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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Problem with the mast lights

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Steve Siefken
1st Mate

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USA
81 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/29/2006 : 13:07:08

I just noticed that neither the running light nor the anchor light work on the boat. While it is possible that the 2 light bulbs may be burned out, I have a feeling it is in the connector or wiring.

Is there any easy way to find this out short of talking the mast down and replacing the bulbs?

Thanks,

Steve Siefken
'84 SK/SR #4654 "Nicosha"

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 05/29/2006 : 17:43:30

You can check for voltage at the mast base connector. If you don't have voltage there, your problem is between that point and the battery. If you do have voltage, your problem is somewhere up the mast.

That's about the best you can do without lowering the mast.

Edited by - on

Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2006 : 07:53:35

I'm having the same problem and was trying to determine the cause this past weekend. I tried measuring the voltage at the connector, but I wasn't getting any good readings with my voltmeter. Here is a photo of my connector with four pins, but there are only 3 wires going into the mast.

Does anyone know which pin is which, more specifically the ground? Also, my switch panel has switches for "BOW LT.", "ANCHOR", and "SPREADER". I first thought the "BOW LT." was for the bow navigation lights, but I figured out those are turned on by the running light switch. What are the "BOW LT." and "SPREADER" switches for? I thought they would be for a steaming light or lights mounted on the spreaders, but I have neither. My mast connector only has 3 wires as well, so I figured one would be for the anchor light, ground, and then a steaming light. I don't know where the fourth one is. Anyone have input?

Thanks,

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2006 : 09:13:09

Before doing anything else to troubleshoot, take some fine sandpaper (etc) and clean the contacts on the deck plugs. It doesn't take much crud to stop 12 volts. Looks like it might be time for a general 'renewal' in that area.

>"thought they would be for a steaming light or lights mounted on the spreaders"

Correct, Catalina put switches in, but didn't necessarily install the lights... either that or a PO has removed them.
I've never seen a C25 without a steaming light... wonder if it was removed.

>"don't know where the fourth one is. Anyone have input?"

Probably doesn't exist if the lights aren't installed. See comment above.

Edited by - on

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2006 : 10:06:32

I am going to chime in hear about that style of plug that Justin posted. I have the same plug and everytime I go to use my mast lights they do not function. I get out my dremel and polish the contacts and the mating conector and they work for a while but eventually lose contact again. I have theorized that the problem lies with the gap in the middle of each pin which is suppose to allow the pin to exert an outward pressure to secure it in its socket. Over time the metal losed its hardness and the ability to press outward. If you look at Justin's connector you can see the left rear pin is almost completely closed. If you spread it out it will work for a while but eventually lose contact again. I am not that well versed on which plugs are better but I would replace it. I had the same style plug on my autopilot and lost power to it which eventually led to an accidental jibe. I replaced it with a Marinco trolling motor plug and it works much better. If you have to use thay style plug make sure you fill the connector hole with dielectric grease before you connect it. That will help stave off the corrosion.
Oh and Justin, the smallest of the pins is suppose to be the ground. The front right pin in your photo. Don't assume its hooked up right though.

Edited by - on

Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2006 : 10:20:21

Thanks for the input. I'll polish those contacts a bit with my dremel and try testing the voltage again. I polished the front bow light socket contacts and that got them working. About the steaming light, there is a screw sticking out of the mast where one was most likely mounted at one time. Is the steaming light required? I noticed several sailboats in my marina do not have them.

Thanks,

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2006 : 21:03:16

A 'steaming light' is required when a sailboat is motoring. (in the dark).

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Steve Siefken
1st Mate

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USA
81 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2006 : 22:29:02

Joe and Justin,

My plug is different than yours. I have a 3 pin connector, but the interesting thing is that mine is inverted. The male connector comes from the mast, not the deck.

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Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 05/31/2006 : 07:27:31

Steve, you're right. Justin's plug is upside down from anything I've ever seen -- and poorly installed ( i.e., ugly) at that. I would replace the whole thing and do it right.

Probably the only way to figure out which wire is which is with a multimeter: turn on one switch at a time and test which combination of ground and hot indicates current. The largest pin/socket is supposed to be the ground/common/negative. A fourth wire, if present, should be for the deck light -- shining down and lighting the deck).

If I were a betting man, I would wager that you're going to have to just rewire the entire setup. But I'm not.

Brooke

Edited by - Brooke Willson on 05/31/2006 07:28:02

PZell
Admiral

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USA
548 Posts

Response Posted - 05/31/2006 : 08:25:12

You can get by without the steaming light if you have an all around white at the masthead, but you are not supposed to show the stern light. Search the COLREGS for the exact phrasing.

Edited by - on

Cate
Navigator

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199 Posts

Response Posted - 05/31/2006 : 19:21:00

I just completed a 4-pin deck connector project. You can see it here:
http://homepage.mac.com/poolec/Mysterious/PhotoAlbum23.html

The tricky part was matching the mast wires to the configuration of the deck connector. i.e white wire in plug matches white wire in connector.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/31/2006 : 20:56:05

Anyone ever use dielectric grease on their electrical connectors to prevent terminal corrosion?

Edited by - on

Justin
Admiral

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502 Posts

Response Posted - 06/01/2006 : 07:25:28

Cate, how did you access the wires inside the deck? It appears you replaced all that wiring.

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Steve Siefken
1st Mate

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USA
81 Posts

Response Posted - 06/01/2006 : 07:30:30

Cate,

Nice job on your mast! Where did you get the connectors? I searched the Catalina Direct web site, but did not see them there. I just have this feeling that I have an electrical issue not burned out bulbs.

Thanks,

Edited by - on

kayest
Deckhand

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12 Posts

Response Posted - 06/01/2006 : 09:18:35

I just went through the exact same problem cited in the original post myself. I'm sure someone can correct me if I am wrong, but I believe you can do more diagnostics than described above without taking the mast down.

In my case, I first checked the cabin top, female connector and found I had power on both "hot" sockets, so I concluded things were OK to that point.

Then I tested the two "hot" pins on the mast connector (male) against ground for continuity which was OK on both to make sure the circuits (lighting connectors and bulb filaments) were intact. Then I checked resistance on between the two hot pins to rule out a short.

I concluded everything was OK, but the lights still didn't work. Jiggling the connector a little magically turned the lights on. I will replace the old connector in the next few days.

Edited by - on

Cate
Navigator

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199 Posts

Response Posted - 06/01/2006 : 10:26:13

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Steve Siefken
 
Where did you get the connectors? I searched the Catalina Direct web site, but did not see them there.
Thanks,
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

The connectors are here:
http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=289

I called CD and they said the brass connector matches the drill holes on my 1983 boat. They did. They also sell a plastic deck connector and plug.

Justin, The PO had re-wired the connector by drilling a new hole in the deck. Original wiring is imbedded in deck and cannot be accessed.

Edited by - on

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 06/01/2006 : 11:09:28

"Anyone ever use dielectric grease on their electrical connectors to prevent terminal corrosion?"

Don,
I use dielelectric grease on all of my electrical connections. The way it was explained to me is the contact of the two surfaces between a socket and plug will squeeze the grease away from the actual contact area and leave it on all non-mating surfaces creating a seal against corrosive agents. Dielectric grease, by definition, does not actually conduct electricity. It is usually used for thermal transfer or, as in our case, corrosion protection.

Edited by - on

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