Wiring a AquaSignal 40 Tricilour + Anchor

[Wandering Star]

Simple question I hope. I’ve bought an Aquasignal Tricolour masthead light unit with an anchor light. My mast is roughly 35’ tall. I’ve got LED lightbulbs in both the light sockets. I plan to wire them using a common negative supply so I understand I can use a 3 core cable to supply both lights?

So my question is what size cable should I be using bearing in mind all the things I don’t understand? Voltage drop, corrosion, etc etc. Any recommendations for a particular brand or supplier - the masts down at present and I don’t want to use unsuitable cable and find that out after the masts been stepped!

 

[wonkywinch]

S

Thread 'Aquasignal Masthead Tricolour advice'

9 Sep 2020

Our Aquasignal tricolour + Anchor combo masthead light was noted as being quite cloudy and needing replaced earlier this season. This was reaffirmed by the thing getting blown off in a bit of a blow last month heading south in the Minch. I think we had this one installed Aqua Signal Series 40 Quickfit 12V Masthead Type Tricolor and Anchor Light

Now I never had a chance to go up the mast to check the damage, but I presume the lens casing has blown away leaving behind the base. Looking on the internet & it seems sensible to replace with an LED unit and looking at the modern...

• scruff
• Replies: 12
• Forum: Practical Boat Owner's Reader to Reader

Personally I'd use marine grade 1.5mm/16AWG stranded tinned wire, not for the current rating but mechanical resilience.

Oceanflex are one brand.

 

[VicS]

I agree with wonkywinch. Use 3 core Oceanflex tinned 1.5mm² cable

It has thinner insulation than mains voltage rated cable meaning that 1.5mm² has about the same outside diameter as 1.0mm² domestic cable. The PVC is a tougher grade though.

The current drawn by the LED lights (0.18amp) is so small that voltage drop almost ceases to be of any concern.

Taking the total wire length , there and back and allowing a generous length for the below deck connection, of 27metres and 1.724 x 10^-8 ohm metre as the resistivity of copper you can calculate that at 0.18 amps the voltage drop will be only approx 56mV for 1.5mm² cable.

.

 

[Wandering Star]

Thanks, Furneaux Riddall have it.

 

[wonkywinch]

Thanks, Furneaux Riddall have it.

And 12v Planet - Oceanflex 3 Core Tinned Thin Wall Cable - 3 x 21A (1.5mm²)

 

[Wandering Star]

And 12v Planet - Oceanflex 3 Core Tinned Thin Wall Cable - 3 x 21A (1.5mm²)

I hadn’t checked that site but Furneaux Riddall seems cheaper for the same wire? 3 Core Oceanflex Tinned Thin Wall Cable 1.5mm/16 AWG 21A - Select Size

Edited to say in fairness, by the time VAT & shipping are added to the final invoice, there’s only pennies in the price difference between the companies.