Mast Lights

[Jjk2783]

I am a noob to the cruising world, so bear with me...


My steaming lights and deck lights on my IP31 are not working. They are new-replaced by the seller, who sent pics of them working when the mast was off the boat. I also had them working briefly after the mast was stepped.

That said, could someone kindly let me know the steps I should take to get them running? Please assume I know nothing-because It is true...

Thank you

[s/v Jedi]

You need to find somebody who know electric circuits a bit and who own a multimeter and can use it.

Good luck!

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Jjk2783.

[Jjk2783]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Jjk2783.

Thanks all. I expect to be more a consumer of information than a producer at this point.

[Captain Bill]

typically there is a connector at the bottom of the mast that allows the wires to be disconnected when the mast is unstepped. I would check that connection first. It may have come loose of corroded depending on how long it has been since tha mast was stepped. You can also check the voltage there to see if you are getting power to the bottom of the mast. If no power is getting to the bottom of tha mast check your switches. If it's not the connector I would suspect the ground wire first. The deck lights and steaming lights do not share a power switch, but they probably use a common ground connection.

[Paul Elliott]

Also, bulbs do burn out, and their sockets become corroded. Corrosion isn't usually such an issue at the masthead (it can be brutal on deck-level bow / side lights), but it's a possibility.

Are these incandescent lights, or LEDs? Do you have a voltmeter? Can you measure current (clamp-on DC ammeter)?

[Cheechako]

As mentioned, turn the switch on and check for power at the base of the mast. There should be a terminal strip or etc down there. Get yourself a cheap multi meter or a 12v test light with probe. Connecting to neg and positive terminals should get you ~12v reading on the meter or the light should light up. If you dont have power to the base of the mast, look at the back of your electrical switch panel. do the same thing there. at the switch or fuse holder.. etc etc.
12v wiring is really simple, everything has a ground and a hot wire. The hot is usually red.