Electrical question - Mast top light |
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WJRyan 
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Joined: 12 February 2008 Location: Louisville, KY Status: Offline Points: 230 |
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 Topic: Electrical question - Mast top lightPosted: 26 September 2018 at 2:36pm |
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Greetings all. Light at top of mast isn't working but it is the breaker switch that won't stay on for longer than ~5 seconds that seems to be the reason. I can measure current going to the lines going up the mast until breaker pops and the light part way up mast facing forward is working. I checked the back of the breaker box and don't see anything loose, touching other wires, etc. so I turn to the community and ask where shall I begin to track this down? I replaced the bulbs (all of 'em!) to LED 3 years ago. Thanks!
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Bill Ryan,
Room4Crew, #155 |
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Bill Layton
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Joined: 15 September 2002 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 551 |
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Posted: 26 September 2018 at 2:47pm |
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You have a short on the green wire. This is the positive wire for the anchor light at the top of the mast that is attached to the anchor light breaker. Somewhere between the breaker and the mast tip it's shorted to ground somehow. Check connections at the light to be sure it's not touching the gnd. If you can't find anything switch breakers and see what happens. If nothing, then replace the green wire. It's all anyone can do. Good Luck!
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WJRyan
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Joined: 12 February 2008 Location: Louisville, KY Status: Offline Points: 230 |
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Posted: 01 October 2018 at 4:55pm |
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Thank you Bill! I would say your response was illuminating but I'm fearful you will get short with me!
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Bill Ryan,
Room4Crew, #155 |
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fatjohnz
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Joined: 05 August 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 304 |
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Posted: 02 October 2018 at 9:33am |
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This is a long shot Bill but one year we managed to step the mast and get the mast wiring pinched between deck plates. This caused the symptom you describe. js
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Bill Layton
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Joined: 15 September 2002 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 551 |
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Posted: 02 October 2018 at 9:44am |
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Agreed fatjohnz it's a likely spot, so are the solderless connectors in the light after 33 years. The green wire has been compromised.
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WJRyan
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Joined: 12 February 2008 Location: Louisville, KY Status: Offline Points: 230 |
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Posted: 02 October 2018 at 2:09pm |
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Thanks John (and Bill!) - I will go dig and hope I don't have to drop the mast!
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Bill Ryan,
Room4Crew, #155 |
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