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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

New Deck Connector.

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sodonnell
1st Mate

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76 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/19/2005 : 20:52:40

I'm retrofitting the mast with a combo Halogen/Deck light along with the anchor light.

The old deck connector is there but in very bad shape, so I ordered a new four pin connector from CD.
Is there a way to re-use the existing hole that the old fitting is in?
I was hoping to somehow use the old wiring as a drag but don't see where it re-appears inside the cabin.
I imagine the orginal wiring is in there pretty snug.
I hate to just abandon it and have to run the new wire externally inside the cabin area near the head.

I'm looking for some input from the many of you that have probably done this already.

Thanks

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2005 : 23:09:52

sodonnell,

That "Halogen/Deck light...w/anchor light" just might be a steaming light w/foredeck light. Fits around the front of the mast at about the level of the spreaders? Has one bulb shining down, and the other facing forward? A traditional sailboat anchor light is on top of the mast, and shines with equal brightness in a full circle all around the boat.

The original wiring for the mast lights, cabin lights, and fwd nav lighting is sort of cast in thickened resin between the headliner and deck. It is not removable or replacable where it is. When it goes bad, we just abandon it in place, and run new wire.

You might be able to reuse the hole in the deck, but I wouldn't get too hung up on that. I made a new hole, installed one of those cool 5-pin low profile deck connectors (from Forespar?), and routed new 14ga. marine grade double insulated wire along the top of the main bulkhead in the head compartment, over to the hull and then aft. You can hide the wiring up under the side deck near the hull-deck seam, or between the hull and liner just below the shelf. There's a lot of room to route and hide wiring and hoses between the hull and liner throughout the boat.

As for where the original wiring reappears in the cabin, it probably doesn't. I think you'll find it in the port cockpit locker above the sink.

Among the good news about all this, is that many of us have indeed done this job already, and survived.

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2005 : 23:15:23

I bought a 4 pin connector at West marine. Pull out the old deck fitting hog the hole out a little. I then drilled through into the cealing at an angle into the head. Just about 1/4 inch forward of the bulkhead. I instaled new wires into the new connector. Threaded it through the hole and into the head . Sealed the connector into the cabin top. Then I picked up the new wires inside the boat and rounted them inbetween the bulkhead and its rubber seal over to the left side wall and picked up the old wire loom and spliced them in. You could not see the new wires as they were tucked into the top of the bulkhead on the head side. Tuurned out very neat.

Edited by - on

Brent
1st Mate

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USA
37 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2005 : 23:24:25

Appologize in advance for minimal proof reading.

I just performed the exact operation you are attempting. The wiring on my 84 comes out on the port joint of the upper and lower hulls at the bulkhead. I tried modifying a wire snake to thread a new wire inbetween the hulls. It does not work, in fact at one point I thought I was going to have to cut the snake off and abandon the inserted portion.

The solution I came up with was to drill a hole just big enough for the additional wire (only one more hot wire was required to make everything work). The hole was drilled through the inner hull against the bulkhead in the head compartment.

Firts unscrew the old connector form the deck and get the wires pushed as aft as possible to avoid damage. Do extensive measuring of the connector hole relative to a known point on the deck and the inner hull. My reference point was the antenna cable which pierces the inner and outer hull. Once the location of the deck plug is established from the inside you are set to go. Press the trim cord down to the bulkhead and angle a hole toward where the connector should be. Use a variable speed drill so you have minimal RPM's as you pierce the inner hull so as to not damage the existing wires.

Bingo!!! DAYLIGHT

The new wire exits the existing plug hole on the outside, and tucks neatly against the inner hull and trim cording until it gets to the raceway at the hull joints.

Edited by - on

sodonnell
1st Mate

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76 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2005 : 07:40:43

That's a good idea.
I never thought to just run one extra hot lead.
I'll have to test the existing wire.
The deck connector is a mess but maybe I can use the existing wiring.

Edited by - on

Brent
1st Mate

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USA
37 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2005 : 09:56:53

The wiring to my connector was a mess as well, and had pigtails spliced onto the ends by the PO. The wires tested ok though. I am sure there is more resistance than new wiring, but these lights are used relativly infrequently on my boat, and they draw very little power anyway. When they no long function I (or the next owner) will run new wire.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 04/20/2005 : 11:06:08

As an aside, I replaced my Halogen deck bulb with an old fashioned conventional bulb. The Halogen is so bright that it promotes night blindness when on, and attracts bugs from too far away. I am looking forward to a summer of a kinder, gentler light on my foredeck.

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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.