Help wiring nav lights correctly

[10000lakes]

I have a switch that you pull out to turn on lights. It has 3 screws for red white green. I need to make sure the wires go the right place. Red to busbar? white? green? The previous owner must have done it wrong because the white is charred and cut back. The stern light pole is missing too. When I get that, what's the proper way to add it? thank you

 

[Bondo]

Re: Help wiring nav lights correctly

I have a switch that you pull out to turn on lights. It has 3 screws for red white green. I need to make sure the wires go the right place. Red to busbar? white? green? The previous owner must have done it wrong because the white is charred and cut back. The stern light pole is missing too. When I get that, what's the proper way to add it? thank youView attachment 155017

Ayuh,... 1 post is power in,...
1 post is powered on the 1st click, which goes to the stern light,....
The other post is powered with the 2nd post on the 2nd click to power both the bow, 'n stern lights...
Light grounds are run parallel by themselves...

 

[10000lakes]

Re: Help wiring nav lights correctly

Thanks. So the ground does not go to the busbar?

 

[EricJRW]

Re: Help wiring nav lights correctly

This switch would require a diode for an all around only light, would it not?

Link coming shortly.

Take a look at this: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=553940

BTW, this information is "stickied" at the top of the forum.

 

[10000lakes]

Re: Help wiring nav lights correctly

Any guess as to why the last hack put both a red and white wire to the fuse block?

 

[Don S]

Re: Help wiring nav lights correctly

Any guess as to why the last hack put both a red and white wire to the fuse block?

Because he had no clue what he was doing.

Until you know where each of the 3 wires go, you can't wire the switch.
Then you need to know how the switch works. It looks like a off, on 1, on 2, but you need to use a continuity tester to determine which is for power in, and when the other terminals come on, first click, second click or both for each position.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Help wiring nav lights correctly

Any guess as to why the last hack put both a red and white wire to the fuse block?

None.

Regarding the need for a diode, some of these switches are internally "wired" so as not to need one. First detent illuminates just the stern light, second detent illuminates stern and bow lights. Or vice versa.

 

[10000lakes]

Re: Help wiring nav lights correctly

Because he had no clue what he was doing.

Until you know where each of the 3 wires go, you can't wire the switch.
.

Exactly on both counts! Thank you

 

[10000lakes]

Re: Help wiring nav lights correctly

Thank you for the info, it's starting to make sense.

 

[EricJRW]

Re: Help wiring nav lights correctly

I forgot about the off, on 1, on 2, type switch. Going to make sure that gets stickied in my brain.