Navigation Lights Connection

[Andrew Leigh]

Hi,<br /><br />as I will seldom, if ever, require navigation lights I bought one of those three in one units to use just in case of emergency. I plan on mounting it to the top of the ski pole on a removable mounting.<br /><br />What confuses me is that the wiring diagram supplied with the unit indicates that the Port and Starboard lights are connected in parallel to one switch whilst the white stern light is connected to a diferent switch.<br /><br />This connection pattern would indicate that one would want to have these light on independently to each other.<br /><br />Is this true? If so could someone please tell me why?<br /><br />Thank you<br />Andrew

 

[Boatist]

Re: Navigation Lights Connection

Andrew<br />Any time you are are "underway" (meaning not at anchor, tied to a dock or aground) at night or during reduced visibilty you are required to show a red light from dead ahead and 112 degrees to port and a green light from dead ahead to 112 degrees to starboard. also need to show a white light to the stern to cover the rest of the 360 circle, or can have a higher white for a 360 degree circle but must be higher than your red and green.<br /><br />If you are at anchor then must only show the 360 degree white light and no red or green. For this reason the white must be wired seperate from the red and green.<br /><br />Lots of places I go see boat at anchor with red and green light on, a clear vilation. Most I figure just have not taken a Coast Guard class and do not know what to do but some could be wired wrong.

 

[Andrew Leigh]

Re: Navigation Lights Connection

Hi,<br /><br />Boatist - thank you for the clear and concise answer. It make perfect sense.......now.<br /><br />Cheers<br />Andrew

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: Navigation Lights Connection

boatist has a good username- lol<br />kinda like the old movie rifleman, he knew rifles