Toggle switch at bow???

[letsgo_fishing]

New to me and first bass boat! 1994 ranger sport r70. It comes with this toggle switch at the bow, just to the left of the bow panel controls. Can anyone tell me what this particular switch is used for??

 

[dwco5051]

Is it marked 12/2? Most likely it is to be able to charge both trolling motor batteries with a plug in charger.

 

[letsgo_fishing]

Is it marked 12/2? Most likely it is to be able to charge both trolling motor batteries with a plug in charger.

No, there is nothing identifying what the switch is for. By the way, I've got a three bank bass pro shops on board charger that charges all batteries at once.. Right?

 

[letsgo_fishing]

When you mention plug in charger, are you referring to the on board bank chargers?

 

[dwco5051]

Negative, before onboard chargers became popular a charger would plug into the same socket the trolling motor used and the switch would be changed from the normal running position to the charge position. With the onboard charger it is not necessary and may have been bypassed. If not make sure it is in the right position for running your motor and just leave it there.

 

[S.A. Baker]

Could also be a switch to turn on nav lights from the bow.

 

[letsgo_fishing]

Negative, before onboard chargers became popular a charger would plug into the same socket the trolling motor used and the switch would be changed from the normal running position to the charge position. With the onboard charger it is not necessary and may have been bypassed. If not make sure it is in the right position for running your motor and just leave it there.

OK... So the switch has a three position setting, forward, neutral and downward... Which positions are which? I normally just keep it in the neutral position... But in the past I've toggled it to different positions to see what it does and have never noticed a difference. I appreciate your patience and input btw. How will I know if the plugs been bypassed and my on board chargers are the main charging source.

 

[dwco5051]

If it is not changing anything when changing it there are two possibilities. First is that it has been disconnected. Second is that it is for somethig else as Baker said. Usually the front switches on a bass boat control Tilt up and Down, live well pumps, or navigation lights. What are the other switchs on the front for? Are they marked and operational? I do not exactly know the layout of your boat but am going by the switches on my 1990 Nitro 20 footer. A double throw switch as you described makes me think that Baker may be correct that it is for lights. If it isn't momentary on (stays in the up or down position without snapping back to the center) you can rule out the tilt function. The only way to know for sure is to remove the panel and see what is connected to what.

 

[letsgo_fishing]

If it is not changing anything when changing it there are two possibilities. First is that it has been disconnected. Second is that it is for somethig else as Baker said. Usually the front switches on a bass boat control Tilt up and Down, live well pumps, or navigation lights. What are the other switchs on the front for? Are they marked and operational? I do not exactly know the layout of your boat but am going by the switches on my 1990 Nitro 20 footer. A double throw switch as you described makes me think that Baker may be correct that it is for lights. If it isn't momentary on (stays in the up or down position without snapping back to the center) you can rule out the tilt function. The only way to know for sure is to remove the panel and see what is connected to what.

The bow panel consists of the tilt/Trim controls, livewell, navigation and an accessory button... So I'm not sure!! Crazy

 

[smokeonthewater]

time to dive in... start tracking wires from the switch to your answer.... It's generally not that hard once you start into it.

 

[dwco5051]

That makes be pretty sure that switch for was for charging the batteries with the trolling motor plug adapter. I know what it is like as my boat had two owners before me and had wires replaced. I still haven't got around to getting all of them fixed. If every thing else on the boat seems to work right I just wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

 

[smokeonthewater]

somehow I must have deleted half of my above entry before posting but it went something like this:

remove 4 screws and bow control panel comes out... feel wires behind switch and see where they go.... follow them through the boat... wiggle while a helper looks around... etc...easy peasy

 

[letsgo_fishing]

Ok... Thanks guys!! I appreciate the comments.