Wiring Mast Lights

[Interim]

One of my winter projects is to install anchor and steaming lights.

What are the best ways to make a wiring disconnect at the base of the mast? My current idea is to use a 4 wire trailer harness connector. I am not finding other connectors that are made to be repeatedly attached/detached.

--john

[Spector]

Blue water sells the deck plug that is used on my X. I went with two male plugs on the mast side, one for anchor light wiring, one for Steaming light. I just plug in the appropriate one. Others have used Diode arrangements or LED bulb and switch arrangements that take advantage of polarity...

[133bhp]

trailers stuff is a bit agricultural and not water proof.

these are popular in the UK/Europe, worldwide dsitribution

http://www.bulgin.co.uk/Products/Buccan ... ndard.html

[Sumner]

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... de-42.html

Sumner

================================================

1300 miles to the Bahamas and back -- 2015

The MacGregor 26-S

The Endeavour 37

Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[C Buchs]

This is on the list for my this winter. I have one plug on the deck and two on the mast (one steaming & one masthead/anchor). The anchor light will work if I put dielectric grease on the plug and then wiggle it around. If I don't put on a fresh dab of grease, it won't work. Even though I have continuity through both leads on the steaming light, I've never been able to get it working. I plan to replace the deck fitting with a new one from BWY, put in LED bulbs and use their polarity with a switch. I'm hoping this will decrease the wear & tear on the connection and keep us off the deck in the dark changing plugs.

Maybe I should put in one of those 4 prong plugs that Sumner has. That cap looks a lot better then the old 2 prong I planned to replace.

Jeff

[Russ]

It's 2015, so you will want to use LED fixtures. They sip power and don't burn out or have filaments break from trailering vibration.

If you already have a set of wires going there, I would use the reverse polarity trick to toggle between Anchor and Steaming by reversing the polarity. You are not legally allowed to have both on simultaneously anyway. This allows for a 2 wire configuration. Otherwise you really only need 3 wires; ground, steaming, anchor where they share the ground.
http://www.macgregorsailors.com/modt/index.php?view=453

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... fgodhksEJQ

Or make your own from any DPDT switch like I did.



I'm using the cheap deck fitting Macgregor installed. Still works.
http://www.jmsonline.net/watertight-dec ... fgod9RkLLg

[fishheadbarandgrill]

I used the Sea Dog Polarized Electrical Connector P/N 426234-1. Really like it and it was a perfect fit in the existing deck penetration.

[81venture]

I used a 4-flat connector for my Venture23

it works well, is cheap, and should I ever need a replacement due to oops or corrosion I can quickly get another at ANY wal-mart or auto store..

I plan to most likeloy use the same plug for the when I start working on the lights on her mast

The one i used had caps on it....

[grady]

Use a good quality waterproof/resestant plug. Perferably gold contacts. I would put one in with extra connections for future expandability. I thought 9 pin would be plenty but have used up all the conections. I ended up using an Amphenol circular plastic conector and sealed the back side. Have not had any issues with it so far.

[Russ]

I thought 9 pin would be plenty but have used up all the conections.

What did you use 9 connectors for? Whatcha got up there?

[grady]

I thought 9 pin would be plenty but have used up all the conections.

What did you use 9 connectors for? Whatcha got up there?

Mast running lights
Anchor light
Mast head light
Spreader lights
Ground
Wind indicator takes up the last 4 pins.

[Russ]

I thought 9 pin would be plenty but have used up all the conections.

What did you use 9 connectors for? Whatcha got up there?

Mast running lights
Anchor light
Mast head light
Spreader lights
Ground
Wind indicator takes up the last 4 pins.

Cool. That sounds like something I would do. What, no light for the windex?
What kind of wind indicator did you use? The M's rotating mast becomes problematic here.

--Russ

[grady]

What did you use 9 connectors for? Whatcha got up there?

Mast running lights
Anchor light
Mast head light
Spreader lights
Ground
Wind indicator takes up the last 4 pins.

Cool. That sounds like something I would do. What, no light for the windex?
What kind of wind indicator did you use? The M's rotating mast becomes problematic here.

--Russ

The white nav doubles and shines on the windex.

I have the Garmin and they do make a mast compensating unit for it.

http://www.nexusmarine.se/products/mari ... s/mrc-box/

[Herschel]

I used the Sea Dog Polarized Electrical Connector P/N 426234-1.

I had LED steaming and anchor lights installed professionally at my marina, and this is the plug they used with the installation. I have found it very serviceable, and the lights are very reliable.

[Tomfoolery]

I thought 9 pin would be plenty but have used up all the conections.

What did you use 9 connectors for? Whatcha got up there?

Mast running lights
Anchor light
Mast head light
Spreader lights
Ground
Wind indicator takes up the last 4 pins.

What are the 'mast running lights'? The masthead is the 'steaming' light, and the anchor light is self-explanatory. Are you using a tri-color at the top when sailing after sundown?