Model Boat Mayhem

Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => The "Black Arts!" ( Electrics & Electronics ) => Topic started by: sinjon on May 07, 2007, 07:35:56 am

Title: Wiring lights on a hollw brass mast
Post by: sinjon on May 07, 2007, 07:35:56 am
 Electrical helper please

I have a hollow brass mast on which I am mounting three lights, I have managed to get all six wires in, but it's a very tight fit - too tight by the time I have soldered light to wire, and insulated the joint.
I seem to remember reading somewhere that you can solder one wire from each light to the mast, is that so?
Possibly obvious, but I am totally green on all things electric - help!

Colin
Title: Re: Wiring lights on a hollw brass mast
Post by: FullLeatherJacket on May 07, 2007, 08:26:04 am
Colin
You do need only one separate wire to each. Each bulb should be soldered via one of its terminals to the brass mast. The other terminal of each bulb has a thin wire connected to it which runs down the inside of the mast. These are your battery positive lines, while the mast itself acts as a common negative i.e. it has only one wire connected from its base to the battery negative. For the thin wires inside the mast, I use the cores from multi-core alarm wire - just strip off the white outer sheath and there are 4, 6 or 8 separate, colour-coded and insulated wires - just the ticket!
FLJ
Title: Re: Wiring lights on a hollw brass mast
Post by: sinjon on May 07, 2007, 08:53:11 am
Just the job, exactly what I wanted, I'll go and get started straight away.

Thanks FLJ

Colin

Title: Re: Wiring lights on a hollw brass mast
Post by: Telstar on May 07, 2007, 11:58:48 am
Hi Colin
Just a small point. when you connect your lights to the mast material remember to connect the other end of the brass tube ( or at least some part of it ) to the other side of the battery supply ie the negative in order to complete the circuit
cheers Tom
Title: Re: Wiring lights on a hollw brass mast
Post by: FullLeatherJacket on May 07, 2007, 02:12:58 pm
while the mast itself acts as a common negative i.e. it has only one wire connected from its base to the battery negative.

To be sure, to be sure??
 ;)
FJ
Title: Re: Wiring lights on a hollw brass mast
Post by: OMK on May 09, 2007, 11:18:01 pm
To be sure, to be sure??

Hmm... smart 'bottom'! But what if the poor chap only wants all three lights to come on at the same time? You've made him solder all them millions of connections, when, all along, he only had to solder just......


Alright, I know, I know!
Title: Re: Wiring lights on a hollw brass mast
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on May 16, 2007, 08:30:08 am
Of course if you wanted two circuits, and to be able to remove the mast for transportation.
A nice socket and plug set up works. 8)

Grounded mast socket and two hot wires at the plug.
(http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7827/p1010143copyjo1.th.jpg) (http://img255.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1010143copyjo1.jpg)

The socket and plug...
(http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/1108/p1010144copygm7.th.jpg) (http://img255.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1010144copygm7.jpg)

And another similar set up
(http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/9121/p1010103copyps0.th.jpg) (http://img515.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1010103copyps0.jpg)
Title: Re: Wiring lights on a hollw brass mast
Post by: tonyH on May 16, 2007, 10:20:22 am
Alternatively, you can incorporate a large jack plug into the mast - stereo for 2 live/1neutral or mono for 1/1. The contact is normally good and rigid enough for most masts. Just plug and go. You may need just to camouflage the base with a small collar.

Tony
Title: Re: Wiring lights on a hollw brass mast
Post by: funtimefrankie on June 10, 2007, 07:37:00 pm
Am I right in thinking that if you use the mast as part of the circuit for lights it shouldn't used as the aerial as well.
Title: Re: Wiring lights on a hollw brass mast
Post by: Telstar on June 11, 2007, 12:06:21 am
Not
Am I right in thinking that if you use the mast as part of the circuit for lights it shouldn't used as the aerial as well.
Not necessarily, you can use the same brass tube for the aerial, as long as you remember to use a small capacitor in the aerial circuit to decouple the DC ( battery) voltage from the Rx aerial input.  But remember to observe all the aerial length rules discussed (at nauseam ) on other threads on the forum

cheers Tom