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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/04/2013 : 21:02:48

Has anyone used Mastlight/Marinebeam.com?

I saw a boat coming into the marina the other night and the steaming light was brilliant. It was the brightest steaming light I've ever seen (and no it wasn't the deck light).

That got me to thinking where I could find one that bright. After I re-joined the forum this morning I found this link and they have a 3 NM [url="http://store.marinebeam.com/uscelednali.html"]Steaming Lights[/url].

I'm thinking about buying one but wondered if anyone had any experience with the company and maybe the light.

Association Member

GaryB
Andiamo
'89 SR/WK #5862
Kemah,TX

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5368 Posts

Response Posted - 08/04/2013 : 21:55:32

This month's Practical Sailor mag has a review of deck lights and one brand that was not mentioned is Mastlight. A quick check of their website finds the following redirect message:
"… Mastlight which has recently closed its doors as it is no longer in business…"
Another LED lighting company has taken over their site and brands. I had considered their products for various projects however. But never had occasion to purchase from them. There may be some good deals out there.

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2013 : 03:49:59

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 
After I re-joined the forum this morning[/url].

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

Welcome back Gary, Nice Burgeee!

Paul

Edited by - britinusa on 08/05/2013 03:50:27

panhead1948
Captain

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345 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2013 : 10:27:58

Try marineledshop I bought mine from them and they are bright.

Edited by - on

Captain Mike
Deckhand

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USA
11 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2013 : 08:48:40

Bruce,
Mainebeam.com is handling the lights that are similar to the old Mastlight products now. They are a great source for for LED fixtures and replacement bulbs. Good tech support and knowledge about LED configurations. They will let you know imphatically that they are in no way associated with Mastlight but said they are fielding website referalls from them. I'm getting ready to install a new NavLight Series 1 anchor and masthead fixture when I move my boat to it's new home this week. I'll let you know how it turns out. I'm also going with their NavLight Series 1 nav lights, too. Total amp draw of .56A at a cost of 360.00BU

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2013 : 08:57:13

Are you sure you've got the right exchange rate for a BU?

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2013 : 09:50:27

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Captain Mike
 Bruce,
Mainebeam.com is handling the lights that are similar to the old Mastlight products now. They are a great source for for LED fixtures and replacement bulbs. Good tech support and knowledge about LED configurations. They will let you know imphatically that they are in no way associated with Mastlight but said they are fielding website referalls from them. I'm getting ready to install a new NavLight Series 1 anchor and masthead fixture when I move my boat to it's new home this week. I'll let you know how it turns out. I'm also going with their NavLight Series 1 nav lights, too. Total amp draw of .56A at a cost of 360.00BU
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Please do! Those are the same lights I'm interested in using on my boat. I have LED's for the combination bow lights but I'm constantly having problems geting my steaming light to work. One week it works, the next week, not.

After seeing the boat come in the other night with the brightsteaming light I said to myself I need to get one of those.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5368 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2013 : 18:35:34

There are four possible causes of your anchor or steaming light being intermittent:
1. Bad on-off switch or fuse-holder - 10%
2. Bad deck connector - 30-40%
3. Bad mast cable - 5-10%
4. Bad connections in the fixture - typically between the fixture contacts and the bulb - 30-40%
Other causes might account for <5% of issues.
There's a good chance that replacing the fixture will solve the problem. If not, check the deck connector.

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2013 : 18:42:49

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Voyager
 There are four possible causes of your anchor or steaming light being intermittent:
1. Bad on-off switch or fuse-holder - 10%
2. Bad deck connector - 30-40%
3. Bad mast cable - 5-10%
4. Bad connections in the fixture - typically between the fixture contacts and the bulb - 30-40%
Other causes might account for <5% of issues.
There's a good chance that replacing the fixture will solve the problem. If not, check the deck connector.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I think it's important to first determine whether the problem is above or below the deck connector. A voltmeter onto the connector socket will determine whether power is getting to the connector (with the switch turned on, of course). An ohmmeter to the connector plug will determine whether you have continuity through the masthead fixture. If you don't, disassemble the plug and place the ohmmeter probes directly to the wires.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 08/07/2013 : 19:05:03

The mast wiring, deck connector, and steaming light fixture are only 3 or 4 years old.

