Looked at the mast

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 2:21 pm

If you decide to replace the entire assembly AND the wiring, you might consider a combo steaming light and Fordeck light.

This would be quite handy for you if we do an overnighter this spring!

Scott

Alanhod · Post by **Alanhod** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 4:58 pm

Yea I'm looking online right now at a "Masthead/ForeDeck Light 10-20Watt - Aqua Signal, Part # 254047"

Web sight: http://www.iboats.com/Aqua_Signal_Serie ... _id.362712

However I'm still hoping to lower my power draw with LED's so I'm still looking.

I very much like the deck light idea, I was thinking of adding one facing forward and one facing aft on the spreaders like I saw on someone elses posting a month or two ago. Again I'm leaning more to the single unit like the Aqua Signal above.

Thanks
Alan

Alanhod · Post by **Alanhod** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 5:54 pm

I think I found one that would cost more then my boat did.

These babies are expensive in LED. The high side is $1000 range. I only paid $359 for my outboard.

Here's what I found in affordable masthead/decklight LED. I found one vender who is selling it for $55.

http://www.boatfix.com/shop3/store/view ... duct=15636

Cant find specks on power draw. I've requested it from the vender.

Thanks
Alan

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 3:35 pm

I like that one Alan,
remember,
if you are out after dark at anchor it does not take a lot of light to see around. If you are forward on deck for a specific reason, then a flashlight might be more appropriate but if you are hanging with a glass of wine, a blanket and your bride the simple light is great.

Scott

TravisJ · Post by **TravisJ** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 12:00 pm

I'm pretty sure I downloaded this photo from this website, but I can't seem to find the post again:

I was wondering who's mast that is and where they got that light fixture. I'm getting tired of climbing up my mast to change the bulbs out and clean the contacts. I would like to get a LED fixture to replace it. The closest one I found was this one below, but it has 4 mounting holes, not the 2 that I currently have with my Aqua Signal. Or did someone just put LED lights in their old Aqua Signal?
http://www.boatfix.com/shop3/store/view ... duct=18737

trev · Post by **trev** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 3:29 pm

That would be my mast. I bought the light on eBay. I think i only paid $45 on an auction from the same seller. It is a decent light for the money but is not Coast Guard approved because of the LED bulb in the steaming light.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SAILBOAT ... iesQ5fGear

mcrandall · Post by **mcrandall** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 6:24 pm

I bought the one Alan refers to above--Aqua Signal's Model#25404-7. Picked it up at West Marine for about $65. Doesn't say it's CG approved, but it is a 10watt halogen.

Looks like one of those LED bulb fixtures could replace the halogen, or vice versa.

Travis- How often do you have to change the halogen?

lecker68 · Post by **lecker68** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 6:52 pm

Alan my C-26 had an 1893 bulb 2 contact pos and neg where an 1156 is single contact and the neg is to the base.

Capt. Bondo · Post by **Capt. Bondo** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 10:28 am

69Shark wrote:... but if you are hanging with a glass of wine, a blanket and your bride the simple light is great. Scott

At that point the stars in the sky is all you should need

Alanhod · Post by **Alanhod** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 12:22 pm

Yup, I was looking for the light Trev installed on his boat too. The one in your photo. I could not find it and I did buy the "Aqua Signal 25 Masthead Deck 12V/10W Light ASL-234047"

Mine is not an LED light like I was looking for. The Steamer light portion looks like the same bulb, maybe a little larger then the OEM bulb setup that came on my boat. I was very excited when the package arrived, It looked really nice till I opened it.

On opening the clear plastic packaging over the whole assembly I found an issue. The Halogen Foredeck light has no cover.

No cover at all, naked bulb sitting in a reflector set to point down at the deck at about a 15 degree angle. Angle good, naked bulb, not good.

Now the upside, its USCG approved for power and sailboats up to 39 feet. The wiring looks easy. The mounting looks easy. I expect it will be an improvement over my OEM setup.

Drawback, not LED, but it is USCG approved, so I can live with this.

Drawback, naked Halogen bulb 3/4 of the way up my mast open to the elements. I can always lower the mast to replace the bulb but what a pain.

I paid $54.74 for the "Aqua Signal 25 Masthead Deck 12V/10W Light ASL-234047". I also got an LED anchor light at the same time "Hella Masthead/All Round 4" Light HLL-995003001" which is USCG approved for vessels up to 65 foot, for $23.87. I bought these back in September 2010 from JMS Online Marine Supply, www.jmsonline.net.

