Source for Mastlight 2-pin Connector?

A forum for discussing topics relating to MacGregor Powersailor Sailboats
User avatar
David Mellon
Captain
Posts: 507
Joined: Tue Mar 14, 2006 12:16 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Anaheim, CA-Yamphibian, Yamaha 70, MACM1376C606

Re: Source for Mastlight 2-pin Connector?

Post by David Mellon »

I just ordered mine through Amazon: Marpac Polarized Power Outlet. I no longer use my mast for trips to Catalina. I also have knee problems, so I have a plan. I am designing a pole which will clip into the mast foot. It will have a solid rod to the pulpit and a line to the gallows. This will give me a solid rail to steady myself as I move forward to grab a mooring flag or deal with an anchor. Adding a light on top is an obvious move. I am considering using square aluminum stock for this project, it is stiff, light and non ferrous. I will post pictures when it is completed.
User avatar
frede
Engineer
Posts: 114
Joined: Thu Mar 24, 2011 6:16 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Washington Sailing Marina, Alexandria VA - 2005 26M 50hp Honda - Kool Breeze
Contact:

Re: Source for Mastlight 2-pin Connector?

Post by frede »

I was hoping this thread would list a source for an LED bulb for the mast light
User avatar
March
Captain
Posts: 970
Joined: Wed May 24, 2006 7:54 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Iowa, MacGregor 26X, Yamaha 4 stroke 50 HP

Re: Source for Mastlight 2-pin Connector?

Post by March »

frede wrote:
I was hoping this thread would list a source for an LED bulb for the mast light
Yeah, me, too. The anchor light half way up the mast. The original is a tubular incandescent which really drains the battery at night. Has anyone replaced it with LEDs?
User avatar
Cougar
Engineer
Posts: 161
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2015 3:02 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Leeuwarden, Netherlands

Re: Source for Mastlight 2-pin Connector?

Post by Cougar »

March wrote: Yeah, me, too. The anchor light half way up the mast. The original is a tubular incandescent which really drains the battery at night. Has anyone replaced it with LEDs?
I have. What you need is a barrel end festoon LED, as used in a number of Aqua Signal housings. I can't remember the length, but I think it was something like 32 mm. I may have the incandescent light lying around somewhere.
User avatar
Rumdirty
Engineer
Posts: 123
Joined: Thu Mar 19, 2015 7:56 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Mount Holly, NJ. 2005 26M, Honda BF50
Contact:

Re: Source for Mastlight 2-pin Connector?

Post by Rumdirty »

Try this... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B85 ... ge_o01_s00

It was just mentioned on Facebook. Funny, I commented that the guy needed to post all his Led lights conversions over here.

Rum
User avatar
Tomfoolery
Admiral
Posts: 6135
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:42 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Rochester, NY '99X BF50 'Tomfoolery'

Re: Source for Mastlight 2-pin Connector?

Post by Tomfoolery »

March wrote:
frede wrote:
I was hoping this thread would list a source for an LED bulb for the mast light
Yeah, me, too. The anchor light half way up the mast. The original is a tubular incandescent which really drains the battery at night. Has anyone replaced it with LEDs?
Umm, that would be the masthead light, aka 'steaming light', used only while under power. What are you doing for the other 135 degrees of white light coverage?

For anyone interested, West Marine now has their own brand of 2-mile all-round white LED light on a stub post with base for only $27. I have no idea how well it will hold up, but I'm thinking about trying one just for grins.
User avatar
DHK79
Chief Steward
Posts: 61
Joined: Thu Jun 05, 2014 6:32 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Alexandria, VA

Re: Source for Mastlight 2-pin Connector?

Post by DHK79 »

When I re-wired my masthead light, I used the following PERKO flush mounted plug since I could tell the old one had been kicked often by the PO.

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/perko--wa ... 75_007_008

Image

Doug (DHK79) :macx:
Y.B.Normal
First Officer
Posts: 335
Joined: Sat Jan 26, 2008 2:55 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Western PA

Re: Source for Mastlight 2-pin Connector?

