Need Help with a Sundancer pontoon

[mahotoon]

Hi Everyone,

I just acquired a 2002 Sundancer 200D-Designer Pontoon. The boat seems in pretty good shape, but this is my first pontoon and I see a whole bunch of round switches on the console with no idea what they turn on or off, and many if not all of them have 3 positions. It is a bit daunting to try and figure this out by trial and error. I figured, "no problem" I will just find some instruction manual on the internet or call the manufacturer, but that is where I got the real surprise - absolutely nothing. No files associated with Sundancer Pontoon, just a few boats for sale here and there. Looks like the manufacturer sold the business and doesn't exist anymore, the buyer claims they have no idea who holds the rights to the brand now and they have no information to share. Of course if the boat had come with a good instruction and a manual I would not have to do that, but it didn't. Can anyone help with any information on who specializes in servicing these boats and/or may have a copy of a manual, brochure, wiring diagram or just about anything that can help me start figuring this boat out?

 

[garbageguy]

maybe some pics of the whole boat, and eventually zeroing in to your area of concern? if it's an '02, lots could have been done

 

[HotTommy]

Here is some general information that may help. First, some or all of those switches may be powered directly OR only when the ignition key is on. So you may need to test with the key on to determine when they are powered. Second, boats are required to have navigation lights (red and green) and a white position light. Those may all be powered by one or two switches that should be easy to find when it's not too bright outside. Third, there may be several accessories controlled by other switches (e.g., radio, GPS, depth finder, dash lights, deck lights, docking lights, underwater lights, bilge pump, etc.). It should be easy to identify those that have displays (e.g., depth finder). Finally, there may be some switches that are not active because the factory installed a standard console and didn't need all the switches. You may be able to look up inside the console and see if any switches are not wired up. ... Good luck.

 

[mahotoon]

Thank you for the quick replies! I am attaching a picture of the console in case anyone recognizes this. Some of the functions like turning on the nav lights and the dashboard light were easy, but with 5 switches with 3 positions, each and key on/off there is a good number of combinations for a pure "brute force" trial and error approach.

 

[ahicks]

IMHO, when you find something important that doesn't work, THEN you worry about what switch.

2 of the 3 way switches may be for your nav lights, with all on in one position and just the white stern light in the other, and your bilge pump, where one position is manual on, the other automatic.

 

[HotTommy]

It seems to me that if you can't see, hear or feel something happen when you flip a switch, it isn't much use anyhow.

 

[wrvond]

I see you have a depth finder, so I figure you've got the following functions:
1: horn
2. depth sounder
3. radio
4. navigation lights
5. accessories

The reason the radio has a switch on the panel in addition to it's own power on/off switch is that many radios draw power even when they are "off". These days most are simply in "standby" and not truly "off". Turning off power at the panel prevents killing your battery between uses.
Accessories may not have anything hooked up to it. Or it may be running a live well, or LED lights that are not part of the navigation lights.
If your boat doesn't have an actual bilge, you aren't going to have a bilge pump.

Nothing is going to blow up if you operate the switches to see what they do.

 

[mahotoon]

I really appreciate all the comments and advice. Going through trial and error, so far so good. The boat is operational, just it feels really odd not to know what half the controls do.

 

[mahotoon]

.. on a separate note, I cannot see any bilge pump control, switch or outlet. Is that common with pontoons?

 

[Toyelectroman]

Do you have a tritoon with a ski locker? If not then you probably don't have a bilge pump. I don't have a bilge pump but have a switch for it, but it is not wired to anything

 

[mahotoon]

It has 2 tubes only so I guess no bilge to speak of.

 

[wahlejim]

2 common switches on pontoons of that vintage are dock lights and interior lights, whether equipped or not. I have seen them wired to 3 ways to function with the keyswitch and without.