Nav Lights Confusion

[jpmurphy]

I'm in the process of swapping out the old controls for the new controls that came with my new outboard. I have a Nav Light switch next to the console "dash" that is not part of the control box. After playing around with the lights and the wires I managed to get both the stern and bow lights to work. Now, this nav light switch is a three position switch. On, Off, On.

I think the switch is upside down as both lights come on when the switch is put in the "back" position. No problem. The problem is the switch is corroded and the lights will flicker on and off and finally off. Jiggling the switch a bit and the lights come back on. So, I need to replace this switch.

Now, this switch has 4 male terminals on the back side. Only 3 of the terminals are being used. When I replace this switch, can I use one that has 3 terminals ? Seems to me I could, unless the 4th terminal is for "future use", like possibly a courtesy light ? Which I have on order.

I've looked at the switches in the iboats store and I'm a little confused by the "momentary" references. To me, it's either on or it's off. Whats "momentary" all about ?

Am I correct in thinking that with a 3 position switch, both stern & bow lights are on in one position, both off in the next position, and just the stern (anchor) light on in the 3rd position. ??? This appears to be what my switch is doing, but with the condition of the switch I'm just not sure.

Also, I always thought that positive was red and negative black. Did this change while I was away ? My light wiring, just the 2 nav lights, has the inline 30 amp fuse at the battery on the black wire. This looks like factory wiring but who knows ??????

Appreciate any guidance.

 

[slasmith1]

Re: Nav Lights Confusion

I think the fourth terminal is usually for an illuminated switch a wire from your dash lights should connect to it (but i'm sure someone else will correct me if im mistaken) and yes thats exactly how a three position switch should control your lights. most are labeled nav (all lights on) off and anchor (stern or masthead only).

 

[jpmurphy]

Re: Nav Lights Confusion

I think the fourth terminal is usually for an illuminated switch a wire from your dash lights should connect to it (but i'm sure someone else will correct me if im mistaken) and yes thats exactly how a three position switch should control your lights. most are labeled nav (all lights on) off and anchor (stern or masthead only).

Thankyou..

 

[idrownworms]

Re: Nav Lights Confusion

It's like the starter switch, it is on as long as you hold it as soon as you let it go it snaps back to off

 

[flargin]

Re: Nav Lights Confusion

Also, I always thought that positive was red and negative black. Did this change while I was away ? My light wiring, just the 2 nav lights, has the inline 30 amp fuse at the battery on the black wire. This looks like factory wiring but who knows ??????

Appreciate any guidance.

For the most part this is still very true. There are some new trends (don't know if it is now a standard or not) to use Yellow for return/negative. I understand they do this because in house wiring (which is common on many new boats) black = 120v. A bad situation if you mix up a live 120v line thinking it is a ground line

your light wiring is in trouble, unless that wire is 10 gauge you have way to high of a fuse on that for 1, and if it is negative, then it is essentially useless there. I don't know why factory would return nav lights direct to a battery anyway. but who am I to talk about what factories do!

 

[jpmurphy]

Re: Nav Lights Confusion

I have no idea what gauge wire is in my boat. If a 30amp fuse is too big, what size amp should I be running ? This is a 1988 Gregor 16' alum. The only lights on the entire boat are the 2 nav lights. The wiring runs from Bat to switch to ground/lights. :redface:

 

[jpmurphy]

Re: Nav Lights Confusion

New switch arrived today. Might be wrong one. I am replacing a 4 prong switch. The one that arrived today is a 6 prong.

I managed to get the bow running lite to work. Also managed to get the stern anchor light to work. No problem getting the off position to work.

Problem is; can't get both bow and stern lights to work together no matter what combination of prongs I use.

I'm assuming the 6 prong switch will not work like the 4 prong switch.

Both switches appear to be 3 position, on, off, on.

Looks like I need a new 4 prong switch, yes ??

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: Nav Lights Confusion

Sounds to me like you order a double pole double throw switch. That switch will work fine. Try wiring it like this:

You should have 6 male blades arranged like this

TOP
_ _

_ _

_ _

BOTTOM

Wire 12 volts positive to both center blades.

Run the wire from the top right blade to the navagitonal light on the bow.

Put a jumper wire from the top left blade to the bottom left blade and then wire your anchor light to either one of these blades.

Now your switch will work the way it needs to. Good luck!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Nav Lights Confusion

or

 

[jpmurphy]

Re: Nav Lights Confusion

Many thanks guys. All lights now be werkin'.