Recognise this electrical connector?

Tim Good

Tim Good

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My expensive masthead Aquasignal combined tricolour / anchor light stopped working after 3 years. On Inspection the little plastic connector block rusted up. Very odd it wasn't made with non corrosive parts.

Anyway I'm not getting a very quick response from them and I assume it might be fairly easy to obtain but I can't seem to find the same one. Wondered if any electric boffins recognise it?

6FFF41D3-2207-4EEC-816D-D34BECA7616E.jpeg

It has a metal insert much like standard blocks with a little screw to clamp down onto the wire. On the other side there is no screw or threads and the led light then slots into the top.

I may well just scale the mast and solder them on permanently but before I engage in high altitude soldering I thought I see if anyone knew the part.
 
One of these? series 34 ?

An attractive design and state of the art technology define the LED series 34. Absolutely maintenance-free, seawater resistant, UV-protected. Very low energy consumption, extremely long battery life.

I cannot find any spares listed for them but ten there would be no call for spares for something absolutely maintenance free

What parts are rusting. If it is just the grubscrews replace them with brass ones

image_2015-07-24--2.jpg
 
If it is the same size as the series 40 then the connector comes as part of the base

Aquasignal base.JPG
 
VicS said:
One of these? series 34 ?

An attractive design and state of the art technology define the LED series 34. Absolutely maintenance-free, seawater resistant, UV-protected. Very low energy consumption, extremely long battery life.

I cannot find any spares listed for them but ten there would be no call for spares for something absolutely maintenance free

What parts are rusting. If it is just the grubscrews replace them with brass ones

image_2015-07-24--2.jpg
Click to expand...


Yeah that it. The screws were totally rusted in there and couldn't be removed. I tried to drill out without success. Could drill out and solder the wires in perhaps.
 
Hi. it looks to be a ceramic version of the good old electrical choc block... is it ceramic? if so any electrical wholesaler will stock them. the ceramic blocks are used in high temp environments like industrial light fittings.

A standard choc block would work, but you'll need to sort of how waters getting in or the same will happen again.

regards
 
email the manufacturer saying something like "Oi whats all this maintenance free bit" and " where can I get a new connector" or even "gis us a new one mate"
Gotta be worth a blag, no?
 
Lon nan Gruagach said:
email the manufacturer saying something like "Oi whats all this maintenance free bit" and " where can I get a new connector" or even "gis us a new one mate"
Gotta be worth a blag, no?
Click to expand...

Yeah done that. Not being particularly fast with a response. May well get invesntove or go up the mast with an extension lead and soldering iron.

Still makes me wonder how some marine companies make things which will blantatnly rust in salty air when a non corrosive alternative must only cost a tiny bit more to make.
 
northcave said:
Yeah done that. Not being particularly fast with a response. May well get invesntove or go up the mast with an extension lead and soldering iron.

Still makes me wonder how some marine companies make things which will blantatnly rust in salty air when a non corrosive alternative must only cost a tiny bit more to make.
Click to expand...

If water is getting to those screws and contacts, then it's also getting to your wiring. It will be wicking down the wire strands, corroding as it goes.
Soon it will appear corroding whatever's on the other end of the cable.

My former colleague would tell you, wot u need is a heat source, like maybe an incandescent light bulb, to keep it warm and dry.....
 
savageseadog said:
I've never had a problem with those bases. I suspect that the OP must have assembled the light incorrectly.
Click to expand...

With all due respect there not much to them. The base is fixed and the top slots on. Besides it was fitted originally by the most respected rigger in Falmouth who I suspect does rather a few of these.
 
Does not help your immediate problem but can I suggest that on re-assembly you coat wires, terminals, screws, etc with a liberal dose of Contralube. Best waterproofing gunge going IMHO.
 
Ian_Edwards said:
I've had the same problem on the last 2 boats I've owned.

The water is probably from condensation, although it could get in when the mast is down for the winter.

I've replaced them with Blue Sea terminal blocks.

https://www.bluesea.com/products/2406/Terminal_Block_20A_-_6_Circuit

Although any quality brass or SS terminal block will do.
Click to expand...

Thanks unfortuantly it isn't that easy else I would just put any old marine terminal in here. This block is not a normal terminal where the wires go in both sides..... the light unit then slots into the top of he block where there would otherwise be screws for the other side of the terminal.

As such I need the identically sized block for it to work.
 
Not sure where you will get a terminal block like this but ordinary 5amp connector strip/block will fit onto the pins on the light. Nip up the screw to secure it and use the other screw for the wire - had to take my masthead light off last winter to fix and did this in the garage as a temporary connection but it would do the job permanently
 
Ross f said:
Not sure where you will get a terminal block like this but ordinary 5amp connector strip/block will fit onto the pins on the light. Nip up the screw to secure it and use the other screw for the wire - had to take my masthead light off last winter to fix and did this in the garage as a temporary connection but it would do the job permanently
Click to expand...

Fair advice. I think I'll go up the mast today with everything in the bag and work some fix out.

Giblets, the contralube suggestion is a good one.
 
I've got one of like that if you're not already up the mast.20180729_094052_resized.jpg
I don't remember exactly what model it came out of but it looks right. let me know if you want it.

Derek
 
northcave said:
My expensive masthead Aquasignal combined tricolour / anchor light stopped working after 3 years. On Inspection the little plastic connector block rusted up. Very odd it wasn't made with non corrosive parts.

Anyway I'm not getting a very quick response from them and I assume it might be fairly easy to obtain but I can't seem to find the same one. Wondered if any electric boffins recognise it?

View attachment 72354

It has a metal insert much like standard blocks with a little screw to clamp down onto the wire. On the other side there is no screw or threads and the led light then slots into the top.

I may well just scale the mast and solder them on permanently but before I engage in high altitude soldering I thought I see if anyone knew the part.
Click to expand...


This problem with the connector block in the Aqua Signal quickfit base has been mentioned on this forum on a few occasions.
My fix, which has been fine so far, is in post # 16 of this thread:
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?502557-Led-masthead-tri-anchor&p=6466742#post6466742
 
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