Need help understanding NAV switch

[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

[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

[Wayne J]

Not expensive is my mantra!

[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

[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!