OFF-1ON-1&2ON rocker switch for nav lights???

timmytes

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 9, 2004
Messages
39
i need to find a rocker switch for my bow and stern lights that will allow just the stern light, or the bow and stern lights to be on. the switch that i have used before was a push-pull type switch, but i can't seem to find this type in a rocker switch. i have looked everywhere!!<br /><br />thanks<br /><br />tim
 

jmwj03

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 7, 2004
Messages
39
Re: OFF-1ON-1&2ON rocker switch for nav lights???

I used a rocker switch with 6 terminals. I believe it is a DPDT, but not positive. Your switch may be labeled differently, or the terminals in different locations, but hopefully this will help you. I don't know how this diagram will come out, but if you had<br /><br />1 2 3<br /><br />4 5 6<br /><br />as the contacts, this might make sense.<br /><br />Basically what I did was wire a hot into both center terminals (2 & 5). This was my input signal. I came into one, then made a small jumper to go to the other.<br /><br />Then, on switchleg one (1st switched item), I wired my anchor light (pin 1). Then I made a jumper from here to the opposite side, of the opposite switch leg (pin 1 to pin 6). What this does is ensure that my anchor light is on in either posistion the switch is in. <br /><br />Then I wired my nav lights into pin 6 as well. You could do them into pin 3...either will work. The switch is on-off-on, and wiring in this fashion will get you what you need. There are probably a million switches, so yours may be different, but this does work. BTW, this was a Carlingswitch water proof switch I had.<br /><br />Good luck!
 

Boatin Bob

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Sep 24, 2001
Messages
1,858
Re: OFF-1ON-1&2ON rocker switch for nav lights???

Jay...great description of the DPDT switch and it will work in this situation, only problem is that you say to wire the nav lights to pin 6 along with the anchor light, since you have a jumper to pin 1 this means that the nav lights would be on any time the anchor light is on. If you put the nav lights on pin 3 you would be fine. This will work with any DPDT switch that has the on-off-on positons, rocker or toggle. Cole Herse also makes a big selection of marine switches and are usually carried by most of the marine supply houses.
 

jmwj03

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 7, 2004
Messages
39
Re: OFF-1ON-1&2ON rocker switch for nav lights???

Yep, you're right Bob...must have had a brain you know what. It is indeed on pin 3.
 
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