Navagation Lights Not Working

[gearyg]

I have a 2002 Triumph 210 and my Nav lights (red and green separate) have been burning out the bulbs one at a time about every third trip. However, not, neither of the red or green light, lights up.

My Nav Switch is a double pull, double throw (in the up positions, it turns on the green, red and the 360 light...in the down position it only turns on the 360 light...middle position is off). Below my switch is a 5A breaker button.

When I put it in the switch in the Down position, the 30 light works fine. In the Up position, it keeps popping the breaker button.

Could this be a faulty Switch?

There are only 2 wires fed to my bow, but it is a pain in the #$%^& to re-run them, not including having to by pass the wire harness connector. I have checked all the connections/splices and have redone them, but the main wires I have not changed. I am hoping it is a faulty switch if you know what I mean.... Any Help is Appreciated...thanks.

 

[arks]

Re: Navagation Lights Not Working

Could this be a faulty Switch?

Yes, but you need to isolate the problem before running out and buying a new one. I'd run a temporary wire from the switch to the bow lights and see if the problem persists.
I also wonder if the 2 lamps are drawing more than 5 amps (combined) and their filaments are somehow compromised by it.
Just my thoughts....

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Navagation Lights Not Working

3 bulbs are drawing more than a 5 amp fuse can handle. try to find some led replacement bulbs for those sockets. or you are going to have to add a switch and fuse, and separate the bow and stern lights.

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: Navagation Lights Not Working

The most probable way to blow out bulbs is by having too high of a voltage. Measure your battery voltage. Most likely a bad regulator? or possibly an intermitent battery connection will cause voltage surges. As far as the 5 Amp fuse blowing with three bulbs, it depends on the bulb rating. Add the currents up and see if it adds to more than 5 amps. If so, then it can cause a fuse to blow.

TerryMSU

 

[pvanv]

Re: Navagation Lights Not Working

As an EE who works in the marine industry, I agree with the other posters, but want to explain a couple of easy tests to make.

FWIW, The 5 amp fuse sounds likely a bit wimpy. I'd verify that it's the correct rating. 16-ga. wire can handle 10 amps.

In professional troubleshooting, we always try to divide the system in half and then re-test. That tells us which "half" of the system has the fault.

1- If you remove both forward bulbs, does the fuse still blow? If so, there is a wiring problem. If not, the bulbs are drawing too much current for the fuse. You may have gotten incorrect bulbs by mistake. For example, inserting a single-pin bayonet bulb in a 2-pin socket can cause a short -- and blow the fuse. If the wiring itself, with no bulbs inserted, does not blow the fuse, and you are sure you have the correct bulbs, you may have too small a fuse.

2- If the fuse blew with the bulbs out, you need to diagnose where the wiring problem is located. If you disconnect the wiring for the forward lights from the switch, does the fuse still blow? If so The problem is BEFORE the forward wiring (possibly a bad switch). If the fuse does not blow, then you have isolated the problem to the forward wiring.

HTH

 

[gearyg]

Re: Navagation Lights Not Working

Thanks for all the input guys, if it was not so foggy this morning, I would be out there trying to finish fixing it right now.

pvanv, thanks for the testing advice/methods, this is what I wanted to do instead of changing the wires, fuse and switch...I figure I would soleve it if I just changed everyting, you know the shotgun approach. Wish me luck, because once I have to start disconecting wires to test, who know how I might put them back together...I guess I shoud take a picture of it before I start.

Will report back

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Navagation Lights Not Working

or draw a diagram.

 

[gearyg]

Re: Navagation Lights Not Working

Ok, new switch $35, new wires $20, new breaker $15, information from iboats...priceless because I did not have to buy any of this.

First I disconnected both bulbs, the fuse still tripped. When I disconnected the wire from the switch to the bow lights (split the system in half) as suggested and walla, the breaker did not trip. So I decided to check the wire at all the connections and up near the starboard light, the + and - coming from the base was pinched and the coating on both wires had a small split in them exposing the wires (just barely) and were touching each other...this was the short. Re connected the base and I now have nav lights again.....thanks!

Checked all the bulbs, only drawing about 2.5amps, so I should be good with a 5A breaker.