New boat, new problems.....

[Barry63052]

First off, HI EVERYONE!!!

I bought a 1991 18' Bass buggy a couple of weeks ago. It has a 40 hp evinrude on it. It has the bimini top, a cover, trolling motor, fish finder, live well and a trailer, and overall a pretty clean boat. The deck has some soft spots in it though. I will tear it all down this winter and redeck it though. We have had it out a couple of times with no problems. Untill Saturday night....

We were in the boat, tied to a buddys boat, watching the fireworks. I had my navigation lights on. After a little while, he told me to turn my navigation lights on, I was like, they ARE on. Only they weren't on! I flipped the switch a couple of times, still nothing. Tried the radio, nothing. Tried the bilge pump, nothing. Thought maybe the battery was dead, but the motor started right up. Checked the fuses, all good. Well we got it back to the dock and said we would look at it in the morning.

I went out the next morning and found a burnt wire under the console, right by a wire connector. Then I took the dash out and found a totally burnt wire coming from the left side of the ignition switch. Now, Im thinking its a ground wire that just overheated, and I can just replace it with a larger wire and everything should be good. Just kinda wanted some more thoughts on the idea.

 

[KRISTIAN1979]

Re: New boat, new problems.....

I would check the fuse and make sure it's the right size and check the switch it is on also make sure what that wire really does and if it's a ground wire and you change it to a larger wire it's going to cause something else to burn up and might catch on fire

 

[DAN M VAGOS]

Re: New boat, new problems.....

What happens with those type of connectors is the loosen up from all the movement and as soon as they loosen very small sparks start between the terminal and the connector witch then starts to heat up then comes the melting. I would change any wires that look bad with new wire and good connectors NOT harbor freight ones any thing that comes out of that store is JUNK !! Also if it got to hot it may have melted the switches or the relays so check them too.

 

[Barry63052]

Re: New boat, new problems.....

I just thought of something else too. The other owner had a pair of car driving lights mounted up on the bow that came on when the navigation lights came on. There was no way to shut them off. It was either all the lights or none of them. Now, I was planning on wiring them up to a separate switch, but guess I didn't get to it quick enough!
Im just wondering if the "extra" draw for the headlights would have anything to do with the wire melting down???

 

[MinUph]

Re: New boat, new problems.....

Car headlights will take a great deal of power. Probably more than the wire can handle. Do away with them or put them on their own circuit. With larger wire.

 

[lncoop]

Re: New boat, new problems.....

I just thought of something else too. The other owner had a pair of car driving lights mounted up on the bow that came on when the navigation lights came on. There was no way to shut them off. It was either all the lights or none of them. Now, I was planning on wiring them up to a separate switch, but guess I didn't get to it quick enough!
Im just wondering if the "extra" draw for the headlights would have anything to do with the wire melting down???

:facepalm: What a clown (not you, the PO). I can imagine other boats coming toward him trying to look at his red/green nav lights to determine his direction and being blinded and/or confuzzed by his automotive headlights. My suggestion would be to get rid of them altogether. They do make marine docking lights that you could replace them with, but I've been boating at night for years and can't think of one time I wished I had had them. YMMV. Welcome aboard!

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: New boat, new problems.....

It sounds like you have also found the cause, a lot of the driving lights do pull a lot of amps, so much in fact that most requires a special relay to run them.

 

[Barry63052]

Re: New boat, new problems.....

I should probably also throw it out there that this is my very first boat. I really just figured that lights would be a good thing. But I did notice as I was coming back to the dock, that nobody else had any. headlights. I'm thinking I will leave them there, but I will wire them up correctly!

 

[Barry63052]

Re: New boat, new problems.....

AND, just use them for night time docking.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: New boat, new problems.....

Nothing wrong with using docking lights, Their very handy when coming into the slip at night. I added a set of LED ones over the winter. More light and less power draw.

 

[Fleetwin]

Re: New boat, new problems.....

Don't run with those headlights on. As previously mentioned, other boaters cannot tell your direction because they cannot see your nav. lights (red/green).

They will also ruin your night vision. Use them for docking only and put them on a seperate switch/circuit with a relay.

 

[junkman41]

Re: New boat, new problems.....

I would take the car headlights off all together, and get marine mooring lights . Then you know it will not draw to much and burn again.

 

[dls322]

Re: New boat, new problems.....

i know in PA that running with them on is illegal unless you are docking and there is certain criteria as in the distance you need to be away from the dock and such. You can't just drive around with them on at night.

 

[lncoop]

Re: New boat, new problems.....

I would take the car headlights off all together, and get marine mooring lights . Then you know it will not draw to much and burn again.

+1. If you want to have docking lights invest in some good LED marine ones. You'll come out way ahead in the long (and short) run.