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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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4 pin deck connector wires?

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gbeardjr
Navigator

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USA
101 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/07/2008 : 22:50:59

I tried to replace my mast wiring connector today, after removing the old one there was not enough wire to sticking up to connect to the new one. Are these wires encased in the deck? Do I have run a new set of wires to replace? From inside the boat above the head I cannot see any wires going through the deck from the inside.

There are 10 kinds of people in this world. Those that understand binary and those that don't

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5418 Posts

Response Posted - 04/07/2008 : 23:18:04

This is a pretty frequent question, so you may wish to do a search on the subject. As I recall, some model years apparently had the wires securely stuck into the space between the topsides and the headliner, while on other models, if you gave the cable a good yank, you could pull it free and get a few more inches of wire.

It's by no means a certainty you can do it, but it was reasoned, it's worth a try. Worst case, you'd have to fish a wire through from the head area behind the bulkhead and worser case, all the way back to the switch panel. Bummer, but doable.

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gbeardjr
Navigator

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USA
101 Posts

Response Posted - 04/07/2008 : 23:36:56

Edited by - gbeardjr on 04/07/2008 23:37:35

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3477 Posts

Response Posted - 04/08/2008 : 06:04:39

On my '89, I thought the wires were sealed inside the cabin top and liner. I wound up installing a new wire before I realized that the original wire was not sealed inside. I installed the new wire by removing the deck connector and using a long shaft drill bit angled it forward inside the deck connector hole and I came out just inside the porta-potti area. later, when i was replacing interior wiring back to the new circuit breaker switch panel, I then discovered the original wire in the underside of the bilge compartment - it goes up the mast column. I gave it a strong tug - I was not using it anyway....since using new wiring. The old wire dropped out ! So...it may be possible to pull more wire thru if there is some slack wire in the bilge. But this also may depend on the model year Catalina as to just how that wire is installed. here is new BP Panel. Old panel is also functional. My new panel enables me to switch on the nav lights from the cockpit.

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Dave Otey
Navigator

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USA
112 Posts

Response Posted - 04/08/2008 : 21:55:22

I'm working on my deck connector also. I noticed some corrosion on the wire and it appears to continue well into the length. I have a round cable with four wires that passes over the bilge to the side and up the center of the post. Does anyone know the gauge of the wire?

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3477 Posts

Response Posted - 04/08/2008 : 23:12:56

I am almost positive it is 16 gage. Looking at the charts (West Marine has one in catalog), the long length up the mast and to the switch panel....me thinks there is a bit of loss because of the narrow gage wire but probably not all that bad. Gage 14 is obviously better.

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4312 Posts

Response Posted - 04/08/2008 : 23:26:54

Dave,

I recently purchased the mast wiring kit from CD and it comes with 16 ga wire.

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skrenz
Captain

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USA
351 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2008 : 12:38:11

I have a new mast from Catalina. The wire gauge in the mast is 16 but according to the manual, the wire inside the boat is 14. This is all about voltage loss for length. If you really want to figure it out, measure the distance from the most distant light, the anchor light on the top of the mast, all the way back to the panel. Then double this. That is the total circuit length. You know what the bulb wattage is so divide this by 12 and you have the amps. There are graphs all over, and one in West Marine catalog, that show the size wire verses length verses amperage for a certain amount of voltage drop. Since you want your navigation lights nice and bright, you should go with the 3% drop tables.
ANYWAYS, this will all work out to something between 14 and 16 gauge. Go with 14 inside the boat to be on the safe side.

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Dave Otey
Navigator

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USA
112 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2008 : 16:52:11

<font size="4">Thanks alot guys. Your input has been most helpful.

Best regards, Dave

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captck
1st Mate

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USA
34 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2008 : 19:05:35

Posted this as new but I guess it belongs here.
Today I replaced the deck connector with one from CD (sea dog) 4 pole
It was sealed in place. I had to remove most of bulkhead screws to move it slightly and get slack in the wires going up to the deck from the port side wire channel. (16 ga 4 wires) more than a 3 hammer job!

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2008 : 20:35:56

My friends stepped on my male connector today while raising the mast, I will order one tonight.

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3477 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2008 : 20:58:51

Frank,

You had me going there for awhile. Sure glad you cleared this up with some photos.

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Dave Otey
Navigator

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USA
112 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2008 : 06:04:07

Frank, I have been looking for the connector you displayed in this string. Where can one still get this type / design? All the others I looked at have smaller outer flange O.D.'s.
Fairwinds, Dave

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2008 : 09:59:40

Catalinadirect.com

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.