Acct. Switch

[Steve Craig]

Hi,
I have an accessory switch on the helm, currently not used. Should be a conductor & a splice point from it buried somewhere under the dash.
Line side is fed from a 15A fuse, conductor # 508.
Anyone know the rating of the spare switch ? Believe it would be a Carling product.

Thanks,
Steve C.

 

[doozie]

15 amp fuse, 15 amp rating

 

[Steve Craig]

Got it Thanks.
Have an aftermarket macerator previous owner installed. They used the spare tab at the fuse panel tagged VHF & fused it at 25A. A spring loaded switch is mounted by the radio head unit. FLA on the pump motor is 16A @ 12VDC. Was hoping the Carling products would be rated at least 20A. New switches on their site indicate 20A @ 14VDC. Mine are OEM 2007 so without tearing the back of the dash apart to physically get the switch in hand & read the ratings, I cannot confirm.
I changed the fuse to a 20 today & we'll see if it will hold under load. Just sold my clamp-on DC ammeter.

Cheers,
Steve C.

 

[Westie]

Just because there is a 15 amp fuse doesn't mean the switch is only rated 15 amps. If everything was done correctly it means the switch is rated for at least 15 amps but could be more.
Before you just start changing fuses though you should check to ensure that the wiring and switch are rated for the new fuse size.

 

[Steve Craig]

Westie,
Just reread your last post. I removed a 25A fuse & replaced it with a 20A. Fuse held last time we used it. Think I'll pull the back of the helm off this Fall & have a look at the switch itself. I plan on replacing all the speakers on the boat at about the same time. There is a +/- 3" tweeter mounted just beside the Smart-Craft gauge that will require the same dis-assembly process.

 

[dvx216]

instead of pulling all those amps across that switch which might be arcing when you go to turn it off this would be a good place to install a relay so the switch doesn't see any amps