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Running cable through mast without unstepping

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  • July 24, 2011 8:36 AM
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    Message # 661877
    Anonymous member
    Can a cable for a wind transducer be run through the mast without unstepping it?
  • July 24, 2011 2:16 PM
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    Reply # 662015 on 661877
    Anonymous member
    If you have a spare wire in the conduit you could use it as a pull wire, or use an existing wire to pull 2 new ones in... this can be difficult if the wire you are pulling is wrapped around another wire..
    Personally, I think it can be done. A tabernacle mounted mast will be easier.
  • July 25, 2011 5:45 PM
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    Reply # 662986 on 661877
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    On Pygmalion, W32, the PVC tube is very full of wires and another would not fit.  Might be time to rewire the whole mast with new wires by using the existing wires to pull in new wires but then you will be on the mast and spreaders while you reterminate etc....

    Not many easy solutions ...

     Would be a great write up for a WindBlown article and with some photos - I'll add to the the FAQ / How To pages.

    Jay
  • July 26, 2011 12:17 PM
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    Reply # 663564 on 661877
    Anonymous member
    Both of the comments on the wires inside the tube are pretty much correct.
  • July 31, 2011 4:15 PM
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    Reply # 666730 on 661877
    Anonymous member
    Jay,

    I have a tricolor light and a steaming light on my mast. Do you have anything else going through your conduit?

    Frank
  • August 01, 2011 4:32 AM
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    Reply # 666975 on 661877
    Anonymous member
    Wow Frank, I've been trying to find info on steaming lights.  I need one but none of the marine catalogs list them any more.

    Is your steaming light on the masthead a true steaming light?  USCG requires that it be seen only forward (in the angles where your stern light can not be seen).  If so, can you provide make and model?

    An anchor light part of a tricolor masthead unit would not be useful as a steaming light.  If it were on at the same time as the red/green, a person dead ahead would see red green and white coming from the same point.
  • August 03, 2011 5:47 AM
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    Reply # 668530 on 661877
    Anonymous member
    Dick,

    My light is a true steaming light, a little above the spreaders, forward. I forgot that I also have spreader lights and a non-functional radar, but the radar cable does not, I believe, go through the conduit. I think the steaming light is by Perko, but I installed a led bulb in it, which seems to work well.

    On a related note, assuming I am able to run this cable, does anyone have any advice on how to run the cable from the top of the mast into the conduit? Is it better to drill a hole in the masthead or loop the cable around somehow? Again, this is a Raymarine wind transducer cable.

    Frank
  • August 03, 2011 6:17 AM
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    Reply # 668536 on 666730
    Anonymous member (Administrator)
    Frank Scalfano wrote:Jay,

    I have a tricolor light and a steaming light on my mast. Do you have anything else going through your conduit?

    Frank


    Frank:

    From memory - VHF antenna wire - the small diameter wire, Tricolor mast head with anchor light, Wind and direction sensor wire for sailing instruments and 2/3 up the mast the steaming light and to the spreaders the spreader lights.  There are at least 2 wires for the common / return plus power wire for each switchable device.  It was all prewired with the new mast at LaFiela (sp).

    On the subject of wires - there are wireless "solutions" for some instruments that are up the mast - with their own issues of course $$ being one.

    Frank and Dick:  I also have the Perko steaming light and have lots of issues with corrosion between the bulb and the bayonet connections - inspite of sealing around the base with Life Caulk.  I'm on the second one and have added anti corrosion stuff to the bulb connections area.  I'd rather have the all in one steaming light and foredeck light - seems to be made better.

    Hope this helps

    8/13/2011 - I checked the steaming light last weekend and it is again on and off depending on how hard I shake the forstay wire...

    Last modified: August 13, 2011 10:47 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
  • August 03, 2011 11:54 AM
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    Reply # 668898 on 661877
    Anonymous member
    I was working on the hole in the cabin top where all the wires come out of the base of the mast (the previous owner had used expanding foam to seal/waterproof the hole,) and I dug out a small braided rope. I went back to the old builder manual for the W32 and it says there was originally supposed to be a messenger line in the conduit. Do you think this might be it, and if so, after 35 years is it likely to be useful?

    Frank
  • August 04, 2011 7:19 AM
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    Reply # 669408 on 668898
    Anonymous member
    Frank Scalfano wrote:I was working on the hole in the cabin top where all the wires come out of the base of the mast (the previous owner had used expanding foam to seal/waterproof the hole,) and I dug out a small braided rope. I went back to the old builder manual for the W32 and it says there was originally supposed to be a messenger line in the conduit. Do you think this might be it, and if so, after 35 years is it likely to be useful?

    Frank


    The mast builders usually did put a messenger line in with the wiring bundle.  However after this many years, the line will probably break if you put any strain on it.  Better to use one of the existing wires to pull two new ones through, or to pull a new messenger line through.

    Better yet, take the mast off the boat, and properly service it.  After all, if it has given some 35 or 40 years of service, it deserves a proper refurbishing.
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