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Mast Lights

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Jonathan Cuff
Navigator

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Cayman Island
173 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/03/2003 : 16:11:43

I appear to have an electrical short in the mast. The wiring is correct to the connector at the base of the mast, and all the lights (masthead and steaming/decklight combo) work, it's just that if you turn more than one on the others go duller. Has anyone else had any experience with this problem, and if so where do I start?

Many thanks

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deastburn
Captain

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USA
334 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2003 : 17:02:05

This is one of those "work by process of elimination" issues that crop up on this boat. "Wood Duck"'s lights never have corresponded to the labels on the switches on the main fuse panel. "Running Lights" should light the bow and stern lights. There are separate switches for spreader and anchor lights, which run through the deck connector (on my C25, 1981 vintage, the connector has four sockets but needs only three wires--lining them up can be tricky). I had a similar such power drain, and traced it to a corroded bow light wire which was draining current into the chain in the anchor locker! So check the wires as much as you can--chafe is a major problem on boats and the major cause of electrical fires, which are supposedly responsible for over half of all sailboat fires. It is also possible a corroded bulb socket is draining power by causing it to have to "jump" or arc across the connection, so clean off the bulbs and sockets. In other words, start off by cleaning everything, and then check each power draw with a multitester. It pays to be slow and methodical (and it is easier to do at night, but then you can't see anything except the lights!)

Good Luck, and welcome aboard!

Dave on "Wood Duck" (#2616)

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dgabel
1st Mate

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USA
75 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2003 : 17:21:26

The problem with these boats' electrical systems is usually just that the connections get corroded. It's common when you have conductors in damp atmospheres. So the thing to do is clean, clean, clean.

I think the first thing to check is the connector at the deck. Use a wire brush and clean all the contacts there, then reconnect and test. The symptoms you describe (all lights dim when you turn another on, seem to me to point to a voltage drop between battery and lights. The one place where they all come together is at the deck connector. If those connections have corrosion, each one of them, particularly the ground, will develop a voltage drop, and that will reduce the brightness of the lamps. By the way, often connectors will clean themselves if you unplug them and replug them several times. Well designed contacts will wipe against each other, cleaning off minor corrosion. If they're badly corroded, you have to take sterner measures.

Of course, electricity is a tricky thing, so that if cleaning the connector doesn't do it, follow Dave's regimen, and be patient. It could take time, but there's always a logical reason for what you're seeing.

Dave Gabel
Walkure
Hull # 1484. '79 Fin keel, tall rig.

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Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2003 : 23:24:23

When I bought Antares last year, not a single running light worked. I don't think they'd been turned on for 15 years. I had to sand down all the light bulb contacts and seriously clean the deck connection. West Marine carries an electrical connection cleaner, spray-type like carb cleaner, that worked very well for cleaning the deck connection.

J.B. Manley
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3d609b3127cce8d2e212441c60000002010" border=0>
Antares '85 FK/SR #4849
36°29'58" -94°59'59"

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Jonathan Cuff
Navigator

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Cayman Island
173 Posts

Response Posted - 09/04/2003 : 11:33:23

Many thanks for the advide guys. I now have a weekend project!

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skipn809
Navigator

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111 Posts

Response Posted - 09/04/2003 : 12:08:52

I had a similar problem this weekend,and found it to be a ground wire in the deck plug. Sailing buddys say to check the ground leads first-- they are usually the problem. They were right this time.

Wish they had been around on the night sail return trip when the o/b conked out. Managed to sail into sombody elses slip without bending any fiberglass, but my wife was a little on edge for some reason. I think she left fingerprints in one of the metal dock uprights from grabbing it to stop the boat in the cross wind. Good wife.

Skip 1985 C-25 T/R #5121 "Corporal Punishment" N.E. Mo.

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2984 Posts

Response Posted - 09/04/2003 : 12:39:07

Skip is right... the clue was given in the question. When turning more than one light on... the other dims. This likely means that the ground wire has a poor connection and can only provide a limited current return which is inadequate for two lights.

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224
<img src="http://www.stewartfam.net/arlyn/rr.jpg" border=0>
N/E Texas and Great Lakes

[url="http://www.cox-internet.com/arlynstewart/"]Arlyn's C250 Mods n Cruisin Stories[/url]

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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.