48 DA Bilge Lights

[Rocket]

I know this might be a silly question but how d you turn on the Bilge lights? I have a switch at the cabin entry with an indicator light. Press that, no light comes on. I then thought there would be a switch in the bilge, cant find one! Nothing on the helm control panel either. What am i missing?

 

[CAMELLA]

The cabin switch is the only one I know of. If the switch doesn't light up when pressed you aren't getting power down there for some reason.

 

[Rocket]

Ok thanks, I'll look further, I can't imagine that all 4 bilge lights are out.

 

[CAMELLA]

It might be a bad switch.

 

[Rocket]

Jon, do you have a hydraulic platform? If not what are you using for your dinghy?

 

[JV II]

Yep, the switch is in the cabin at the top of the stairs. Mine has an orange LED indicating the lights are on. They are DC. The electric panel in the cabin has a breaker for it.

 

[CAMELLA]

Jon, do you have a hydraulic platform? If not what are you using for your dinghy?

Yes I have the hydraulic platform.

 

[bahamabreisus]

W also have a breaker on the main panel for bilge lights.

 

[Rocket]

Ok, ill look for that breaker, i didnt think there would be one for that circuit alone.

 

[SoonerDO]

Pull out the switch and check it with a voltmeter. Sounds like the switch may be bad if you aren't seeing the indicator light. Do the other switches for the galley work?

 

[Rocket]

Thanks Guys, All good, the panel switch was the culprit. Silly i should have looked there.

 

[Girlfriend III]

When I bought my boat I had the same issue, and yes, all 8 lights in the engine room were blown out, along with 80% of all the interior DC lighting. Some people just don't care about their boats. Since then I have put flourescent lighting in the engine room. You need sunglasses now when you go down there. I also replaced all my interior lighting with LED, they draw less amps, are cooler than halogen and offer a "calmer" light. With that being said I would get the meter out and start taking some readings, if you get power to the bulb base you know it isn't the switch. Then go to the switch and check for DC current coming in, if you have it at the switch and the bulbs are good check after the switch, if there is no power, then its the $20 toggel switch. Good Luck !