Stern Light Problem

[Five Spice]

Have driven myself crazy with a pole light that won't work. I have new switch, new pole light and base. Th light is getting juice and have tested the bulb which works. The foreward navigation lights work properly, but the anchor light will not illuminate in either position of the 2 pole switch.

When the pole is out of the base, the ground is not hot, as it should be. However, when the pole is inserted into the base, the ground goes hot. I re-wired the ground straight to the negative battery terminal before I realized the pole completed the circuit. This is exactly what happened with the old base before I spent $30 for the new one. Is this what's supposed to happen? I'm at my wits end and ready to duct tape a flashlight on a broomstick.

 

[wifisher]

Re: Stern Light Problem

If the negative terminal is hot on your light base, the circuit is open between that terminal and the battery. Check the wire, and clean any connections.

 

[Five Spice]

Re: Stern Light Problem

It only goes hot when the pole light is inserted. The base is new, light is new, and I put a new terminal connector on the ground wire and screwed it down on the negative terminal on the battery. No corrosion anywhere.

 

[wifisher]

Re: Stern Light Problem

It shows hot when the pole is inserted because the circuit has been closed from the battery through the light and down to the terminal. The voltage is trying to find the - terminal. There is no way that a wire with no bad connections, break, or other problem can show voltage when attached to the negative terminal. It would be a dead shart and it would either blow a fuse or start a fire.

 

[Five Spice]

Re: Stern Light Problem

That's what I was worried about when I saw voltage on the ground before I put it on the battery. Flashlight is seeming better all the time.

 

[wifisher]

Re: Stern Light Problem

Once a ground path is established, the voltage will disappear on the negative side of the light. It is there now, because the circuit is open, so there is no load. When the circuit is completed the light will limit the current, and all will be fine. Try running a new wire to the battery. My guess is that there is a connector crimped on insulation or some other hard to see defect in the neg. wire.

 

[Five Spice]

Re: Stern Light Problem

thanks. Will do.

 

[Five Spice]

Re: Stern Light Problem

So after 2 w/e of lying on my back playing with electricity, it came down to about 18" of bad wire. Lights work, returned new base, so all it cost me was some frustration and time getting cozy with the underside of the stern of my Grady.