2006 Marlin - Dash Accessory Switch (?)

Ralph163

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2022
Messages
78
Reaction score
10
Points
8
Age
54
Model
Marlin
Anybody have any clue what the accessory switch o the right of the washdown switch is?
It has a 15a breaker an orange(blue stripe) wire attached to it. Had the boat now for 2 years and have no idea what it controls.

IMG_2204.JPG

IMG_2201.jpg
 

kirk a

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2009
Messages
403
Reaction score
132
Points
43
Location
Massachusetts
Model
Express 330
The ABYC color guide indicates orange with blue is a power protected feed / GPS. Do you have a GPS antenna? *Obviously, this assumes that whomever wired this, used the right wire for the job *
 

Ralph163

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2022
Messages
78
Reaction score
10
Points
8
Age
54
Model
Marlin
The ABYC color guide indicates orange with blue is a power protected feed / GPS. Do you have a GPS antenna? *Obviously, this assumes that whomever wired this, used the right wire for the job *
Thanks. Looks like a factory wire. 15a fuse sounds high for a GPS ant. Can't find anything it is/was attached to
 

Ralph163

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2022
Messages
78
Reaction score
10
Points
8
Age
54
Model
Marlin
May be an extra and not wired to anything.
That's my guess. Was surprised to see a wire attached to it. Trying to figure where the wire goes to, if anything. The wire looks OEM. I need to tap the accessory switch to power a relay.
 

Hookup1

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Oct 16, 2007
Messages
3,039
Reaction score
859
Points
113
Age
70
Location
Cape May, NJ
Model
Islander
Download the owner's manual from the Grady White site. Usually there is a wire color code table. It may be an Accessory switch. Could be wired to anything!

Can't really see all the wires in the photo. Ignore the common wires between switches. When does the active wire go? Back into the harness or connected to something on the panel?
 

kirk a

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2009
Messages
403
Reaction score
132
Points
43
Location
Massachusetts
Model
Express 330
Another thought it might be the feed to a power block up in the hardtop? 15a would be reasonable for that use - does your boat have overhead compartments where a VHF or other electronics might be installed?
 

Ralph163

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2022
Messages
78
Reaction score
10
Points
8
Age
54
Model
Marlin
Download the owner's manual from the Grady White site. Usually there is a wire color code table. It may be an Accessory switch. Could be wired to anything!

Can't really see all the wires in the photo. Ignore the common wires between switches. When does the active wire go? Back into the harness or connected to something on the panel?
I have the manual. Doesn't mention what the ACC switches are for. Just says they are open for use. One was empty, this one had a 15a breaker and orange/blue wire connected to it. Can't find where it goes. The active wire (orange/blue on the bottom of switch) disappears into the Grady factory mess of wires. Can't find anything that it energizes/deenergizes.
 

Ralph163

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2022
Messages
78
Reaction score
10
Points
8
Age
54
Model
Marlin
Another thought it might be the feed to a power block up in the hardtop? 15a would be reasonable for that use - does your boat have overhead compartments where a VHF or other electronics might be installed?
Good thought. But not it. I would notice that if it was switched off. But I also confirmed by looking at the block. I can't find anything that turn onn/off from this switch
 

DennisG01

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Sep 1, 2013
Messages
7,227
Reaction score
1,354
Points
113
Location
Allentown, PA & Friendship, ME
Model
Offshore
If all of your accessories on the boat work without using this switch... then the switch is extra. Disconnect the load side of the switch and use it for what you want. You may have to change the breaker, though, depending on the draw of the accessory you add.
 

Ralph163

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2022
Messages
78
Reaction score
10
Points
8
Age
54
Model
Marlin
If all of your accessories on the boat work without using this switch... then the switch is extra. Disconnect the load side of the switch and use it for what you want. You may have to change the breaker, though, depending on the draw of the accessory you add.

Just strange. The other accessory switch did not have a load side wire connected to it. And why the large breaker?

I will probably leave the load wire but jump it for the relay I want to run off it. I am running a relay for an aux fuel pump. I want the pump on two switches so I cannot accidentally leave it on.
 

Ralph163

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2022
Messages
78
Reaction score
10
Points
8
Age
54
Model
Marlin
Prob to illuminate it.
These switches usually have a positive in (batt), positive out (load) and a Neg to complete the illumination. The positive out (load) is not required to illuminate.
 

