Navigation lights wiring

[river_bouy]

Hi,
I am having problems with my NAV lights not turning on. I basically just want to understand the wiring as my electronics is not great.

I have a fuse block under the dash that connects to some switches for my accessories. Most of these accessories are single unit devices (eg. radio, fish finder). However, I am not sure how the one switch operates all three of my nav lights?

Do you just splice the red positive wire from the switch and run it to the three lights and also splice the black negative wires back into one wire and connect that to the fuse block?

Thanks in advance.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Navigation lights wiring

Every nav light switch I have had is a center off double throw switch. Usually a rocker switch that turns on the bow (navigation) lights in one direction and the stern (anchor) light in the other direction. In the center position, everything is off. You would never be running your navigation and anchor lights at the same time.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Navigation lights wiring

You would never be running your navigation and anchor lights at the same time.

...assuming you wanted a $50 fine (in these parts).

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Navigation lights wiring

If the NAV/ANC switch has six terminals, wiring is like this:

If the NAV/ANC switch has three terminals, wiring is like this:

The anchor light is supposed to be on ONLY when at anchor. If the boat is moving, BOTH NAV and ANCHOR lights are on.

 

[springhead]

Re: Navigation lights wiring

triumphrick , you always have nav lights and anchor (all around lights) on at all times, its wired that way. this might help
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/navLightSwitch.html

 

[river_bouy]

Re: Navigation lights wiring

Thanks guys.
I'm in Australia so regulations might be different. I have a simple on/off switch that turns on the port and starboard light and an all-round white lite on the bow.

I can see in the link you posted springhead that the side lights are wired in parallel. So by splicing the red/black wire from the switch and then running two seperate connections to the side lights should work right?

If two side lights in parallel that would just reduce the current by half?

Thanks

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Navigation lights wiring

Two lights in parallel does not reduce anything. You will have 12V at each light and current (amps) in each branch will be whatever that light draws (which will be about 1/2 amp or less).

 

[ajumper1]

Re: Navigation lights wiring

Three years later...still helps. Thanks guys...was beating my head on boat! I am no electrician, but I learned something today!
Cheers.