Mast light wiring options

[DanLXIX]

Our new (to us) boat is about to go on the hard for the winter, and I'm using that time to do some upgrades.

One of the things I don't fully understand are the choices made when originally wiring the mast lights. There are two switches on the control panel for lights; nav and mast. Nav lights are obvious, but the mast switch turns on power to a 3 way rotary fitted next to the mast foot which allows you to switch between steaming, deck, and anker lights. Now I understand the logic of a choice of steaming and anker, but why would you not want the choice of being able to switch on the deck light separately? I'm considering whether to mess around changing this.

I'm aware that a 40 year old boat will often have weird wiring but I think this is original configuration, so I'm curious how others have this configured.

 

[[70521]]

The deck light is to illuminate the deck when you you need some light on it. When you are underway it us unlikely that you need the deck illuminated as it will ruin night vision.

 

[Kwik Decision]

The deck light is to illuminate the deck when you you need some light on it. When you are underway it us unlikely that you need the deck illuminated as it will ruin night vision.

However when anchored you may well wish to use the deck light in addition to the anchor light, particularly if the anchor light is at the top of the mast, and you want to make yourself more visible to other yachts coming into the anchorage.

If it were my boat and I had a reasonable budget I would a) replace the nav lights, anchor light and deck light with LED ones and b) either replace the rotary switch with separate switches, or, better if you can run the cables reasonably easily and have space for them, fit separate switches at the control panel.

 

[DanLXIX]

That is broadly what I was thinking - having to dig around under seating in the cabin to switch lights just seems too much faff

 

[Stemar]

Changing all lights on board to LED is a very useful improvement. The chances are that filament nav lights are getting pretty tired anyway, and warm white LED lights in the saloon are just so much better - more light for a lot less power. Dimmable lights add flexibility - bright for food prep or route planning, dimmer for an after dinner drink

 

[[70521]]

However when anchored you may well wish to use the deck light in addition to the anchor light, particularly if the anchor light is at the top of the mast, and you want to make yourself more visible to other yachts coming into the anchorage.

That is only because they have their eyes glued to their chart plotter.

 

[Refueler]

Owners have varying ideas and you get to see some ...

I can understand the logic of a switch at mast - then anyone fwd working anchor / genny - if needed can switch on ... but personally - I like the individual switch on main panel better. Either/ or switches are not on my list !

 

[rogerthebodger]

I have a 6 position rotary switch that has the following positions

Off
Sail
power
Tricolour
Anchor
Anchor Auto

The Anchor Auto used a light cell to daylight sensor to switch the anchor light on a dusk and off at daybreak

https://flic.kr/p/WonvgQ

The right side has Leds to show which lights are working

My deck light and spreader lights are on separate switched but have indicators on the nav light panel

 

[DanLXIX]

Ooh, I like the idea of having a daylight sensor!

 

[thinwater]

It is also quite simple to add wireless switches to allow operation from on deck etc. They've become tiny and cheap.

 

[[70521]]

My system is all controlled from the switch panel.

• Deck level nav lights;
• Steaming light;
• Masthead tri light;
• Anchor light; and
• Deck light.

Now the clever bit:

• If the deck level or masthead nav lights are on and I switch the anchor light on then the nav lights are switched off;
• If the masthead tri is on and I turn the steaming light on the masthead is switched off and the deck lights are switched on.
• The deck light is on/off and only ever switched on when working on deck. Although I will now consider using it in pitch black nights, how rare are those, with all these blind sailors about.

Given all that clever switching I still need to raise the anchor ball manually!

As an aside. I have a nice blue reflective stipe at the top of the hull and my guard lines, they are dyneema, have reflective flecks in sheath. Does the panel think that this might save my vessel from these blind sailors in tight anchorages? I hope that they are using a decent spotlight/head torch to weave their way past all the buoys. Or do some people close their eyes and use 'the force' to guide them to their perfect anchorage?

Sailing up Southampton Water last year we were passed by a cruise ship that looked like a disco ball - confused the hell out of me - but wonder if this the way to go for these blind sailors - or should I just give sound signals using my bagpipes?

 

[fredrussell]

Changing all lights on board to LED is a very useful improvement. The chances are that filament nav lights are getting pretty tired anyway, and warm white LED lights in the saloon are just so much better - more light for a lot less power. Dimmable lights add flexibility - bright for food prep or route planning, dimmer for an after dinner drink

…and replace in-mast wiring if it’s not tinned. After 40 years any copper stuff will be tired.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

Keep it simple for navigation lights. It does not require any degree of complication.

Get a copy of the “12 Volt Bible”. The book has a really simple wiring diagram, which reduces wires in the mast for anchor, and tri lights.

 

[bergie]

The deck light is to illuminate the deck when you you need some light on it. When you are underway it us unlikely that you need the deck illuminated as it will ruin night vision.

We use it if we need to do a sail change (for instance to hoist the staysail) in the dark.

I've added "smart" relays for the anchor and deck lights. Anchor light goes on and off automatically (using time of day, sun set/rise times, and Signal K anchor alarm state).

For deck light we connected a garage door remote so we can also switch it on when arriving with dinghy at night.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Fit a double pole On-Off-On switch, Nav lights on - Off - Nav lights and steaming light on. Saves a switch.

Separate switches for anchor and deck lights.

 

[[70521]]

We use it if we need to do a sail change (for instance to hoist the staysail) in the dark.

Deck lights are ideal for that sort of work. A cracking picture by the way.

As I usually single hand I set a very conservative sail plan during the dark hours as I prefer to stay in the cockpit.

 

[Refueler]

Fit a double pole On-Off-On switch, Nav lights on - Off - Nav lights and steaming light on. Saves a switch.

Separate switches for anchor and deck lights.

Its interesting subject for me ... as you say for a Sailboat .. the provision of separate Steaming light is needed ...

The Motor Boat I acquired has similar arrangement ... separate steaming light ... methinks previous owners may have been sailboaters before !! Or I think maybe not having an anchor light - they considered just using the steaming light (totally wrong of course) ...

I intend to fit an LED allrounder on that fwd light / pendant staff.... and wire the steaming light into the general nav light switch.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Its interesting subject for me ... as you say for a Sailboat .. the provision of separate Steaming light is needed ...

The Motor Boat I acquired has similar arrangement ... separate steaming light ... methinks previous owners may have been sailboaters before !! Or I think maybe not having an anchor light - they considered just using the steaming light (totally wrong of course) ...

I intend to fit an LED allrounder on that fwd light / pendant staff.... and wire the steaming light into the general nav light switch.

You can do that, you can also have an allround white instead of a stern and steaming light, because of the length of boat.

 

[Refueler]

You can do that, you can also have an allround white instead of a stern and steaming light, because of the length of boat.

Thread drift sorry ...

The boat has OEM steaming and stern lights as part of the design parts ...

I have to source a new stern staff for ensign ... so thinking maybe to mount all rounder there ... instead of fwd ... the socket for the staff though is a weird size ! Its also part of the stern light fitting.