Switches

[HaulinBass]

Trying to find out if anyone knows what kind of switch is used for the masthead/allaround light in a '88 offshore, I just replaced the light and both lights come on when you switch on either navigation or anchor. I checked the wiring diagram and it is wired correctly, My guess is the switch. Any ideas? Thank in advance

 

[BobP]

Another new member, nice! Welcome.

The white light is supposed to go on both during navigation and while at anchor. While at anchor, only the white light shall be lit.

How many wires come from the masthead light, besides the neg wire?

If there is only one positive wire, then the sw needs to be a double throw double pole (DPDT) the OFF can be in any position, I think mine is in the middle as in On-OFF-ON The white light gets connected to it's own pole.

If there is two wires besides the negative, a lower cost single pole double throw (SPDT) is good enough, can also use the DPDT sw.

 

[gw204]

I figured this out once and wrote up my findings. Let me see if I can dig that up...

BobP is right, DPDT switch was required and I recall having to make a jumper that ran from one "on" set of contacts to the other "on" set of contacts.

 

[BobP]

Brian, you jumpered the power feed to the switch's both poles, had to.

I believe my white light has one bulb and one single filament so DPDT is the switch.

 

[HaulinBass]

Thanks for your help!