Built in Compass / Wasted Space Question

[usererror]

Now that I have my 3 light switches for the Anchor Light (which I don't think is truly anchor since it's not 360* (?) ), my navigation lights, and interior cabin light almost totally re-wired and fused and switched correctly...What do I do with this compass? I would like to connect it to the Navigation lights switch.

It looks like the top light on the compass works when I plug it directly to the battery. But what are the bottom two wires for? Is there a bottom light as well? I get resistance on both when I put an Ohm meter to each set of wires.

Also what do you 22's do with this space? I feel that this drawer thing is a waste of space. If you have pictures of your boat with this space better utilized, please share! Note: On top of the drawer thing is my copy of "Fix it and Sail It"



Thanks!

[Russ]

Why is your anchor light not 360 degrees?

Wires: Probably lights. That's the only thing it could be. Make sure they are twisted to avoid creating a magnetic field when powered.

--Russ

[Tomfoolery]

What Russ said - are your referring to the masthead (steaming) light, which is white, on the front of the mast, and sweeps 112.5 degrees horizontally each way from the boat's centerline, same as the sidelights (probably a single bi-color unit on the bow) other than the color?

If it's the masthead (steaming) light, it should be on it's own switch, as you only use it when under engine power, not while sailing. It identifies the boat as under power to other boats, which makes the rules of the road a little different than when it's not lit, meaning you're under sail. The stern light is also 2-mile, white, but only sweeps 135 degrees, and is the only light that shows when observing from more than 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on either side (where the stern light takes over, and the side and masthead lights fade out).

And no, it's couldn't be used as an anchor light if it's the masthead light. Either put one on top of the mast, or use a portable (white, 2-mile or better range) all-round light that you can plug into a power source and hang from some rigging. I prefer mine lower than the top of the mast, as I usually only anchor in crowded areas, and on top of the mast wouldn't be seen by other boats weighing anchor and racing back to the river after the fireworks show. For instance.

[usererror]

Thanks for clearing up my "anchor" light. The original switch plate says it is an "anchor" light, but as you mentioned, it is apparently a "steaming" light instead.

I'll find something 360* for next week, probably battery powered for now.

I am just ecstatic that my lights work right now, as they are. Now I can move onto other things.

Thank you!!

-Mark

[RobertB]

From a previous thread, I added an anchor light without adding any switches

Figured out a great way to add an anchor light without adding any switches to operate it.

The boat comes with two switches - one for the navigation lights (bow bicolor and stern white) and a second for the masthead light.

I used the much discussed method of using existing mast wiring by using an LED bulb in the masthead light and an LED anchor light at the top of the mast (and running the two lights with polarity reversed to each other). After drilling with 1/2 inch steel conduit thru the styrofoam for close to 20 feet , I enlarged the hole at the masthead light and tied in the wire for the anchor light there.

I chose not to add another switch to reverse the polarity of the wiring to the mast but instead wired in a DPDT relay. Essentially, the relay switches the polarity of the wires from the masthead switch and uses the voltage from the running lights as the trigger to do this.

So, operation is as follows - Running Lights = switch 1 (SW1), Mast Lights = Switch 2 (SW2):

Sailing: SW1 on, SW2 off [front bicolor and stern lights]
Motoring: SW1 on, SW2 on [front bicolor, masthead, and stern lights]
Anchored: SW1 off, SW2 on [anchor light top of mast]

Works great with no added complexity to the switching.

[kurz]

Well I guess inventing a new anchor light: LED technique and installing some very small solar panels at the mast top and a small battery akku IN the mast. ON/OFF with a remote like for TV.