DennisG01

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Sep 1, 2013
Messages
7,227
Reaction score
1,354
Points
113
Location
Allentown, PA & Friendship, ME
Model
Offshore
When you have an older boat and haven't had it since new, you're ALSO fighting the Previous Owner Syndrome... so it gets really tough to guess the "why's".

It also may have just been something Grady did as a regular course of business... in other words, use one standard wiring harness and run the wires everywhere... but whether or not the accessory was installed became part of the "option list" when the boat was first ordered.

I'd caution against leaving the existing load wire connected. It's been there, obviously, for a while and most likely will never cause a problem. But, when turn that switch on, somewhere in the boat is a live wire end. This is still assuming that the switch doesn't power an existing accessory that you have that maybe you just don't know about.
 

Ralph163

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2022
Messages
78
Reaction score
10
Points
8
Age
54
Model
Marlin
When you have an older boat and haven't had it since new, you're ALSO fighting the Previous Owner Syndrome... so it gets really tough to guess the "why's".

It also may have just been something Grady did as a regular course of business... in other words, use one standard wiring harness and run the wires everywhere... but whether or not the accessory was installed became part of the "option list" when the boat was first ordered.

I'd caution against leaving the existing load wire connected. It's been there, obviously, for a while and most likely will never cause a problem. But, when turn that switch on, somewhere in the boat is a live wire end. This is still assuming that the switch doesn't power an existing accessory that you have that maybe you just don't know about.
Looks like a factory wire. For the same reasons you mentioned, I am concerned to disconnect it. I may realize one day that it is something I need at the most inopportune moment. I will only leave the switch on briefly on rare occasions to run a aux fuel pump relay. I doubt whatever it is is shorted, because nothing blows when I switch it on. I noticed Grady Installers leave some open wires with butt connectors on. One thing about Grady, their wiring is not very impressive. Pretty sloppy. I hope the new ones are cleaner. Anyways, still wonder where that orange/blue wire goes. I will try and follow it, but it gets pretty lost back there.
 

Hookup1

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Oct 16, 2007
Messages
3,039
Reaction score
859
Points
113
Age
70
Location
Cape May, NJ
Model
Islander
You will never be able to follow the wire. If it goes back into the harness it's gone! Your best bet is the wiring diagram in the owners manual. Look for the orange/blue. Only one I could find.

Screen Shot 2024-05-20 at 8.41.01 PM.png
 

drbatts

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2008
Messages
894
Reaction score
192
Points
43
Location
CT
Model
Express 305
probably just an extra switch
 

DennisG01

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Sep 1, 2013
Messages
7,227
Reaction score
1,354
Points
113
Location
Allentown, PA & Friendship, ME
Model
Offshore
Looks like a factory wire. For the same reasons you mentioned, I am concerned to disconnect it. I may realize one day that it is something I need at the most inopportune moment. I will only leave the switch on briefly on rare occasions to run a aux fuel pump relay. I doubt whatever it is is shorted, because nothing blows when I switch it on. I noticed Grady Installers leave some open wires with butt connectors on. One thing about Grady, their wiring is not very impressive. Pretty sloppy. I hope the new ones are cleaner. Anyways, still wonder where that orange/blue wire goes. I will try and follow it, but it gets pretty lost back there.
I realize it's not shorting "right now"... and that it might be capped off... but the question is whether or not it will REMAIN that way. Of course, it's your call, but if the switch doesn't control anything - then there will never be a need for it.

Yes, Grady isn't exactly known for their wiring - other manufacturers do a much better job ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ralph163

SkunkBoat

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2017
Messages
4,521
Reaction score
1,619
Points
113
Location
Manasquan Inlet NJ
Website
www.youtube.com
Model
Express 265
Do you have Fresh Water? Is there a switch for it? Generic Grady chart uses orange/blue for Water Pressure Pump (FW). Orange with stripe usually means a pump motor or wiper motor.

That looks like original wiring. they didn't deviate from their plan. They make the harnesses all the same. Find this chart in your manual.

Maybe they lost the FW switch cover and replaced with ACC?

Screenshot 2024-05-21 at 9.30.48 AM.png