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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

electrical question.

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judcary
Deckhand

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5 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/14/2002 : 17:09:53

I have a 1984 Catalina 25. 3 wires coming out of my mast a green a white and a black.the 3 wires are covered in a gray cover. Question is this the original set up and what does each wire go to?

Thank you

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dgabel
1st Mate

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USA
75 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2002 : 17:34:14

The black will be a ground wire. It will return, eventually, to the negative terminal on the battery.

I believe this is the original setup. It's the same that I had on my 78 Cat.

The green should be the steaming light, and the white the masthead. I saw a schematic somewhere on this board last year that tells you what they are, but I can't find it. So that is from memory.

Simple test: Go to Radio Shack and get a 9-V battery and a couple test leads. Connect the negative on the 9-V battery to the black wire. Connect positive to either the white or green (do this when the light isn't strong) and observe which light comes on.The 12-V bulbs will light up with a 9-V source, and you can see it as long as the ambient light isn't too bright. That way you can tell what's what.

Dave Gabel
Walkure, Hull 1484

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2002 : 19:12:07

This should be the original wiring schematic

http://c25c250.best.vwh.net/restricted/owners11.gif

Duane Wolff
"The Flying Wasp"
C-25, #401 std,sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 national Org.
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2dc20b3127cce9cd2f45b211a0000004010" border=0>

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dgabel
1st Mate

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USA
75 Posts

Response Posted - 03/15/2002 : 17:11:41

OOPS!!

I Goofed, according to that schematic.

My test method will still work, but put the green wire on the negative terminal, and try each of the other two on the positive. I found my mast lights did not work according to any schematic I had seen when I tested everything last Spring, but I didn't write it all down, so I have to go back to the drawing board before launch this year. <img src=icon_smile_blush.gif border=0 align=middle>

Dave Gabel
Walkure
Hull 1484

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LeighMarie
Navigator

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USA
188 Posts

Response Posted - 03/17/2002 : 19:58:11

I have a 1985 C25, Swing Keel and just this weekend I began looking into the mast electrical connections as I purchased the boat with loose fittings coming down the mast. (The timing of this post was great!)

Indeed, on our boat there is a black, green and white wire. (Note: there are 3 wires and a 4-pin connector on the boat, so one must not do anything?) I have the original Owner's Manual which on page 11 says that the green wire is the ground for mast only: "Green ground for mast fixtures only." When I hook the green one in the front hole on the starboard side and the white one in the front one on the port side, the anchor light shines brightly! My voltmeter also shows there is power to these two. When I reverse the negative and positive on the voltmeter in the same two holes it goes negative, which I think means I have found the correct ground (right?). The anchor light works when the anchor switch in the cabin electrical panel is turned on - duh!

My question is which switch on the cabin electrical panel turns on the power for the masthead light? Is it the "Running Lights?" The "Deck Lights" only turns on the light to my compass and nothing else, but I don't know why the masthead light would work with that one.

Even after knowing which switch (toggle, in my boat) turns the masthead light on, there are no other holes in the connector by the mast that show power, according to my voltmeter, so I may have another problem somewhere. I spent some time in the port side lazarette (which is absolutely huge, and yes, I was in it!) looking at the backside of the electrical panel, and knowing which one activates the masthead light would help as it all looked confusing.

Dave & Sharon on "Leigh-Marie"
Hull #5128

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Phredde
Navigator

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125 Posts

Response Posted - 03/28/2002 : 20:45:06

I've got my mast down right now and just re-wired the lights. There are three wires, one is a ground and the other two are positives for the two lights. The wiring inside the mast was actually two different lengths of duplex with the ground joined together at the base of the mast.

To answer your question, the masthead light switch is called the anchor light, and the one near the spar is called the running light (I think can confirm when I'm back on the boat this weekend). I believe the rules call for the top light to be on if you are at anchor, and the one near the spar should be on if you are running under power. I know someone will correct me if I'm wrong....

Phredde
Catalina 25
San Francisco

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Rick Heaverly 86 C25 5382
Navigator

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Belize
206 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2002 : 07:41:40

i just re-wired my mast last weekend. i have the masthead light listed as anchor on the electrical panel and the light near the spar listed as bow light.

Rick Heaverly

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capfrank
1st Mate

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USA
31 Posts

Response Posted - 03/31/2002 : 09:50:25

To conserve electrical power, an all around anchor light is NOT required, when anchoring in an approved anchoring location. Of course, safety while asleep at an unfamiliar area is imperative. Just my 2 cents worth.

Fair winds and following seas, _/)
~~~~
Captain Frank P. Grande
Goddess of the Sea Cruises
Sailing Adventures in Maine
www.goddesscruise.com
capfrank@mint.net
207-877-7824

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