Wiring Navigation Lights help

[Johnny Stugots]

I'm sure this is simple, but I want to make sure I do it correct.

I have a 3 switch toggle and I need to hook up the navigation lights and the bilge pump. The bilge pump has three wires black, red, and a brown striped one. The bow and anchor lights each have a red and black wire.

Can some one please explain how to run all of these wires to toggle and battery. Thank you

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Wiring Navigation Lights help

bilge
black ground
red positive
brown is for auto float

light
red positive
black ground

u need to show us the switch

 

[Johnny Stugots]

Re: Wiring Navigation Lights help

This is what I have. A three terminal switch. Do I run both of the red wires from the lights to one of the terimals?

http://www.boatersworld.com/product/198422115.htm

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Wiring Navigation Lights help

u can use that switch, but when Ur anchored at night all lights will be on
u are supposed to only have your anchor light on when anchored, not the red/green lights

the reds go to the load side
the blacks u need a ground block
the red from the battery goes on the + on the switch
as for the brown on the bilge u need a float if u want to hook it up, which i would do if it was my boat

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Wiring Navigation Lights help

You can't use that switch unless you add a diode as shown in the diagram below. Radio Shack has them for just a few cents. Remember, at anchor only the stern light should be on. Underway both the bow and stern light need to be on.

 

[Johnny Stugots]

Re: Wiring Navigation Lights help

Thanks for the diagram, but I could use some more details. Does both the negative and positive wires from the lights go directly to the battery? Then another wire from the toggle switch to the battery? Thank you.

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Wiring Navigation Lights help

Thanks for the diagram, but I could use some more details. Does both the negative and positive wires from the lights go directly to the battery? Then another wire from the toggle switch to the battery? Thank you.

the battery + goes to the switch
the red from lights go to the load side of the switch

 

[Johnny Stugots]

Re: Wiring Navigation Lights help

Thank you all for your help. Any other information would be appriciated.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Wiring Navigation Lights help

The black wire from each light go to ground. Ground can be the ground buss at the console or fuse panel if you have one. If all the grounds from all of the accessories on your boat go to the negative terminal on the battery then thats where the light grounds need to go as well. As is shown on the diagram, the positive wire from each light goes to the appropriate terminal on the switch as shown. You need another wire that runs from the fuse/breaker panel (again if you have one) or from the positive terminal of the battery to the center terminal (+12V on the switch). That wire needs a fuse or circuit breaker in it very close to the battery. Current then can flow from the battery to the switch, then depending on which way you have the toggle set, current can flow to both lights (nav) or just the anchor (stern) light, then back to the battery through the ground wire.

 

[Johnny Stugots]

Re: Wiring Navigation Lights help

thanks for the help.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Wiring Navigation Lights help

No! The ground wires from each light go the ground buss at the fuse/breaker panel if you have one. If not, they connect to the negative terminal of the battery. The other (positive) wire from each light goes to the appropriate terminal on the switch. You need to run a separate +12V wire from the fuse/breaker panel (if you have one) or the positive terminal of the battery to the center terminal on the switch.

 

[Johnny Stugots]

Re: Wiring Navigation Lights help

Thank you Silvertip, you have been very helpful.
I also need to hook up the Atwood Sahara bilge pump. I know the negative goes to the battery. Does the Red or Brown/Striped wire go to the battery? Thanks again.

 

[Johnny Stugots]

Re: Wiring Navigation Lights help

Would anyone know what FUSE AMP. I will need?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Wiring Navigation Lights help

Depends on your wire size but 5 amp would be fine for navigation and 10 amp for the bilge pump.

 

[Johnny Stugots]

Re: Wiring Navigation Lights help

Thank you for the quick reponse.

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Wiring Navigation Lights help

u nee to know watts
then take 12V divided by the watts and u will get amps

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Wiring Navigation Lights help

u nee to know watts
then take 12V divided by the watts and u will get amps

...assuming 3 bulbs @ 5W per bulb you will be less than 2 amps. You will still want a 5 amp fuse.

 

[Johnny Stugots]

Re: Wiring Navigation Lights help

Thanks guys

 

[livdogred]

Re: Wiring Navigation Lights help

i hope this will come useful to determine power,current and voltage . P=power,I=current ,V=voltage .P=VI,V=P/I,I=P/V