Wiring Bow Light on 73 Nauset Why Two Wire Sets Through Gunwale

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Author Topic:   Wiring Bow Light on 73 Nauset Why Two Wire Sets Through Gunwale

milehiwhaler posted 05-16-2007 10:54 AM ET (US)
I am installing a new rub rail on the boat and will also complete new wiring to the refurbished bow light. From the wiring block I have two wires which pass through the gunwale and transition into the rub rail for the run down to the bow light. I believe that these wires are both original. Both wires bundles are gray one looks similar to household lamp wiring (with two wires and a v notch running down the middle) and is labeled "Executone" The other wire is a round bundle and almost looks like today's cat 5 computer cable on the outside but only has two copper wires inside. I believe that I should only run one wire down the length of rubrail to the bow light (connecting one wire to the light fixture and the other wire soldered to the base of the lamp socket.)
What am I missing with the second wire is it redundant like in the old whalers that had wire molded in the hull? I don't see how it connects in to the base of the lamp even if you were trying to attempt to return the circuit (back to power the transom light).
I will post a link with pictures this evening but wanted to get the ball rolling.
Any help would be appreciated.
Any
17 bodega posted 05-16-2007 11:03 AM ET (US)
Mine is an old blue (1971) hull and it had two wires run up through the foam under the rubrail. They were simple small 16 or 18 guage wires with shielding. I ran two more tinned copper wires up the rubrail using a popsickle stick so I didn't have to unscrew the rubrail. It worked out great.
I'm not sure but I think the two wires are used to function on the original three position switch that runs the stern light and the bow/navigation light. Do you need the second wire to operate the three position switch? Chuck and Jimh knows this answer. Let's see if they respond.
milehiwhaler posted 05-17-2007 12:37 AM ET (US)
Here are the pictures of the existing wiring for the boat.
Please cut and paste.
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/kerrjoel/album/576460762401792137
I look forward to any advice that can be provided.
17 bodega posted 05-17-2007 01:09 AM ET (US)
you need to make the album "shared"
milehiwhaler posted 05-17-2007 10:26 AM ET (US)
OK. Now I have the album shared.
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/kerrjoel/album/576460762401792137
Thanks
Tom Hemphill posted 05-17-2007 10:42 AM ET (US)
I have a suspicion that the wire marked "Executone" was what someone had lying around, and snaked under the rubrail when the original (buried in foam) failed. I would replace it with high quality two-conductor marine wire at this time.
milehiwhaler posted 05-17-2007 11:27 AM ET (US)
To clarify. This boat had the wiring run under the rub rail rather than in the foam. BW started using the two piece rub rail around 72-73 and this became the new route to get to the the bow light. I appreciate your advice on the marine wire and will purhase for the install.

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Author	Topic: Wiring Bow Light on 73 Nauset Why Two Wire Sets Through Gunwale
milehiwhaler	posted 05-16-2007 10:54 AM ET (US) I am installing a new rub rail on the boat and will also complete new wiring to the refurbished bow light. From the wiring block I have two wires which pass through the gunwale and transition into the rub rail for the run down to the bow light. I believe that these wires are both original. Both wires bundles are gray one looks similar to household lamp wiring (with two wires and a v notch running down the middle) and is labeled "Executone" The other wire is a round bundle and almost looks like today's cat 5 computer cable on the outside but only has two copper wires inside. I believe that I should only run one wire down the length of rubrail to the bow light (connecting one wire to the light fixture and the other wire soldered to the base of the lamp socket.) What am I missing with the second wire is it redundant like in the old whalers that had wire molded in the hull? I don't see how it connects in to the base of the lamp even if you were trying to attempt to return the circuit (back to power the transom light). I will post a link with pictures this evening but wanted to get the ball rolling. Any help would be appreciated. Any
17 bodega	posted 05-16-2007 11:03 AM ET (US) Mine is an old blue (1971) hull and it had two wires run up through the foam under the rubrail. They were simple small 16 or 18 guage wires with shielding. I ran two more tinned copper wires up the rubrail using a popsickle stick so I didn't have to unscrew the rubrail. It worked out great. I'm not sure but I think the two wires are used to function on the original three position switch that runs the stern light and the bow/navigation light. Do you need the second wire to operate the three position switch? Chuck and Jimh knows this answer. Let's see if they respond.
milehiwhaler	posted 05-17-2007 12:37 AM ET (US) Here are the pictures of the existing wiring for the boat. Please cut and paste. http://new.photos.yahoo.com/kerrjoel/album/576460762401792137 I look forward to any advice that can be provided.
17 bodega	posted 05-17-2007 01:09 AM ET (US) you need to make the album "shared"
milehiwhaler	posted 05-17-2007 10:26 AM ET (US) OK. Now I have the album shared. http://new.photos.yahoo.com/kerrjoel/album/576460762401792137 Thanks
Tom Hemphill	posted 05-17-2007 10:42 AM ET (US) I have a suspicion that the wire marked "Executone" was what someone had lying around, and snaked under the rubrail when the original (buried in foam) failed. I would replace it with high quality two-conductor marine wire at this time.
milehiwhaler	posted 05-17-2007 11:27 AM ET (US) To clarify. This boat had the wiring run under the rub rail rather than in the foam. BW started using the two piece rub rail around 72-73 and this became the new route to get to the the bow light. I appreciate your advice on the marine wire and will purhase for the install.