Replacing Swithes Help

[5string]

I have 2 swithes in my Polar Skiff, one is an on- off-on that is marked anchor and Nav. and the other is a single on-off marked acc.. The swithes are ones with lights in them so when they are switched on they light. Now, I need new ones cause all the terminals are rusting off the swithes. I have twou wires from each light(a ground and a color) that are split with what appears to be a diode at the plug end. So what it is is the colored wire soldered to a diode that has the other colord wire soldered to the other end of the diode with push conectors on the ends. other than that there are 2 ground wires and 2 hot wires. I can't seem to get this right or the new switch is not EXACTLY the same. Any suggestions. It's like I can't hook up the ground wires to the switch at all BUT they were hooked to the old swithes, I'm at a loss, this is so simple but I need some help.<br /><br />5string

 

[Mad2002]

Re: Replacing Swithes Help

First thing if you have got a single pole on-off switch already on the boat and you are replacing the switch providing the switch is single pole you should not have a problem, regarding the diode all this does is reverse the current why its got one on there is beyond me, but if you have got the time you could fit a make and break relay which will take the load off the switch and the nav lights, if you don't know how to wire this up then e-mail me and I will send you some information on how to do this, I hope this makes sence to you and you solve the problem.

 

[rml]

Re: Replacing Swithes Help

5string - Are the diodes you are referring to light emitting diodes? that is the little red lights that show when an accessory is on. I just replaced my anchor/nav switch. It has three pairs (6 total) of terminals. The center pair is fed hot from the fuse panel. In the anchor position (my switch up), only one of the two lower terminals is hot terminals. This line goes to the anchor light. In the NAV position (my switch down), both upper terminals are hot, one to feed the stern navigation light, the other to feed the port and starboard bow light. I don't think you want to hook up any grounds to the switches themselves, just the hot feeds. Hope this helps.<br /><br /> --rml

 

[5string]

Re: Replacing Swithes Help

THANKS for the help, the diode was bad and that is where I was getting messed up, the center posts were hot and one light at each end, the diode is turned so current only feeds the NAV. light direction when the anchor light is on that way they both burn then.<br /><br />5string