[Rhodes22-list] masthead light - steaming vs. all around

[cjlowe at sssnet.com]

Jesse,
If finances permit, I would replace that whole unit with an all around led
anchor light. It looks like the lenses are starting to fog from UV
exposure. I would guess that your light is a converted incandescent light
with led bulbs. The metal contacts that deliver the volts to the bulbs are
the weak point in that set up. If you trailer sail it's no big deal to
change the bulb or clean the contacts, but if you don't drop the mast all
season, it cuts into sailing time. I would also recommend a steaming/deck
light combo for the front of the mast. Its great if you have to anchor or
set up the pop top enclosure after dark.
Has anybody had an anchor light failure (with an led bulb) from dirty
contacts?
If any of this interests you I can show you how to control two lights with
two wires.

Jerry Lowe S/V Country Rhodes '86




Jesse,
>
> I can’t help with the LED replacement question, but…
>
> When I picked up my recycled boat at General Boats in 2016, it had a
> steaming light a few feet down from the top of the mast.  My plans for the
> boat involved a lot of overnight anchoring, and not much in the way of
> night sailing or motoring.  I put a 360 degree anchor light on the top of
> the mast and moved the wires to power it rather than the steaming light.
> On the rare occasions when I do motor at night, I’ll leave the anchor
> light on.  I don’t think this is quite legit, since the light pattern
> from the stern is not right, but I don’t lose any sleep over it.
>
> Peter Nyberg
> Coventry, CT
> s/v Silverheels (1988/2016)
>
>> On Nov 9, 2019, at 9:07 PM, Jesse Shumaker
>> <jesse.laten.shumaker at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> I was under the impression that my masthead light was a steaming light
>> (just
>> light on the front) and that is all I recall seeing when I looked up
>> from my
>> boat.  However, the rear light is recessed compare to the front light so
>> maybe I would need to be further back from the boat to see it.
>>
>> I've read past posts covering the debate between steaming vs. all around
>> anchor light.  It's my understanding that it is acceptable to use an all
>> around anchor light at the top and can even use that while under power
>> at
>> night along with the running lights for a boat of this size.  I was
>> hoping
>> to have an all around anchor light on top of the mast since I plan to do
>> some overnight anchoring next year.
>>
>> Now that I have my mast down for the season, I took a closer look and
>> was
>> surprised to find what appears to be LEDs lights on both the front and
>> the
>> back.  So, maybe I have an all around light after all.
>>
>> From reading prior posts, it sounds like others found that the mast head
>> light that comes standard on R22s is a steaming light.
>>
>> I have a few questions that others may be able to shed light (pun
>> intended)
>> on based on the photos:
>> - Is this the standard mast head light for R22s?  If so, do you know the
>> make and model?
>> - Have others found this working as an all around anchor light instead
>> of a
>> steaming light?
>> - Where can replacement LEDs be purchased?
>> - Do the LEDs just pop right out for replacement?  I didn't try yet
>> since I
>> didn't want to break anything.
>>
>> <http://rhodes-22.1065344.n5.nabble.com/file/t907/SideView.jpg>
>> <http://rhodes-22.1065344.n5.nabble.com/file/t907/Side2.jpg>
>> <http://rhodes-22.1065344.n5.nabble.com/file/t907/FrontLED.jpg>
>> <http://rhodes-22.1065344.n5.nabble.com/file/t907/RearLED.jpg>
>>
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Jesse
>> S/V Zephyr
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Sent from: http://rhodes-22.1065344.n5.nabble.com/
>
>