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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

rewiring anchor light below deck

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Stu G
Deckhand

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USA
17 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/21/2010 : 08:52:37

Hi all

My first post. Great forum. I think I've read about 90% of the posts.

I just bought an 81 and the anchor light doesn't work. I've check continuity and the mast wiring checks out. I pulled the deck fitting and have continuity for the steaming light back to the switch but not for the anchor light. I checked the fuse but I haven't checked the switch itself yet but I'm guessing it's the wire between the switch and the deck fitting. Is it possible to pull a new wire through or will I have to run it outside the normal wiring channel?

Thanks

Stu Gilllis
1981 C25 TR/FK Hull # 2562
Holland, MI

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3466 Posts

Response Posted - 05/21/2010 : 09:19:15

Past comments on this subject regarding rewiring from the deck connector indicated that the wire is encapsulated in the cabin top fiberglas and so a new wire has to be run. Based on that and then working it on my '89, I found that the wire was snug and so the above seemed true. I then rewired by using a super long drill bit and at an angle within the deck connector hole drilled on a slant so the hole passed in front of my main cabin bulkhead an into the Head compartment. I then passed the wire thru and routed to the port sidewall and from there into and under the main cabin seating area to the switch panel.

Later....I found that the anchor wire on the '89 acutally passes thru the mast column and alongside the port side of the bilge opening. Since I no longer needed that wire and had nothing to lose, I yanked on it and the wire came loose from the snug fit up in the deck connector hole. So...it may be possible if your wiring is the same that you can rewire thru the mast column but it may be easier said than done and then again, the wiring in your boat may have been different originally.

Larry

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farrison
Navigator

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USA
166 Posts

Response Posted - 05/21/2010 : 09:52:48

I had a similar problem with the anchor light on my boat. It turned out to be the deck connector itself. the pins and sockets get so old and corroded that the pins are loose and don't contact the sockets. I replaced both plug and socket and it works fine.

Paul

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Stu G
Deckhand

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USA
17 Posts

Response Posted - 05/21/2010 : 10:10:14

I was hoping it was a bad connector, but I tested the continuity at the wire below the plug after testing the socket and that failed too.

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Stu G
Deckhand

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USA
17 Posts

Response Posted - 05/21/2010 : 10:14:16

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OLarryR
 

Later....I found that the anchor wire on the '89 acutally passes thru the mast column and alongside the port side of the bilge opening. Since I no longer needed that wire and had nothing to lose, I yanked on it and the wire came loose from the snug fit up in the deck connector hole. So...it may be possible if your wiring is the same that you can rewire thru the mast column but it may be easier said than done and then again, the wiring in your boat may have been different originally.

Larry
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I hadn't thought to look in the bilge for the wire. I'll check that tomorrow. Maybe there is something I can fix like a broken wire.

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Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 05/21/2010 : 10:53:00

Stu,
The fact that your read continuity all the way up the mast and back does not mean the light is getting enough voltage to light. I had the same problem, dropped the mast, and found the bulb to be fine but enough corrosion present in the bulb socket to reduce the available voltage. If you make a test light you can verify if there is enough power to light a bulb where the wire enters the mast. If there is the problem is above, not below.

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Stu G
Deckhand

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USA
17 Posts

Response Posted - 05/21/2010 : 11:09:32

Something else to check tomorrow. The dome has cracks and I have a replacement to install. I'll put in a new bulb while I'm at it. The boat is still on it's cradle (launching Thursday), so the mast is down. I'll check the voltage before the mast goes up.

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Stu G
Deckhand

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USA
17 Posts

Response Posted - 05/21/2010 : 12:25:01

Thanks for the help guys.

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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.