I hope someone here can help me with these nav lights

[greenmtnboat]

I have a Perko combo pole in bow and Perko all round in stern. Went to West Marine and bought a Cole Hersee On-Off-On toggle per 18-year old WM employee recommendation. I bought the lighted tip M-54111-02, shown here; http://www.colehersee.com/home/lighted_tip_toggle_switches/

Anyway, per WM dude, and trying to decipher the ****-poor directions on the package here is what I did;

Took positive wire from bow light to #1, and negative from bow light to - battery terminal.
Todd positive wire from stern light and split it with one going to #1 and the other going to #3.
Took negative from stern and went to - battery terminal.
Took wires from #2 and #4 and went to + battery terminal.
Took wire from #6 and went to - battery terminal.

Center position of switch, light on switch is white, all nav lights off.
Whether I go up or down with toggle, both bow and stern lights come on.

What am I doing?

If my boat wasnt' aluminum I'd burn it to the ground right about now.

MAN am I frustrated!

Thanks for letting me vent, at least, and any help anyone wants to offer would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jhebert]

Re: I hope someone here can help me with these [non-working] nav lights

Re: I hope someone here can help me with these [non-working] nav lights

You need a double pole switch to control the two lamps the way you want for use as navigation lamps. You bought a single pole switch. It cannot do what you want. Return switch and get one that will.

 

[greenmtnboat]

Re: I hope someone here can help me with these ****ing nav lights

Re: I hope someone here can help me with these ****ing nav lights

jhebert, you may be my new best friend! Have you seen Cable Guy?

Thanks for your response, going nuts here. How do I know a single pole from a double pole?

Thanks again!

Edited to add:

While I'm at it, what is best procedure re: fuses? Before or after switch, or both? I'm hoping to get away with simple inline blade fuses.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: I hope someone here can help me with these ****ing nav lights

Re: I hope someone here can help me with these ****ing nav lights

Tell them you want a 3 position switch (NAV/OFF/ANCH).

Here's how you wire it:

 

[greenmtnboat]

Re: I hope someone here can help me with these ****ing nav lights

Re: I hope someone here can help me with these ****ing nav lights

Tell them you want a 3 position switch (NAV/OFF/ANCH).

Here's how you wire it:

View attachment 103249

Awesome!

Thanks, I'm glad to see that, perhaps, at least in this instance, it's not me!
I'll get a three position/double pole tomorrow and hopefully my troubles will be behind me.
I really appreciate your help guys, thanks. Can I get you a beer? Glass of wine? G and T?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: I hope someone here can help me with these ****ing nav lights

Re: I hope someone here can help me with these ****ing nav lights

There is a very inexpensive fix using the switch you already have. It does involve a trip to Radio Shack for a 75 cent diode. You then wire the switch you have as shown in the diagram below.

Or you use a DPDT switch and wire it like below.

 

[jhebert]

Re: I hope someone here can help me with these [non-working] nav lights

Re: I hope someone here can help me with these [non-working] nav lights

THe problem with the use of a steering diode as shown by SILVERTIP (above) is the white all-round lamp will burn at reduced intensity when its current is supplied through the diode. There will be about a one-volt drop across the diode. This will reduce the voltage to the lamp, and the lamp will burn at reduced intensity. Because of this I do not recommend you use the steering diode technique that SILVERTIP has shown.

 

[greenmtnboat]

Re: I hope someone here can help me with these [non-working] nav lights

Re: I hope someone here can help me with these [non-working] nav lights

Thanks again for your replies. I'm going to get a cheap DPDT toggle from the Shack. I hadn't thought about the lighted tip being on all the time and draining my battery, won't make that mistake either.

Another question for you regarding fuses for this deal;

Is it best to use a fuse between battery and switch, fuses between switch and each light, or all three?

Also, what amp should I go with on fuse(s)?

Thanks again!

 

[ayaresr]

Re: I hope someone here can help me with these [non-working] nav lights

Re: I hope someone here can help me with these [non-working] nav lights

You'll want to fuse between the battery and the switch, in the positive (+) lead. Typically within 6" of the battery, give or take depending on how you are able to mount the fuse holder you decide to go with. Reason being, the main purpose of the fuse is to protect against a short, so you'll want as much of the wiring on the fused side (outbound side of the fuse if you will) as possible.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: I hope someone here can help me with these [non-working] nav lights

Re: I hope someone here can help me with these [non-working] nav lights

Also, what amp should I go with on fuse(s)?

A 5 amp fuse should be more than sufficient. Go with the ATO (flat bladed fuses) vs the glass style. They resist the vibrations that a boat sees & that autos don't.

 

[greenmtnboat]

Re: I hope someone here can help me with these [non-working] nav lights

Re: I hope someone here can help me with these [non-working] nav lights

Thanks for your help, will get blade style fuse, close to battery.

 

[greenmtnboat]

Re: I hope someone here can help me with these [non-working] nav lights

Re: I hope someone here can help me with these [non-working] nav lights

Thanks, I appreciate your help.