Add Wiring to Power Masthead & Steaming Light on a TY Senior

[MHBsailor]

Hello, I would like to add a masthead light and steaming light to a Typhoon Senior and have heard that some of the original Spartan masts had a conduit pipe that ran the length of the mast to eliminate the wire from banging against the inside of the mast while underway. Do any of you know specifically if the original mast on the Typhoon Senior had such conduit pipe in the mast, and if so if it was separate or a channel that was part of the mast extrusion?

Also, any recommendation for wire sizes? No idea what the factory used, but I'm thinking about installing a USCGS-approved MarineBeam LED masthead/tricolor light (https://store.marinebeam.com/classic-st ... s-fixture/) or USCGS-approved MarineBeam Smart LED Tri-Color, Anchor Light, and Strobe (N3-TRI-CMB) (https://store.marinebeam.com/smart-led- ... 3-tri-cmb/) and

USCGS-approved MarineBeam LED steaming light (https://store.marinebeam.com/led-masthe ... ming-light/) or USCGS-approved MarineBeam LED Masthead/Foredeck Combination Light (https://store.marinebeam.com/led-masthe ... ion-light/)

Thank you!

[Frenchy]

The Spartan CD-3 mast section shown on the rig-rite web site doesn't show any provision for mast wires. Perhaps you could
insert soft foam blocks in the mast to quiet the wires. - Jean

[tjr818]

Swim noodles are great for quieting mast wires

[wikakaru]

WIRE SIZE
For wire size you need to know 3 things: the length of the wire run, the current draw of the item being powered, and the voltage (in this case 12 volts). You should measure the distances necessary for the wire runs on your boat, but as a rough estimate, I believe the Typhoon Sr. mast is somewhere around 28 feet. Add 15-20 feet to run the wire inside the boat, depending on where your electrical panel is, so let's call it 50 feet in round numbers. Current draw of the light fixtures you mention is 0.4 amps at 12 volts. I used the voltage drop calculator at https://www.calculator.net/voltage-drop-calculator.html. 18AWG wire will get you a bit over 2% voltage drop, which is well below the maximum recommend 3% drop for critical systems like navigation lights.

CONDUIT
Instead of running conduit, string three large cable ties together around the cable and tighten them so the ties stick out about 120 degrees from each other. When the wire is run inside the mast it will keep the wire roughly centered in the mast. Do this every few feet. There will be plenty of room for halyards to run without snagging. DON'T use pool noodles as some of the other posters have suggested. They will add friction to your halyards, add unnecessary weight in the mast, and will eventually disintegrate under use. See this pic: http://www.lifeonthehook.com/wp-content ... Cable2.jpg

Good luck on your project!

[MHBsailor]

Thanks wikakaru for the detailed explanation