

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USA
49 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2010 : 16:15:54

Steve:
Try using a 12V lamp battery on the MAST side of the connecter and see if
the lights work. If they work, that might indicate the ground connection isn't getting back to the BOAT battery.
best regards,
Will
S/V Stardust #215
just battened down the hatches today..
Earle arriving Friday night

Edited by - on

Tradewind
Admiral

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USA
531 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2010 : 17:10:06

Thanks Will, I'll try that, though I do have 12v at the deck plug for each light on the mast.

Edited by - Tradewind on 09/02/2010 17:11:05

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2010 : 17:50:13

The link to the metal connector in either 2pin or 4pin versions is familiar to me. I have one of the 2 pin for our wind transponder connection from the mast to the deck. I would replace it in a heartbeat!

The deck part is ok, but the loose end is a disaster! The grommet in the top does not prevent water ingress, so the wire ends corrode constantly, I can repair the connection in about 10 mins, done it so often I have it down pat!

The tiny screw on the side is to prevent the ring from moving up the connector. It's a waste of time, but without it, there's another point of water ingress. The screw corrodes too, and I couldn't find a replacement so ended up replacing the whole connector.

Lastly, the pins are solid! so as they corrode and you clean them, the connection eventually get's worse and you'll need to replace both parts.

End of rant. (I rarely do, so forgive this one time)

Paul

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 09/02/2010 : 19:07:02

How timely for this topic to be reactivated! My deck and anchor lights would not work tonight. It's unusual for two bulbs to go out at the same time, so it's probably not the bulb. The steaming light did work (fortunately, since we had to motor partway back after dark), so the problem is not with the common wire. It's probably just corrosion and tomorrow when I have some daylight I'll shoot some WD40 in the connector.

But if that does not work I'll want to test continuity between the leads on the plug and voltage out from the bulkhead connector. Could someone please provide a link or listing of the pinouts? Specifically, which pin is the common? I reseated the receptacle a couple months ago, so I'd prefer not to have to pull it up to look at wire colors, so if you could identify the holes and pins by position I'd really appreciate it.

Edited by - on

Tradewind
Admiral

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USA
531 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2010 : 17:57:13

Finally solved my mast wiring problem, maybe this will save someone else the aggravation. I found the color of the wires on the deck side of the plug do not match the color of the wires on the mast side of the plug, or the wires at the combo light.

Deck side Black is mast side Green, battery negative
Deck side White is mast side Black, deck light..yes really
Deck side Yellow is mast side White, steaming light
Deck side Red is mast side Red, anchor light

Combo light wiring is more standard, Black is Negative, White is Steaming and Green is Deck light, doesn't match the wire colors at the base of the mast on the mast side of the plug.

Finally had to drop the mast and use the ohm meter on the wires.

Edited by - Tradewind on 09/10/2010 17:58:10

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