Our anchor light is not working so we plan to change the bulb. Does anyone know what bulb we’ll need? I’d rather ascend with the right bulb than make any more trips than necessary. I appreciate the help.
Bill Randall
Helen K
NS 30U #380
Miami, Fl
Bill,
Unfortunately you would need to know exactly what masthead light you have. For an anchor light, I’d recommend converting to an LED bulb. DoctorLED.com sells a lot of compatible bulbs to convert from incandescent. Aquasignal was the manufacturer of a lot of our boats, but that doesn’t mean that’s what you have. While you’re up there, take a look at the housing and lens. They degrade over time and it might be worth the while to replace it too if they are original. They become brittle and disentegrate.
Bill,
My 1987 NS30U has a Aqua Signal SW40 masthead light with a LED replacement bulb. Aqua Signal is no longer in business, that I am aware of, but info is available online. I will try to attach three photos to this post, two are my masthead light where you can see the LED bulb with a serial number, and Aqua Signal part number on top of light, I took these photos 3 years ago. The other is from a friend’s recently purchased NS30U before his mast was installed.
Hope this helps.
Hi Bill, FYI, I just responded to your enquiry with info and photos that you may find helpful on the Discourse Nonsuch discussion group website. Please check there.
Cheers
Don
Hi Bill,
Soave has a Signal Mate masthead light. ( HERE ) is a photo. I think the whole light need to replaced as a single unit.
I doubt it is original, but it makes sense to move to LED lights when opportunity presents itself.
Rob
s/v SOAVE
NS33 #009
Cedar Point YC
Westport, CT
Aqua Signal 25 are the main type for mast mounted lights. Check your steaming light or stern light , it should be the same size Generally these are festoon type bulbs. nd you need an all round one for the anchor.
1.75 inches long and 10 watts or the equivalent for the 25 model . This fellow sell good quality LED bulbs. The cheap ones are 12 v and will burn out when exposed to the 14 v we occasionally have. Most of his are 10 to 20 V range,.
If you want to change the unit entirely I have been using this twilight/anchor light for nearly 20 years
Be careful climbing the mast, you’re a braver fellow than I !!
1 Like
I had to replace my similar Aqua Signal light this year because the lens broke and I couldn’t find a replacement. I have an LED bulb for that light that I am willing to gift, for shipping cost only, to the first person who responds that they want it. With the recent expiry of the de minimus exemption on trade between the US and Canada, I am not sure it would be worthwhile to ship to Canada but I will if requested.
Bill,
The original bulbs for all our boats are listed somewhere in the original owner’s manual, which you can download from the INA website if you don’t already have one.
The Nonsuch 30U manual lists bulbs on page 65.1 (which for some reason is the 51st page in the online PDF version). It says the anchor light originally was a “RZP-10-12 Double Contact Indexed Bayonette”.
I did a quick search on-line and couldn’t figure out what that corresponds to today. If you go looking for a replacement, keep in mind that all of those words matter. I’m guessing that RZP is the manufacturer, that 10 refers to the base diameter in mm, that 12 is the voltage, and the rest describes the shape of the base for a bulb similar to Don Crossley’s (Breezin Don) picture. I hope I’m wrong about the 10 being 10 mm, because most bulbs now sold seem to be 15 mm.
If you go for a replacement, you may find it easier as suggested to replace the whole fixture. Alternatively, see if you can buy several different possibilities from somewhere that accepts returns, and try several bulbs to see what fits.
–Bob