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The following page was printed from RemoteCentral.com:
Topic: | Boat running lights This thread has 25 replies. Displaying posts 1 through 15. |
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Post 1 made on Saturday August 18, 2018 at 08:32 |
24/7 Senior Member |
Joined: Posts: | April 2008 1,244 |
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I purchased a boat that appears to have the running lights wired improperly.The switch center position-all off, up position-is bow lights only and oddly the removable rear light is in the switch's down position while turning bow lights off. Clearly it is either incorrectly wired, or the switch has stopped working properly. Original owner no longer living - may have done wiring himself.
Can a bad switch cause this? This is south Florida so humidity may be a factor. Suggestions on how to diagnose the wiring. Would you cut the wires at the switch and tone them for identification like audio wires, or is there a better procedure with power accessory wires?
Thanks. Alan
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Post 2 made on Saturday August 18, 2018 at 08:59 |
Don Heany Senior Member |
Joined: Posts: | September 2008 1,178 |
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Should be traceable by color alone, and toggle switch replacement with a two position on/off doable. Not sure why bow/transom wouldn’t be on at same time anyway unless transom light is to be used while parked as a general light. Congrats on the purchase, hopefully this is the only issue you’ll have with the “hole in the water you throw money into”.
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Post 3 made on Saturday August 18, 2018 at 09:01 |
Don Heany Senior Member |
Joined: Posts: | September 2008 1,178 |
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Also, a 12v test light- and a VOM to test by shorting to answer your question;)
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Post 4 made on Saturday August 18, 2018 at 09:31 |
tomciara Loyal Member |
Joined: Posts: | May 2002 7,958 |
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Don’t use a VOM with battery connected! DVM can recover, VOM not.
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There is no truth anymore. Only assertions. The internet world has no interest in truth, only vindication for preconceived assumptions. |
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Post 5 made on Saturday August 18, 2018 at 10:26 |
ILO Long Time Member |
Joined: Posts: | August 2006 416 |
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On August 18, 2018 at 08:32, 24/7 said...
The switch center position-all off, This is correct. up position-is bow lights only This position should light both bow and transom light for running and oddly the removable rear light is in the switch's down position while turning bow lights off. This is correct for anchoring. Clearly it is either incorrectly wired, or the switch has stopped working properly. I suspect the switch is the culprit....
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Post 6 made on Sunday August 19, 2018 at 05:48 |
thecapnredfish Senior Member |
Joined: Posts: | February 2008 1,397 |
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Quick diagram I found. [Link: goo.gl]I suspect missing/bad diode or misfired.
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Post 7 made on Sunday August 19, 2018 at 14:33 |
cma Super Member |
Joined: Posts: | August 2003 3,044 |
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On August 18, 2018 at 08:59, Don Heany said...
Should be traceable by color alone, and toggle switch replacement with a two position on/off doable. Not sure why bow/transom wouldn’t be on at same time anyway unless transom light is to be used while parked as a general light. Congrats on the purchase, hopefully this is the only issue you’ll have with the “hole in the water you throw money into”. This, you should have three positions, off/no lights, running lights, parking/at anchor light.
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Post 8 made on Tuesday August 21, 2018 at 11:41 |
highfigh Loyal Member |
Joined: Posts: | September 2004 8,311 |
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The switch should be wired so the nav light goes on in one position and the anchor light in the other.
What make/model of boat?
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My mechanic told me, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder." |
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Post 9 made on Tuesday August 21, 2018 at 11:47 |
highfigh Loyal Member |
Joined: Posts: | September 2004 8,311 |
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On August 19, 2018 at 14:33, cma said...
This, you should have three positions, off/no lights, running lights, parking/at anchor light. It also means ‘Break Out Another Thousand’.
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My mechanic told me, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder." |
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OP | Post 10 made on Tuesday August 21, 2018 at 18:21 |
24/7 Senior Member |
Joined: Posts: | April 2008 1,244 |
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On August 21, 2018 at 11:41, highfigh said...
The switch should be wired so the nav light goes on in one position and the anchor light in the other.
What make/model of boat? 1995ish Invader is the model. It's a 20' offshore fishing boat. Yam 4 stroke about 10 years old. Runs great, slight hesitation if run max for 5 mins or so. Could stand a tune up and oil change.
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OP | Post 11 made on Tuesday August 21, 2018 at 18:26 |
24/7 Senior Member |
Joined: Posts: | April 2008 1,244 |
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Thanks everyone for your insight. The boat has been offshore so the anchor light wiring was likely used at night.
I like having the 3-position switch so I will try to pull and replace. Hopefully that puts me back in business.
I'm an ex-minnesota guy so all this 'tide' and 'charts' navigating has been cool to learn. I'm on a pretty regulated canal out to the gulf so having the lights functioning correctly is a must. The sheriff has done the drill with me already on regulations.
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Post 12 made on Tuesday August 21, 2018 at 18:40 |
Ernie Gilman Yes, That Ernie! |
Joined: Posts: | December 2001 30,104 |
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Then what did he say the regs are re which lights should be on when?
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A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything. "The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw |
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OP | Post 13 made on Tuesday August 21, 2018 at 18:43 |
24/7 Senior Member |
Joined: Posts: | April 2008 1,244 |
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On August 21, 2018 at 18:40, Ernie Gilman said...
Then what did he say the regs are re which lights should be on when? He inspected the boat when it was daylight. I haven't ventured out at night yet but will give it a go when the lights are reliable.
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Post 14 made on Tuesday August 21, 2018 at 19:55 |
highfigh Loyal Member |
Joined: Posts: | September 2004 8,311 |
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The anchor light is never supposed to be on when the boat is under way and the nav lights are not supposed to be on when anchored, so the anchor light is usually the down position, middle is off and anchor light is the up position unless the switch is marked differently.
Check the Coast Guard site for the regs.
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My mechanic told me, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder." |
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Post 15 made on Tuesday August 21, 2018 at 22:38 |
3PedalMINI Loyal Member |
Joined: Posts: | July 2009 7,860 |
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There are only two of the happiest days a man has in his life!
The day he buys his boat, and the day he sells it!
I’m currently in the second boat, and I just have jet skis! Lol!
Yes, only anchor light on during anchoring and nav lights on when your underway!
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The Bitterness of Poor Quality is Remembered Long after the Sweetness of Price is Forgotten! - Benjamin Franklin |
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