I have not installed these yet units. I figure I will rewire all of the mast at the same time. I have the wires and I have the fixtures. I only have one 2 wire water tight through hull plug for the current OEM Steamer light. I am planing on using it for the anchor light as it is a 2 wire setup.

The new "Aqua Signal 25 Masthead Deck 12V/10W Light ASL-234047" is a 3 wire arrangement. It has 2 + positive wires and 1 - negative wire. This will require a 3 wire water tight through hull plug.

I also need to replace my current none connected coax going to the antenna at the top of my mast. Again I need a water tight through hull plug for it. It has one of those 2 headed coax connectors going through the deck hull now. You know one of those male end on both sides, glassed into the hull now. It's a bit corroded so it must be replaced.

What I need is a single water tight through hull plug for all of these wires. While I'm at it I would like this plug to handle my current 5 wire need plus maybe another 4 or 5 wires all in one single water tight through hull plug. I don't want any more holes in my deck unless I have to. I have to be able to unplug my electrical from the mast so I can take it down for trailering.

So who has this single water tight electrical through hull plug for me

I need a recommendation please.

I would have had all this installed by now but I've not found a suitable plug yet. Can't say I've really looked though.

I had not yet truly decided until now that I am going to install this Steamer/Decklight combo. I definitely want it in for next Spring sailing season. Since mine is USCG approved. I will decide after testing if covering the halogen is a good idea or not. Could be a heat issue and that's why they did a bare bulb.

Thanks
Alan

Alanhod · Post by **Alanhod** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 12:36 pm

lecker68 wrote:Alan my C-26 had an 1893 bulb 2 contact pos and neg where an 1156 is single contact and the neg is to the base.

Yes I believe you are correct. I cleaned up the OEM light fixtures and replace the bulb, which I found at an auto parts store. I don't remember the bulb number. I'm sure you are correct. I just handed my un-marked bulb to the gal at the counter and she brought me back 2 more just like it for a dollar or two apiece. Shock of shocks my OEM bulb was still working. Well, likely one of the prior owners replaced it at least once since the boat was new.

Thanks
Alan

Holiday · Post by **Holiday** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 7:10 am

I used a masthead light on the my Ensign just like the one that came with the Chrysler. Three years ago I used a festoon type LED replacement bulb from Sunbrite LED's.com. There are 9 yellow high performance (in Sunbrite terms) LEDs on the bulb. It works great. I is difficult to tell if there is any difference in brightness when the battery is charged, and it is much better after a few hours with the running lights on.

skyking · Post by **skyking** » Sat Mar 26, 2011 4:25 am

trev wrote:That would be my mast. I bought the light on eBay. I think i only paid $45 on an auction from the same seller. It is a decent light for the money but is not Coast Guard approved because of the LED bulb in the steaming light.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SAILBOAT ... iesQ5fGear

Trev,

How do you like the new light..I bought the same one and as soon as the weather warms up a bit I'm going to install it.

Did you have to go to a 3 wire plug at the foot of the mast or did you do something different..

Tim

trev · Post by **trev** » Sat Mar 26, 2011 7:03 am

I like the light. The steaming light with the LED is plenty bright and meets the 2 mile requirement. The deck light lights up the foredeck more than enough to walk around and pull the anchor if needed.

I had to switch to a 4 pin plug and used a common ground on this light plus the anchor light.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... sNum=10615

skyking · Post by **skyking** » Sat Mar 26, 2011 9:15 am

Trev,

Are you running a seperate anchor light? in addition to the oem lights...I have the steaming light in conjunction with the stern light which ultimatly gives you 360* of illumination which is how I understand it..

If I'm wrong please correct me?

trev · Post by **trev** » Sat Mar 26, 2011 10:10 am

I am running a LED anchor light on top of the mast but also have the required stern light. I did this by personal choice, I was already running new wire up the mast so I figured one more wouldn't hurt plus I had a very close encounter at night with a powerboat (close enough that he cut my anchor rode with his prop) so I want to be able to light my boat up like a Christmas tree.

You are correct that it does provide the 360 required. From what I make out of the regs, with a 22' boat under sail or anchored, we don't need anything but a flashlight.