I think it's in the fixture. Sometimes when I have the anchor light and steaming light switches on the steaming light will not come on but the deck light glows very dim even though the deck light switch is off. Other times the steaming light comes on normally and the deck light is completely off.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 08/18/2013 : 20:08:11

I tried to apply the member discount to the mastlight/marine beam website and it doesn't seem to work.

Edited by - on

TCurran
Admiral

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USA
588 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2013 : 02:46:11

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 I tried to apply the member discount to the mastlight/marine beam website and it doesn't seem to work.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I was just about to use it myself.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5368 Posts

Response Posted - 08/19/2013 : 19:07:04

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> originally posted by GaryB
Sometimes when I have the anchor light and steaming light switches on the steaming light will not come on but the deck light glows very dim even though the deck light switch is off. Other times the steaming light comes on normally and the deck light is completely off. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Sounds like the wiring or deck connector may have issues. Too bad it's intermittent. If the malfunction occurs again, try shaking the deck connector (only), then the wires where they enter the mast, then shake the boat from side to side and observe the effect on the lights.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 08/20/2013 : 04:48:50

<< I have the anchor light and steaming light switches on the steaming light will not come on but the deck light glows very dim even though the deck light switch is off. Other times the steaming light comes on normally and the deck light is completely off. >>

Sounds like what I had going on...

In the deck wiring.. from the switch to the deck plug shorting out to other wires. I'm guessing the deck compresses the wires together to the point the insulation is worn open.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5368 Posts

Response Posted - 08/20/2013 : 17:47:28

Ray
I hadn't thought of that location for the short but you very well could be right. Of course that's the last place you'd want to dig since the wires pass between the inner cabin headliner and the cabintop sandwich. Many have said you can work the wires free but then you need to run a snake thru the opening to pull the new cables.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 08/24/2013 : 18:03:39

So I went to the boat last night to tackle my steaming light issue. Spent 10 minutes digging out the multi-meter from under a bunch of junk.

Flipped on the steaming light switch and the d^%$ thing came on. I've tried getting it to come on all summer long including vigorously shaking the mast, reaching up and tapping on the fixture with the boat hook, messing with the deck connector, etc... Not even a blink from the light!

Last night, came on multiple times and never flickered.

Anchor light, steaming light, deck light worked perfectly for the 1st time this summer. Flipped on the running lights and the bow light didn't come on! It's NEVER not come on!!! Bumped it with the palm of my hand and it would come on and go off. Kept doing it until it stayed on. My guess is I need to clean the contacts on the fixture.

Get one working and another stops working! I give up!

Edited by - on

TCurran
Admiral

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USA
588 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2013 : 04:22:35

GaryB....Boat gremlins, they especially like to mess with Nav Lights

Edited by - TCurran on 08/25/2013 04:23:20

shnool
Former Capri-25 Tech Editor

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USA
1032 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2013 : 05:03:50

I've used the drop in perko replacement bulbs from marinebeam for both my combo light (foredeck) and my 270 stern light. Actually I've used them before in my Capri 22 as well. The price is right, the bulbs are VERY bright, and use a lot less power. There has been some back and forth about the LEDs not being Coast Guard approved, and that is VERY true... however, I'm willing to take the risk for what I see are clearly proper colored lights, that are brighter (safer) and more efficient.

As for your intermittent problems with the mastlight not working, I'd second most of what others say, which is check all your wiring first. It's POSSIBLE it's the bulb, but MORE likely it's your wiring.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2013 : 07:56:50

I changed out my bow light year or so ago and put a Mr. LED bulb in. It's very bright also and as I mentioned has worked perfectly since I put it in... until the other night!

I'll be checking out the mast wiring when I pull the boat later this fall.

Edited by - on

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