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Mast Wires and Deck Connector

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Cate
Navigator

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199 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/18/2006 : 12:50:07

I have three wires coming out of the mast. The wires are for separate lights (mast,anchor,steaming). I only have one deck connector. To use one of these lights I have to plug one in at a time. Bad. What are my options?

1983 C-25, Standard rig, swing keel

Edited by - on

Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2006 : 15:38:30

Cate, you have some other deck connectors, and I don't know what they're for. But of the six wires coming out of your mast, three of them -- probably the green wire -- should be the ground. So what you do is get a four prong deck connector, wire the three ground wires together and plug them into the largest prong, and wire the others into the other prongs. Then you're going to need to run fourplex wire from the switchbox in the galley into the head and the deck connector. The original wires are probably molded into the hull liner -- just forget them. Your positive wires will run from the deck, anchor, and steaming switches, and the ground wire from the negative bus.

That should make it as clear as mud!

Good luck.

Brooke

Edited by - on

StSimon
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2006 : 23:33:15

I did just what Brooke said. I only had a three prong plug on my roof giving me ground, anchor, and steaming. After purchasing a steaming/halogen deck light combo I realized something had to change. I located a 4 prong deck connector and 4 strand wire which I ran back to the distribution panel. I glassed in the hole where the old deck connector was located because it interfered with the lines now running back to the cockpit. I drilled a new hole a few inches forward to install the new deck plate and voila, now I had a deck light and no interference with the halyards and reef lines.

Our next step is a new AC/DC distribution panel over the starboard setee and rigging the AC and genset my first mate requested in the port locker. The locker vents are already in place. I just need to locate the correct small AC unit, replace the bulkhead to fit, install the genset and muffin fans to keep the locker cool and we'll be set for cool nights on the Sea of Cortez.

Sorry to get off topic. I got carried away.

One other thing. From the photo it looks like the 2 prong deck connector could have been added by a PO. The original mast light connector is normally raised and located abeam the mast. It appears someone removed the mast light connector and replaced it with some other connector. It might have been for the VHF antenna cable but you can see it going through the deck in front and to port of the mast. I'm not sure what it is for. It could have been for a wind sensor? Anyway, that spot is likely the original spot for the mast lights. It will be a good spot unless you later decide to run your lines to the cockpit. In that case a different location will be needed.

Good luck.

Edited by - StSimon on 04/18/2006 23:39:43

Cate
Navigator

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199 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2006 : 08:08:58

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Brooke Willson
 Cate, you have some other deck connectors, and I don't know what they're for. But of the six wires coming out of your mast, three of them -- probably the green wire -- should be the ground. So what you do is get a four prong deck connector, wire the three ground wires together and plug them into the largest prong, and wire the others into the other prongs. Then you're going to need to run fourplex wire from the switchbox in the galley into the head and the deck connector. The original wires are probably molded into the hull liner -- just forget them. Your positive wires will run from the deck, anchor, and steaming switches, and the ground wire from the negative bus.

That should make it as clear as mud!
Good luck.
Brooke
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Actually Brooke this makes complete sense to me and CD has the 4-prong connector. My challenge now is to figure out how to connect to the galley switch box. I assume I will be switching the existing deck wires with the new ones?? Luckily the PO is at my marina and is a licensed electrician.

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Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2006 : 10:48:09

Cate, I replaced the wiring -- that's what's molded into the lining and is inaccessible. Go for it!

West Marine also has those connectors, if you don't want to wait for CD.

Brooke

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2006 : 11:44:28

Just last weekend down at the boatyard, a newer fellow C25 owner bought a new deck connector to replace the stock one and he was having issues with the wiring going into the deck. When I wandered over there, he asked me how the wiring was routed and I gave him the bad news about the wires being sandwiched between the deck. After he heard that, he soon realized his simple deck connector replacement just turned into a complete rewiring to the panel. (Murphy's Law)

I replaced my mast wiring last year and it included a new deck connector and wiring to the electrical panel.

To ward off future corrosion problems and to protect the connector from the weather, I ran the last foot or so of the wiring through a piece of automotive fuel line, which protects and provides strain relief to the wiring as well as serving as a grommet going into the mast. Additionally, I used a dishwasher/disposer drain adapter as a boot for the connector itself. I didn't need to use hose clamps because it is a really tight fit between the fuel line and dishwasher adapter.

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Scooter
Navigator

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USA
228 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2006 : 12:43:44

Now you tell me. Just re-did all that. Great idea. Makes me want to re-re-do it.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.