Need your electrical/wiring help please

[996scott]

Hoping someone can help with the wiring of this switch. This is to the anchor/bow lights. When the switch is pushed in on the bottom (no decal) it is in the off position. When in the middle (the anchor light decal) the anchor light is on and the dash lights are all on. When pushed up (the bow light decal) the bow lights AND the anchor lights are on. I believe that is how it is supposed to be anyway. I can't seem to get the wiring right though. I have 5 wires to connect; 1 is the power, 2 in the bow light wire, 3 is the ground, and 4 and 5 are both the anchor light (they are connected together). Anyone have an idea on this? Any help would be great. Thanks guys. Scott

 

[seabob4]

Re: Need your electrical/wiring help please

Rarely have I seen a switch (in fact NEVER) that had off at the bottom, stern in the middle, and nav/stern on top...

Do yourself a favor, get your meter out and see if you have continuity between the either middle terminal and either the top or bottom terminal with the switch in the "middle" position. Then push the switch up and check for continuity between the middle terminal and the terminal on the bottom side, then push the switch down and check for continuity between the middle terminal and the top terminal...

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Need your electrical/wiring help please

I agree -- since the two center terminals are tied together, that says that's the +12 volt input to the switch. This is a lighted switch so the ground terminal is ground for the internal light only and has nothing to do with the bow and stern lights. Except for the ground terminal, this is the way I feel the switch should be wired.

 

[996scott]

Re: Need your electrical/wiring help please

Thanks guys, I got it all figured out with your help. Scott

 

[JoLin]

Re: Need your electrical/wiring help please

Just one other point to consider. Having your instrument lights come on with the NAV lights is good. Motor's running then and you want to see what's happening.

Having them come on when only the ANCHOR light is on, not good. You don't need the instrument lights then, so it's an unnecessary drain on the battery