Harlan, do you mean that sometimes they come on and sometimes they
don't? Are you talking about bi-color bow lights, masthead tri-color,
steaming or anchor or what? if you are referring to ALL your nav
lights and if they are all doing the same thing, the problem is
probably somewhere closer to the panel. You will have to be more
specific about the nature of the problem.

Peter
s/v Now or Never!


Harlan Lachman wrote:
I hate the nav lights that came with my J/100. The days when they have
worked are less than 40% of the time I have tried to turn them on.

Does anyone have a fool proof plan for lights that work? Should I
replace mine with LEDs (I haven't much paid attention to the LED threads
so I am not sure they are legal or work). If my problem is bad wiring,
is there a wireless solution (or inexpensive one).

I plan to cruise next summer and take my daughter night sailing. But not
if I cannot fix these problems.

Harlan

--
To respond, obviously drop the "nospan"?

In article .com,
"Peter" wrote:

Harlan, do you mean that sometimes they come on and sometimes they
don't? Are you talking about bi-color bow lights, masthead tri-color,
steaming or anchor or what? if you are referring to ALL your nav
lights and if they are all doing the same thing, the problem is
probably somewhere closer to the panel. You will have to be more
specific about the nature of the problem.

Peter
s/v Now or Never!

Peter, sorry for the sloppy post.

Yes, the bi-color bow lights did not light up the other night. This is
at least the third time that has happened in the two years I have owned
my otherwise wonderful boat. On a previous time, stepping on the light
got it to turn on. Not last night.

Yes, the steaming light on the mast did not work all last year and most
of this year (although it did when checked by yard -- or at least they
said it did). Ironically, it worked the other night when it and the
stern lights were the only lights to work.

I have no anchor lite but I do have a panel switch for it.

I think the stern lights has worked each time.

So, I think safety and courtesy require me to find a permanent nav light
solution.

Is that clearer or am I still being sloppy?

TIA,

harlan

--
To respond, obviously drop the "nospan"?

On a previous time, stepping on the light
got it to turn on. Not last night.

If you're stepping or banging on something as important as navigation lights
was already a sign you needed to be replacing them!

Yes, the steaming light on the mast did not work all last year and most
of this year (although it did when checked by yard -- or at least they
said it did). Ironically, it worked the other night when it and the
stern lights were the only lights to work.

The question then is where is the problem? If you're having trouble with
all your lights, what else is acting up on the 12v circuits? If it's only
the lights and they're more than few years old then it could be as simple as
corrosion in the light assemblies. Replace them with ones that use new LED
elements. You could, if they're not too corroded, replace just the bulbs.
But you'd really have to find out WHY the lights have been flaking FIRST.
If it's worse than just corroded contacts in the lamp assemblies, like going
into the copper wire, then you've got more work ahead.

I have no anchor lite but I do have a panel switch for it.

IIRC, that same light up on the mast serves double-duty. Forward when
underway and 360 when at anchor.

So, I think safety and courtesy require me to find a permanent nav light
solution.

Yes, for everyone's sake. If you're lights are working then you're asking
for trouble at night.

I'd start by pulling apart one of the lamp assemblies and finding out what's
wrong with it. If you can get it working then wiggle the wire leading into
it and see if that causes the light to flicker. That and look closely at
the wire for signs of corrosion. Assuming that the lamp fixture is "past
it's prime" then I'd take it to a local chandlery and see what they've got
by way of replacements close to it's size. Paying particular attention to
the mounting holes. You don't want to go drilling new holes if it can be
avoided.

When looking for light replacements (just the bulbs) I've heard it's
sometimes a good deal cheaper to go to an auto parts store. They've got LED
bulbs to fit a variety of sizes. Take your existing bulb and see if they
can match it up.

-Bill Kearney

In article ,
"Bill Kearney" wrote:

On a previous time, stepping on the light
got it to turn on. Not last night.

If you're stepping or banging on something as important as navigation lights
was already a sign you needed to be replacing them!

I agree. The question is with what.

