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Need help understanding NAV switch

Started by Wayne J, February 20, 2017, 05:20:27 PM

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Wayne J

I can get rear NAV light to work, but front NAV light wont work!

Anyone have a switch panel that looks like one pictured below?

Need to understand the NAV switch.  Mine has 3 positions.  ... switch is pictured.  I guess down position is off...

Thanks!

Wayne
CP-16/2 1986
Catalina Capri 14.2 1985
Richmond, Virginia

wes

Only two wires connected to that switch? No reason it should be a 3-position type. Assume you have replaced the lamp in the front (bow) light. If so then there is probably a wiring problem between switch and bow light or inside bow fixture. Replacement fixtures (Aqua Signal Series 25) are easily available online from Defender and others. Not expensive.

Under CG rules you would always have both on when underway after dark under sail. If motoring you would also turn on the steaming light (probably marked "Bow" on your panel, which is confusing).

Wes
"Sophie", 1988 CP 27/2 #74
"Bella", 1988 CP 19/3 #453
Bath, North Carolina

Wayne J

CP-16/2 1986
Catalina Capri 14.2 1985
Richmond, Virginia

hoddinr

May be a stupid question, but did you check the bulb?

Ron

Wayne J

yes---  bulbs are new.   Switch seems to be the problem  Going to replace that fancy 3 position switch with a 2 position switch for 2 circuits.

Wayne
CP-16/2 1986
Catalina Capri 14.2 1985
Richmond, Virginia

sawfish

Should have 3 positions:Nav lights/off/anchor light..but doesn't appear to be wired that way in pic(?)

moonlight

Do you have measurable voltage forward?

Remember, measurable voltage is milliamps.

I have seen it (often) where due to wiring deficiency midstream, measurable voltage was present but amperage to light the bulb insufficient. 
I even had one stubborn customer who refused to concede this point, and rather than allowing us to rerun the wire from switch to bulb insisted we only replace the damaged portion ... so we went back, 5' at a time, through a 40' something boat, until we could find enough clean and clear electricity to illuminate the bulb.  Only then did he realize he'd just spend 10x in labor what it the wire from the beginning would have cost.  Sometimes it's not efficient to "find" the actual problem, but better to just say it's in this wire somewhere and it's not in the new wire ... so pull away!