Going up the mast? I put new 14/2 wiring up my mast while it was horizontal on saw horses this spring before stepping. And THAT was a pain in the ass! I would hate to do that job from a bosun's chair 40 feet above the deck, no thanks. If you have conduit in your mast it makes things a lot easier, if not, then you're in the same camp as me .. I had snags galore fishing that wire through, major pain in the ass. However, I did drill a new hole for the anchor light (boat never had one installed prior) on the mast head and I tapped holes for the screws and did it proper. Drilling into the mast isn't a big deal, aluminum is soft and you can get tap sets for cheap if you need to screw anything in. I don't recommend the self-tappers, do it right with SS bolts and the correct tap .. tefgel too. What is the draw on the spreader lights? I would think that 16/2 wouldn't be a problem but maybe you're simply dealing with voltage drop??? How long is the run?
On Thu, Aug 16, 2012 at 1:51 PM, Joel Aronson <joel.aron...@gmail.com>wrote: > Women! What did you expect? > Use the handheld and sail during daylight. > > Does the wire exit at the base of the mast or cabin top? Crushed at exit > point? > Wish I had more constructive ideas. > > On Thu, Aug 16, 2012 at 1:44 PM, djhaug...@juno.com <djhaug...@juno.com>wrote: > >> Okay so, Lolita is being VERY high maintenance! >> >> I installed new lights up the mast. I put a mega light at the top, I >> used another megalight as a deck light and installed a new steaming light. >> >> I don't know what happened but, I think something in the mast let go. >> There is some downward pressure on the wire heading up to the masthead >> light and the antenna wire seems to have completely disappeared. I did not >> replace this wire and on the wire that goes up to my wind masthead >> transducer. >> So, the light doesn't work and the wind instrument does all kinds of crazy >> crap.... >> >> Then, the deck/steaming light with 2 separate, new, 16/2 boat cables run >> up to them are glowing very dimly. When I test with a spare megalight at >> the base wiring block I get normal power to all 3 wires to the 3 lights. >> >> My questions are; >> >> 1. what could have happened >> >> 2. any idea how to rectify the situation. >> >> 3. I'm not planning of ever being more than a few miles from land at any >> given time, will my hand held VHF be good enough for the rest of this >> season? >> >> 4. Can the deck light, (providing I get the low current thing figured >> out) used with the stern light give me the 360 degree light I need to >> suffice for the mast head light? >> >> If I do figure out the deck/steaming issue, can I get away without going >> all the way up the mast? Even if I get up there and find that the wires >> all pulled down into the mast, there isn't a lot I can do about it. >> Running new wires where no wire exists currently would be an exercise in >> futility. There are some small holes at the top of the mast and even >> smaller where the wire exit the mast in the cabin. >> >> I think going up the the steaming/deck light is in order to check those >> connections...I must have made crappy connections somehow. I got new butt >> connectors, used the nice crimping tool that Wally Bryant recommended and >> covered the connections in shrink wrap.... >> >> It is just so strange that both light fixtures are dim, when they are >> separate all the way back to separate switches on the panel. >> >> I'm also having running light issues... I think the panels are very old >> and tired and in need of attention if not replacement. Ugh...I just want >> to go sailing now, dammit! >> >> As always, thanks for any insights, comments and suggestions... >> >> Danny >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album >> http://www.cncphotoalbum.com >> CnC-List@cnc-list.com >> >> > > > -- > Joel > 301 541 8551 > > _______________________________________________ > This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album > http://www.cncphotoalbum.com > CnC-List@cnc-list.com > >
_______________________________________________ This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album http://www.cncphotoalbum.com CnC-List@cnc-list.com
