"terry" wrote:

I was trying not to get into a discussion about the mast lights
themselves.

There really is no discussion.

You have AquaSignal and those that when they grow up want to be AquaSignal.

They meet the COLREGS.

Typical German products, they do it right.

Consider an alternate lamp for tri-color ONLY if approved to meet COLREGS,
otherwise forget it.

As far as an anchor light is concerned, don't like top of mast location.

Much prefer having anchor light hang about 10 ft above deck using forestay
and jib halyard.


Take it down and store it at daylight.

At least when the drunks come back from a night on the town, they have a
better chance of seeing a light at lower level.

Since you are adding switches, use 3PDT for "sailing" and "steaming".

Cross interlock such that: (+)---(NCsteaming)---(NOsailing)---(Tri-Color
Lamp)---(-).

Cross interlock such that: (+)---(NCsailing)---(NOsteaming)---(Steaming
Lamps)---(-).

3rd circuit has NOsailing in parallel with NOsteaming to power
instrument back lights.

The above insures that only one set of lamps can be on at one time.

Settles any legal issues before they can develop.

As far as mast wiring, hang a 7 ( #14 AWG) conductor bunch lashed to a 1/16"
S/S messenger cable inside mast.

This will prevent cable stretch, and provide spares if req'd in the future.

RG58 is for the CB radio crowd, you want the big stuff, agained lashed to a
1/16" S/S cable to prevent cable stretch and resultant change in impedance
which would then require retuning antenna.

BTW, Carling will have switches needed.

Have fun.

Lew