Simple Wiring Diagram

[LeeOhmart]

I am doing a restoration on a 12-foot wooden boat and have decided to add red-green navigation lights in the boat and a mast light in the stern so I can safely use it at night. The former owner had installed a single-pole, single-throw (on/off) switch on the dash but it wasn't wired to anything. Being a cheap Yankee, I'd like to use that switch to operate all three lights. (the red and green are two separate lights) Can I wire all three on one circuit? Do I need a fuse?

 

[Scott Danforth]

I am doing a restoration on a 12-foot wooden boat and have decided to add red-green navigation lights in the boat and a mast light in the stern so I can safely use it at night. The former owner had installed a single-pole, single-throw (on/off) switch on the dash but it wasn't wired to anything. Being a cheap Yankee, I'd like to use that switch to operate all three lights. (the red and green are two separate lights) Can I wire all three on one circuit? Do I need a fuse?

yes, you use a fuse.

circuits in the electrical stickies.

 

[alldodge]

Your nav lights should be wired so the red/green/white are ON while running, and only the white (anchor light) is ON at anchor. Need a SPDT using a diode, or a DPDT if not

 

[LeeOhmart]

Your nav lights should be wired so the red/green/white are ON while running, and only the white (anchor light) is ON at anchor. Need a SPDT using a diode, or a DPDT if not

Interesting. At the lake all the boats keep their red/green lights on as well as a white mast light when running around the lake at night.

 

[alldodge]

Interesting. At the lake all the boats keep their red/green lights on as well as a white mast light when running around the lake at night.

That's what I said, "ON while running" all 3 are ON
"If at anchor" only white anchor light

 

[tpenfield]

The white light is the stern light, and often the anchor light is used for the same purpose.

 

[tpenfield]

If they are all hooked up to the same switch, then you would not have the anchor only option, but it may not be an issue for your boat and its usage.

 

[Scott Danforth]

The White light is the "all around" light which must be visible at all times up to 2 nautical miles. Unless your boat is on a trailer or moored in a mooring field, or tied to a dock

The red/green navigation light is for any time it's dark and you are not anchored

 

[LeeOhmart]

That's what I said, "ON while running" all 3 are ON
"If at anchor" only white anchor light

Aha. Missed that. Duh.

If they are all hooked up to the same switch, then you would not have the anchor only option, but it may not be an issue for your boat and its usage.

Thanks for that input. I've never seen any boat on the lake with lights on while attached to a buoy in front of the camp so just a simple on/off should suffice.

 

[LeeOhmart]

yes, you use a fuse.

circuits in the electrical stickies.

I looked in the stickies and the diagrams are labeled as unavailable. I guess I'll use a scheme like this with the white light and red/green combined into one circuit. I assume the fuse goes on the positive (red) side.

 

[alldodge]

If your at a mooring, tied to shore, at a dock then no anchor light is needed. Only when anchored away from shore, for fishing, bedding down for the night, or just floating along watching the stars

 

[Scott Danforth]

I looked in the stickies and the diagrams are labeled as unavailable. I guess I'll use a scheme like this with the white light and red/green combined into one circuit. I assume the fuse goes on the positive (red) side.
View attachment 369288

You need a diode like post #3