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 Catalina 250 Specific Forum
 Short in Running Lights		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts
Initially Posted - 05/21/2007 :  17:48:39  Show Profile
I turned on the running lights ,and the fuse popped ?

I disconnected the mast connection at the deck and still popped the fuse .
in the mast connection there was sitting water ,could that be the short ?
I will try compressed electrode cleaner to blow the water out .

the only thing left is the bow and stern lights , all these wires were put in when the boat was built .
so its tough to trace the wires .

Ill probably use those portable flashlight running lights temporally till its fixed .
Edited by - SEAN on 05/21/2007 17:49:38

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts
Response Posted - 05/21/2007 :  19:59:03  Show Profile
You are correct, the water in the plug can cause a short and lucky you it popped the breaker rather than just heat the wires and start a fire. Dry it out good, clean both the male and female with some emmery cloth and plug it back in. It should work fine. Trouble shooting the wires should not be a problem. Just remove the starboard cabin light under the plug and you will be able to get at the wires.
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britinusa
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5404 Posts
Response Posted - 05/21/2007 :  19:59:43  Show Profile  Visit britinusa's Homepage
You could drown it in WD40, it should disperse the water.

We used to use it in the Navy by the gallon for just that purpose.

paul
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SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts
Response Posted - 05/21/2007 :  20:32:19  Show Profile
O - Thanks ! ,

There is something wrong with the cap its worn and letting water by .
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SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts
Response Posted - 05/23/2007 :  07:58:51  Show Profile
No Luck , running lights are still shorting .
its not the mast connection cause i can turn the deck light on ,and the anchor light .
But when you turn the runnig lights on the fuse pops .

Does any body know if a light comes on on the mast when the running lights are on ?
If not there should be just the bow or stern light ,that has the short .

the stern light looks easy to rewire its the bow light , the wireing is in the bow rail .
It looks like I will have to make a access hole , to get at the wires .

thanks for the help !
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britinusa
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Response Posted - 05/23/2007 :  08:06:34  Show Profile  Visit britinusa's Homepage
I would guess the most likely place for a short would be in the bow light where the wires exit the pulpit (wire insulation damage due to rough edge on pulpit exit hole)

If so, you may be able to reinsulate them with some heat shrink.

Remove the bow light fitting, run a piece of heat shrink tube over each line such that it extends into the pulpit tubing, reconnect light, try it out.

Paul
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frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts
Response Posted - 05/23/2007 :  08:17:20  Show Profile
The running light switch should only control the bow and stern lights.
Here is what I found by accident one day while washing the boat. As I wash the front pulpit I knocked the lens off the bow light and it went to Davy. I could not find a Hella light so I install a new Aqua Signal. In doing this I found the wires going through the pulpit had cuts in them. I could not tell what cause them exactly, but they appeared to be from poor installation. I never had a problem with the light, but I taped the cuts anyway. You might remove your bow light and see if they are cut. If so, an a bare wire is touching the pulpit this would also cause a short and pop the breaker. Oh yeah, Davy did return my lens. I did foot retrieval.
Edited by - frog0911 on 05/23/2007 08:18:56
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SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts
Response Posted - 05/23/2007 :  22:55:28  Show Profile
thanks guys ,

I will check the bow light wires.
I was pulling on the stern lens today trying to figure how it comes off .
and how to mount led flash light ,running lights ,they are pretty neat .
Still learning a new camera so no pics
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SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts
Response Posted - 05/28/2007 :  18:22:32  Show Profile
thanks for everybodys help ,

but still no lights .I took the bow light off but there were no cuts . the metal was rough around the edge . But Ill save that for another day .

If I have to rewire maybe I can grab the wires from the starbord side hull and top fitting I can feel wires in there with my finger .
Im looking for a yellow and red .

the stern light has easy access .

This sounds like a winter project !
I hope the flash lights hold out .
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SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts
Response Posted - 05/30/2007 :  08:00:42  Show Profile
I was on the boat last night and rememberd ,
the compass light comes on when the running lights are turned on .
Ill have to check those wires in the pedastall .
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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts
Response Posted - 05/30/2007 :  20:03:27  Show Profile  Visit Oscar's Homepage
Very carefully check the fixtures themselves....make sure the short isn't along the bulb....

If that doesn't work:

Get yourself a cheap multi meter......you can use it to check for continuity....(short). Disconnect wires at both ends, then use the meter to see if they meet somewhere in a dark alley.....this will help you isolate the problem, then you can snake new wires.
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.