[Rhodes22-list] Wiring documentation - adding combination deck and steaming light

[Peter Nyberg]

David,

Sorry to be slow to respond to this.  I wasn’t sure that I had anything useful to say, but then a thought occurred to me.

If your boat is wired like mine, there is a 2-conductor wire that runs from the breaker panel down along the hull behind where the ice-box was (or maybe still is), then forward under the cabinet base, then under the head floor, and finally up a wire chase along side the compression post to a through-deck fitting at the base of the mast.  

Your plan calls for 4 conductors going up the mast (3 lights with a common ground).  Getting 2 more conductors from the base of the mast all the way back to the breaker panel would be a PITA.  You’ll also need 3 switches to control the three lights.  You’re already using one in the breaker panel (I’ll assume this is labeled ‘Anchor’), but you probably don’t have two unused switches available there.

My suggestion is to re-label the ‘Anchor’ breaker panel switch as ‘Mast Lights’.  Install 3 switches somewhere near the top of the compression post, and label these ‘Anchor’, ‘Steaming’, and ‘Deck’.  Use the existing wire from the breaker panel as a common power source and common ground for these 3 circuits. 

One other thing I can say from recent personal experience is that making the wiring connections to the through-deck fitting was also a PITA.  I was using three 18 AWG wires. Connecting 4 wires will be even more challenging.

Best of luck. Let us know how the project unfolds, even if you don’t follow any of my suggestions. :^)

Peter Nyberg
Coventry, CT
s/v Silverheels (1988/2016)



[ Sent From rhodes22.net ]

> On 2024-05-05, at 14:21:38 EDT, DAVID BERG wrote:
>
> I’m about to attempt to service and upgrade the masthead light situation on my 
> 1996/200? Rhodes 22. I haven’t gone into full troubleshooting mode, but Initial 
> forrays into the circuit panel left me scratching my head a bit. This was a 
> couple of years ago, so I don’t remember exactly what I had found. 
> 
> I have found some helpful diagrams in the archive, particularly those drawn by 
> Cris Cowie, which have shed light on wiring issues. 
> 
> I’m contemplating adding a combination steaming/deck light, so I can probably 
> relegate the masthead light to anchor-light duty only. I believe it was/is 
> originally intended to serve as both steaming and anchor light. I’m wondering if 
> anyone else has any wiring diagrams or information to share regarding wiring 
> documentation on the 1990s vintage Rhodes. 
> 
> Thanks,
> David Berg
> Minneapolis, MN
> s/v Blue Loon (1996/200?)
> 
> PS: Thanks, Peter, for the info on the wire slapping fix. I think I may still 
> use zip ties, but your knowledge is useful, as always. 
>