Post by Y.B.Normal »

I found that there's some interferance between my Perko light fitting and the haylard. ( I have the haylards led back to the cockpit.) Someone posted on another link on this site about using a 2 wire trailer connector. It's more flexible yet still waterproof. I may change over to this in the future.
User avatar
Cougar
Engineer
Posts: 161
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2015 3:02 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Leeuwarden, Netherlands

Re: Source for Mastlight 2-pin Connector?

Post by Cougar »

Rumdirty wrote:Try this... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B85 ... ge_o01_s00

It was just mentioned on Facebook. Funny, I commented that the guy needed to post all his Led lights conversions over here.

Rum
That's not the right one. Normal festoon bulbs are pointed. Barrel end festoon is dimpled. Like this: http://marineledshop.com/navigation-bul ... el-festoon
User avatar
Rumdirty
Engineer
Posts: 123
Joined: Thu Mar 19, 2015 7:56 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Mount Holly, NJ. 2005 26M, Honda BF50
Contact:

Re: Source for Mastlight 2-pin Connector?

Post by Rumdirty »

Ahh.. so our bulbs are all dimpled? Good to know. I haven't done the conversion yet (it'll be a fall project along with an anchor light).
User avatar
Tomfoolery
Admiral
Posts: 6135
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:42 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Rochester, NY '99X BF50 'Tomfoolery'

Re: Source for Mastlight 2-pin Connector?

Post by Tomfoolery »

The masthead (steaming) light is, but not the bicolor sidelights and stern light.

Image

Image

Image

FWIW, that's the only bulb I wouldn't bother changing, as the other nav lights, and the anchor light, can and are used without the engine running, but the masthead (steaming) light by definition runs with the engine when it's used.

I was bored, and working on taking the mast off for trawler mode this weekend, so I snapped some pics. :D :wink:
User avatar
March
Captain
Posts: 970
Joined: Wed May 24, 2006 7:54 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Iowa, MacGregor 26X, Yamaha 4 stroke 50 HP

Re: Source for Mastlight 2-pin Connector?

Post by March »

I thought that the light half-way up the mast was actually the anchor light. At least that;'s how it's wired on my 26X.
So what's the deal with the "steaming light"?

That's the light I keep on during the night--and the engine is certainly not on at that time
User avatar
Jeff L
Engineer
Posts: 147
Joined: Sat Sep 14, 2013 10:46 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Dayton, Nevada, "After You II"

Re: Source for Mastlight 2-pin Connector?

Post by Jeff L »

Anchor light is to be located at the mast head. This so it can be seen for 360 degrees,
at a distance of two miles. The light located just under half way up the mast is the
steaming light, and is to be lit at night while under power, but not at night while under sail.
It can not be seen 360 degrees at night, as the anchor light has to be seen when anchored.

The steaming light is to be wired to its own switch, so it can be turned on or off independent
of all the other lights on the boat. The Anchor light should also have its own independent
switch so it can be operated independently, of other lights on the boat...
Last edited by Jeff L on Thu Jun 04, 2015 1:52 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
kurz
Admiral
Posts: 1307
Joined: Mon Dec 06, 2010 9:07 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Zürich, Switzerland, Europe

Re: Source for Mastlight 2-pin Connector?

Post by kurz »

as a two pin connector I took two of these banana connectors:

Image

one of them I grindet down till the size was perfect.
Put much of vaseline to protect... works fine for me...
User avatar
Rumdirty
Engineer
Posts: 123
Joined: Thu Mar 19, 2015 7:56 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Mount Holly, NJ. 2005 26M, Honda BF50
Contact:

Re: Source for Mastlight 2-pin Connector?

Post by Rumdirty »

Tomfoolery wrote:
I was bored, and working on taking the mast off for trawler mode this weekend, so I snapped some pics. :D :wink:
Thank you so much! Those pics are perfect!
Post Reply