Re: question on
Re: question on
You are confused. Look at the schematic -- right side and you will see a blue wire that says "+12V from NAV/ANCHOR Switch". That connection was just discussed above. Although two or three opinions were voiced as to how the dash lights should be wired, my diagram shows them being powered via the blue wire from the NAV/ANCHOR switch (specifically the NAV position on the switch). Since conserving battery power is always a good idea, with this scheme, when you are anchored for example, there is no need to have the dash lights consuming power since you aren't looking at them anyway. When you get underway again, you are supposed to flip the switch to NAV so both the stern and bow lights come on. When you do that you also turn on the dash lights so its also a visual reminder for you. The NAV/ANCHOR switch gets its power from the fuse panel and there is no connection to the ignition switch.
The RED wire says "+12V from Ignition switch". Gauges like the tach, fuel, voltmeter, temp gauge, trim gauge, are electronic and therefore must be turned on and off. That's done automatically when you turn the key on. Hence the term "+12V swtiched". MAG stands for "magneto" (another name for ignition). Before I answer the question about the ignition switch, are you sure that switch is original? It should have an ACC (accessory) terminal that has 12Volts on it when the key is on. That terminal feeds the red wire on my schematic. The +12V terminal is the INPUT to the switch from the engine wire harness. It would hot all the time. Is your boat an I/O by any chance?