Bow and Stern lights don't come on together

Joined
Jul 29, 2012
Messages
2
The anchor light comes on when you press the switch down. The up position doesn't turn on the nav lights. A few times it worked and then went off. And, sometimes when the bow lights were on, they were dim. Now they don't come on at all. The switch is a Carling, V6D1. The diode appears intact, but is blackened and appears to have overheated. It was warm to the touch. Any ideas? Thanks!
 

NYBo

Admiral
Joined
Oct 23, 2008
Messages
7,107
Re: Bow and Stern lights don't come on together

Welcome to iboats!:cool:

It sounds like it's time for a new diode.
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,758
Re: Bow and Stern lights don't come on together

The diode "blocks" current to the bow light when the ANC (stern) light is selected and it passes current to the ANC light when the NAV lights are selected. So if the observations about what is happening are true, then ff the diode is open only the bow light would work when the NAV position is selected. If the diode is shorted, both lights would work in either position so the fact that the NAV light is not working sort of eliminates the diode as the issue. There are some bad connections to the bow light, the light assembly has issues, or the switch is bad.
 
Joined
Jul 29, 2012
Messages
2
Re: Bow and Stern lights don't come on together

Thanks for the feedback. Here is the latest. I purchased a new switch and diode. Now, the nav lights come on ok, but when I put the anc light on, it lights ok, but the bow lights come on also but are dim; along with the panel lights too. I tried switching the old diode back, and it did the same thing. Also, no matter which position the switch is on, anc or nav, both of the lights on the switch are on at the same time. Could this be a broken out of the box new switch? Thanks!
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,758
Re: Bow and Stern lights don't come on together

So that we can stop guessing at what you have for wiring, how about drawing and posting a diagram or at least take a picture of the switch and the wiring.
 

sccatfish

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 29, 2009
Messages
147
Re: Bow and Stern lights don't come on together

Use a DPDT switch instead of a switch with a diode. There are 6 connectors on the back. Hook power to the middle two. Hook bow and stern on different connectors on one end and only hook stern to the other end, the other connector on that end won't have anything hooked to it. This essentially puts the stern and bow lights on separate circuits.
 
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