Bow & Stern Lights?

[LindsRose81]

Hi All!

Just bought my first boat and also new to this site! It's a 1968 Chrysler and everything on it is new and working well except for the lights, which are not connected.

Both the Bow and Stern lights have 2 wires coming from them. How do I connect these to the battery and then get them connected to a switch???

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Bow & Stern Lights?

Like this:

Or like this:

Which diagram you use depends on which type of switch you use. +12V in either diagram comes from the fuse panel. The bow and stern lights each have a ground wire. Those two wires connect together and are grounded at the ground buss on the fuse panel.

 

[klicknative]

Re: Bow & Stern Lights?

The best way (IMHO) to set it up is get a 2 position switch so the first click turns on the all around (stern) light and the 2nd turns on both. I used push/pull switches on my old Fiberform because they looked good on the old boat. You'll need to find an open spot on the fuse panel to get power to the switch. You MUST have a fuse ahead of the switch. a 10 amp should do it. One wire from each light will go to the switch and the other 2 will go to ground. There should be a ground buss on your fuse panel. Lots of info on this forum, scroll down and and youll find diagrams, info on wire sizes ect.

 

[LindsRose81]

Re: Bow & Stern Lights?

Thanks! The diagrams are esspecially helpful. I think the biggest problem is that there isn't a fuse panel anywhere that I can find..... any suggestions???

 

[HammerDown6]

Re: Bow & Stern Lights?

If after searching, you truly do not have a fuse panel, you can get basic ones at any Radio shack or auto parts store. Radio shack also carries what they call 'project boxes', little plastic boxes with screw on lids that you can mount electricals in. Some of them even have a rubber seal around the lid.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Bow & Stern Lights?

use this type in-line fuse. http://www.iboats.com/Waterproof_At...63787133--list_time.1184723142--view_id.56341

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: Bow & Stern Lights?

Get something like this , cause you will be adding other stuff..stereo, ff, etc,...