Boat Navigational Wiring

[fishman22]

I'm trying to rewire my 1991 Lowe pontoon boat's naviational light wiring. Yesterday, my neighbor and I had both the nav and anchor lights working properly (anchor by itself and nav and anchor working at the same time. However, when dusk came and I could see, instrument lights were still on and the only way to get them off was to disconnect power to the battery.

The switch has 7 terminals on it and I think it's called a dpdt (double pole double throw). The nav light switch has a jumper wire to another switch that may control the instrument light panel - but being really dumb at this sort of thing, I really don't know what this 2nd switch does.

Because I get confused

Can anyone tell me:

1): Is there a "standard" diagram of which wires go to each switch terminal?

2): How can I tell if the switch is bad?

3): Where can I find a replacement switch? I've looked at westmarine.com and their website is no help.

Thanks to any and all that can help.

Looks like a great forum.

fishman.

[hoytedow]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switch

Google marine douple pole double throw and you will find some sources of which this is just one.: http://www.altex.com/%2FAutomotive-Marine-Toggle-Switch-DPDT-On-On-30-166-P142461.aspx
Fused switch panels:http://www.cabelas.com/p-0045544018827a.shtml

[Fanie]

Hi Fishman,

Personally I dislike those all-in-one switches. If they give problems it's usually a bugger to find out if it is the switch and you cough up since it's a special component - IF you can still get it.

As Hoyt suggested, get a fused switch panel and do your wiring from there. You have better control over more things and it's simpler to trace faults also. If there are spare switches it's not rocket science to switch over to another working switch. The problem switch is usually easy to replace - if it's a standard item.

Easiest way to wire is always to connect all commons to negative of the battery or earth, and all V+ supplies pass through the swiches to what ever it is you have there.

[fishman22]

Thanks for all the replys. A friend got instructions from easyacdc.com. Worked great (after I undid all my neighbor's connections that he did).

Like I said, a great website and forum.