Switch panel

[houla7033]

I am wanting to add interior led lights to the inside of my boat so I can see to tie knots when night fishing. I have a center console and it has a switch bank of about 8 rocker type switches. It appears the switches are on a " bank ". My question is does power from the battery go to the bank and supply power to each swith or does power go to each switch individually. And how would I go about wiring lights to one of the switches. Thanks

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Switch panel

No one can be sure without pics and/or diagram and/or a part number to look up, but...

If the panel has individual fuses/breakers for each switch then probably there is a single power hookup and power is then distributed to each switch. If the switchpanel does not have individual fuses/breakers, then probably each switch must get powered invidivually (like from a separate fusepanel).

 

[sw33ttooth]

Re: Switch panel

yah, pics be nice i've seen both ways fuse near switch or fuses on a bank.

 

[houla7033]

Re: Switch panel

I know, im sorry Ill take pics tomorrow I was at work when i posted

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Switch panel

Here are two examples of how to wire lights (or any other device).

 

[houla7033]

Re: Switch panel

Wow thanks ! That makes it easy for me.

 

[Fed up]

Re: Switch panel

I have recently started to add LEDs to my boat also, what I did was tie into the mooring light circuit and run a jumper from that to a separate switch then to a distribution block so I can connect the LEDs to that as I wish. I choose the mooring light because if it is dark you will have at the most the mooring light on, and then you have the ability to separate the LEDs from that light source.

Now if your wiring has been jacked with by a previous owner you might be in for a total rewire. Not trying to scare you but my wiring was a nightmare, so now most is new and neat. Marine grade heat shrink, solder, flux, and zip ties will be your best friend.