Yes, the steaming light on the mast did not work all last year and most
of this year (although it did when checked by yard -- or at least they
said it did). Ironically, it worked the other night when it and the
stern lights were the only lights to work.

The question then is where is the problem? If you're having trouble with
all your lights, what else is acting up on the 12v circuits?

Nothing.

If it's only
the lights and they're more than few years old then it could be as simple as
corrosion in the light assemblies.

The boat is less than two years old and is a freshwater boat.

Replace them with ones that use new LED
elements.

Any specific recommendations Bill?

You could, if they're not too corroded, replace just the bulbs.
But you'd really have to find out WHY the lights have been flaking FIRST.
If it's worse than just corroded contacts in the lamp assemblies, like going
into the copper wire, then you've got more work ahead.

I have no anchor lite but I do have a panel switch for it.

IIRC, that same light up on the mast serves double-duty. Forward when
underway and 360 when at anchor.

My steaming light is a front only light only. Is there a battery
operated LED I can hoist up at anchor?

So, I think safety and courtesy require me to find a permanent nav light
solution.

Yes, for everyone's sake. If you're lights are working then you're asking
for trouble at night.

I'd start by pulling apart one of the lamp assemblies and finding out what's
wrong with it. If you can get it working then wiggle the wire leading into
it and see if that causes the light to flicker. That and look closely at
the wire for signs of corrosion. Assuming that the lamp fixture is "past
it's prime" then I'd take it to a local chandlery and see what they've got
by way of replacements close to it's size. Paying particular attention to
the mounting holes. You don't want to go drilling new holes if it can be
avoided.

When looking for light replacements (just the bulbs) I've heard it's
sometimes a good deal cheaper to go to an auto parts store. They've got LED
bulbs to fit a variety of sizes. Take your existing bulb and see if they
can match it up.

Great idea Bill?


-Bill Kearney

--
To respond, obviously drop the "nospan"?

Replace them with ones that use new LED
elements.

Any specific recommendations Bill?

None exactly. Take the bulbs to a local marine store and see what they've
got. If anything, use that as a cross-reference to what the bulbs are known
as from other vendors. You may be able to do a search online for your
bulb's part number and wander through the links to find the same info.
Then, armed with alternative part numbers and vendors, check for replacement
bulbs from other sources, auto parts suppliers being one choice.

My steaming light is a front only light only. Is there a battery
operated LED I can hoist up at anchor?

And the boat came without a 360 anchor light? Seems odd. Are you sure it's
just the forward light? As in, it's just a single forward-facing lens
assembly? Not a 360 unit that's got a problem with the rear bulb? But then
I'm no sailboat expert (by any stretch) so perhaps others with more specific
understanding might chime in.

What make/model is the vessel?

In article ,
"Bill Kearney" wrote:

Replace them with ones that use new LED
elements.

Any specific recommendations Bill?

None exactly. Take the bulbs to a local marine store and see what they've
got. If anything, use that as a cross-reference to what the bulbs are known
as from other vendors. You may be able to do a search online for your
bulb's part number and wander through the links to find the same info.
Then, armed with alternative part numbers and vendors, check for replacement
bulbs from other sources, auto parts suppliers being one choice.

My steaming light is a front only light only. Is there a battery
operated LED I can hoist up at anchor?

And the boat came without a 360 anchor light? Seems odd.

Agreed. There is even a panel switch. Just no light.

Are you sure it's
just the forward light?

Yes.

As in, it's just a single forward-facing lens
assembly? Not a 360 unit that's got a problem with the rear bulb? But then
I'm no sailboat expert (by any stretch) so perhaps others with more specific
understanding might chime in.

What make/model is the vessel?

J/100. J-Boats.

harlan

--
To respond, obviously drop the "nospan"?

Lets pretend for a moment that you are in the vicinity of 1030S and 130W
after being in a raft for four days. It's zero dark thirty in the morning
and while bailing water from your liferaft, you turn forward and look up and
see two red lights, in what appear to be in a horizontal formation. What
would you think and if you could think what would you do? Story follows, if
you wish.