One trip, lost sump, and mast lights

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9 years 7 months ago #5245 by Dkemens
One trip, lost sump, and mast lights was created by Dkemens
Hi all!

Brand new to this place, island packets... and really, sailing and sailboats.

A week ago, my bow light, anchor light, and auto sump pump worked just fine. We went out sailing last week (mostly for fun, but also a great learning exprience) - winds were weak, but we hit a number of wakes that really shook us.

The next night, I discovered our bow light and anchor light no longer worked. Realizing that the mast is the one part of the boat I haven't yet figured out how to access, and that we wouldn't likely need those lights until next season, I wasn't too concerned. Then, tonight, I realized our auto sump wasn't working (works fine if I hold to manual)... this is a much larger problem.

Tomorrow morning, I intend to break out the multimeter and go hunting for lost juice... but I was hoping somebody had the experience to point me in the right direction for all three components going out at the same time. It's spooky to think that the three would be wired together... but I am working with 30 year old concepts and who knows how many amateur hacks.

Thanks all!

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9 years 7 months ago #5249 by hayden
Replied by hayden on topic One trip, lost sump, and mast lights
Damien:

It sounds like you might have a fuse that blew in one of these lines. I do not think they would all be wired together, but you never know. For the sump pump, it could be the float switch that needs to be cleaned or there could be something holding it down. Look at the float switch in the bilge and try to pull the lever arm of the float up and see if you can turn on the pump like this. If you get the lever arm vertical and the pump does not come on, then maybe the float switch is bad.

Your bow light and your anchor light could be on the same switch but that is unusual. The anchor light is usually on its own switch and then the bow light and the stern light are on their own switch. With these, I would start at the switch and see if you have power there. If you do, then maybe the light bulb just burned out. That can happen. The bow light is easy to take apart, just be careful not to drop items in the water. Maybe work from the dinghy on this one. See if the bulb is burned out.

I will be interested in hearing what you find out.

Welcome to the fleet, you will really enjoy owning your Island Packet.

Hayden

Hayden Cochran
IP35-165 Island Spirit
IslandSpirit35.blogspot.com
Rock Hall, MD

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9 years 7 months ago #5262 by Dkemens
Replied by Dkemens on topic One trip, lost sump, and mast lights
Thanks, Hayden.

I managed to fix the float switch. When I unbolted it and lifted it up, I banged it on the side of the hull and it started working - so the float must have been gunked up. She's purring now!

As for the lights - I haven't had the time to look yet (was busy with the bilge and the fresh water tank) - but my neighbor suggested I take a look for a connection that connects at the bottom of the mast. He said occasionally there is a quick connection there in case you need to take the mast up/down when hulling out. Maybe that 30 year old plug fell apart. I did open the electrical panel and everything looked good there. So - no solution yet, but I'll update this thread with the solution in case anybody else runs in to the problem.

Thanks!!

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