Rewiring an anchor light

[motownbob]

I have to replace an anchor light that is the fold down type that mounts to the windshield of my walk around with Bimini top . I want to rewire the light and not use the old wiring . Can I wire the light directly to the switch at the helm ? I am concerned about the old wiring which is enclosed in the the aluminum windshield channel . I really don't want to take apart the windshield to get at it . The wiring in this boat is really tough to work on , a real birds nest . I tried to trace the wires back from the switch to find where it comes out of the windshield frame , but no luck . I would like to leave it there with no power to it . I think that the gray wire from the switch is the power to the light . If I disconnect this wire and run a new from the light , will I be okay , or do I have to find where the black hooks into ground and disconnect it ? Any suggestions are welcome ! Thanks , Bob

 

[NYBo]

You can continue to use the black. But for a neater appearance, would you be able to use the old wires to pull new wires through the windshield channel?

 

[motownbob]

One of the two wires broke in the channel : it looks like it was butt connected as about a 3/8 inch strip of bare wire came out when I removed the old light . So right now I have no way to pull one of the two wires through . Bob

 

[crb478]

I would look until I found where the broken wire exists on the other end. Pull it out and then use the remaining wire as a pull wire for either a strong string or the two new wires. I would probably pull two strings through so I had a back up.