Bad Switch or not

[mailman55]

I have a 02 Starcraft 190 that I bought used. When I was out the other day I filled my livewell and it seemed to work ok as I filled it with no problem. I noticed when I got ready to go in that the light on the rocker switch was lite up in the off position. The pump will run in the rec. mode but will not run in the fill mode, where as when I started out that day they both worked both ways. Also when it is in the off position with the light still on, after about three min. or so the circiut breaker will pop. I haven't taken the panel off yet to check the wiring as there is one screw that will be a hard one to get at but will start this A.M. I am thinking it's probaly a bad switch but any other ideas would help if possible. Thanks

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Bad Switch or not

I would agree...probably a bad switch, should not liight up when off and shouldn't be popping the breaker. I'm wondering if it might have a diode with it since it's a double throw switch which could be shorted?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Bad Switch or not

No reason for a diode on the switch and it is very likely not the switch but the wiring to it. Lighted switches must have the +12V feed connected to the "line" side of the switch -- not the the "load" side or you have exactly what is happening. I suspect the line (the +12V feed to the switch) is disconnected and touching the load side of the switch which activates the light, even in the off position.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Bad Switch or not

If the +12v feed was in fact touching the load side of the switch why is the load (pump) not running and why would that trip the breaker unless there is more to this problem?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Bad Switch or not

Touching does not mean there is a solid enough connection to run the pump. There is also a ground connection on the switch for the indicator. The load and ground terminals are generally directly in line (above and below each other). Very easy to touch both.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Bad Switch or not

it's all about the tools. get yourself an autoranging digital multimeter, doesn't have to be expensive to be handy. End the uncertainty; test the switch for continuity.

 

[mailman55]

Re: Bad Switch or not

A little heads up, I checked the switch with a digital meter and when I left it in the net. position (center post) I would get no reading, when I put the switch to either fill or rec. I would get .02 accross all of the posts (3) with the ground there are 4 total. Is that supposed to be normal? I would think so but I,m no rocket scientist when it comes to some of these things. One thing I thought of that I think might be the problem, and that was there are two pumps that go to the livewell. I checked the back one that is used to fill the tank and found that the motor is frozen up which would explain why the breaker would trip. All the wires check out for continuity so there doesn't seem to be any breaks in the wires. Right now I plan on replacing the cartridge in the back pump (Mayfair Marine Mod. 28552 500 GPH.) and see if that has been my problem all the time. Any questions or comments please feel free to jump in. Thanks

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Bad Switch or not

You still have an issue since the switch indicator should not be on when the switch is OFF. That should have no bearing on whether the pump motor was stalled. Not clear about how you checked the switch and what you mean by four ground wires total. The only ground on the switch should be the one for the indicator light. Ground leads for devices are normally connected at the ground bus on the fuse panel. Can you provide a little more detail on how you did the testing and clarify the ground wire connections.

 

[mailman55]

Re: Bad Switch or not

The rocker switch switch is a 4 pole switch made by Carling Mod. V6D1 20A 12V. I took the post where the black wire (grnd) was hooked put my blk. tester wire on it and took the red lead and checked each of the other 3 posts. When I checked the three posts it would show a .02 reading whenever I would move the switch to fill or recirculate but would show 0 if it was in the off or center position. Am I right in thinking that only one post should be showing a connection at a time instead of both? Thanks

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Bad Switch or not

Are you measuring with the meter set to volts or ohms? Are you measuring the switch with the wires still attached?

 

[mailman55]

Re: Bad Switch or not

I tested it with it set to ohms and the wires were all off of the switch.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Bad Switch or not

I would expect something like that on the 2 outside posts when you flipped the switch, you are measuring the resistance of the light inside then but I wouldn't expect 0 on the middle post (should be 12v lead) I would expect an infinite measurement as that should be an open circuit?

 

[jtexas]

Re: Bad Switch or not

wouldn't be much point in having two "on" positions if both pumps run on either.

because the light stays on when the switch is off, you would expect continuity in the off position, but if it's a working LED, you should have 1.4 to 3.x ohms.

 

[mailman55]

Re: Bad Switch or not

Well know I know finally. I just want to say thanks to all who tried to help me with different ideas and information on how to fix my problem. As I said before I had checked continuity on all the wires (OK), then I found that the back unit was burned out which would explain why the circiut breaker would trip (replaced) but light on the switch would still be on, then yesterday when I was moveing some gear in the bow of the boat I noticed the front switch panel which holds the trolling motor plug, trim switch and livewell switch, I took it loose to check for loose wires and found none but discovered that one of the two wires on the livewell switch was hot all the time and in the down position it would show power at the switch in the main console all the time. I put the switch in the off position and now everything workes as it did before and you can fill from the front or from the drivers seat. The only thing I'm going to do now is get a extra cartridge for the pumps as all four pumps use the same pump motor. Again thanks for your help!!