Has anyone added a light switch at the transom?

[Highliner]

Wondering if anyone has ever added a switch to control arch or courtesy lights somewhere near the transom door? Currently there is only the switch at the helm and it would be nice to provide some light when boarding at night. I keep a full canvas surround on the boat normally with no clear panels and when boarding at night it's darker than the inside of a cow.

It would be nice to have a little light to help navigate to the helm area at least.

I know the EIM system makes this a little more complicated, but I would think it could be done? Possibly wiring a momentary switch in parallel with the control pad switch?

 

[Skip Boyer]

Have you considered maybe a solar powered motion light ?

 

[Strecker25]

I do have a solar light that clips onto the canvas frame and it works well. Another option would be one of those LED light switches. They’re really bright and battery powered

As far as wiring a 3 way switch - we have them on the boat from the factory for other things. The courtesy lights for our cockpit have a switch at the helm and one at in the cabin on the way up the steps. I’d think you could steal some diagrams for one of those models (ours is a 98 290DA) and wire yours up the same way

 

[Korkie]

We use these. As we mostly boat during the day we only attached them by a small piece of Release Picture Hanger material. They last a fair amount of time (several nights) on AAA batteries and operate with a remote. Easy to install, we have them placed kind of out of site. and we use them in cup holders also. Inexpensive and no holes to drill. There are several different kits you can buy and the remotes are universal.
https://www.amazon.com/Submersible-Operated-Decorative-Controlled-Halloween/dp/B06XWVD5NT/ref=sr_1_5?crid=26PNPDG3Y65VN&dchild=1&keywords=submersible+led+lights&qid=1587032999&sprefix=submersable+,aps,178&sr=8-5

 

[Spark600]

I have seen boats with remote controls for light, Maybe something to look into if it can be added to the existing system.

 

[mratlndmrk]

I have a regular toggle switch right inside the transom door that operates my arch and under seat cockpit lights.

 

[Riptide III]

The 400 has a 3 way switch at the transom near the door. I added two more. One for the underwater lights and one for the boat name on the transom. I bought a Burlewood plate from FP that was pre cut for 3 switches. It looks like it came that way from the factory.

 

[Brett H]

Both my 2000 410DA and 2004 550DA came with transom door mounted switches (3-way, 4-way or whatever) (at the Cockpit Door, Helm, and Cabin Door) for the Cockpit Courtesy Lights as standard. Both boat's switches at transom door were white, not the typical black elsewhere on the boat. Neither of these has the burlewood plate either, it was white as well. Apparently white so that it blends in.

If you decide to add, just note that it blends in so people don't see it. therefore it's not unusual for people to accidentally turn on by bumping or leaning against the switch.

 

[Highliner]

Thanks for the responses. The boat is basically my weekend cottage and I like to leave the lights off when I'm not onboard so the bugs don't try to congregate. I'm in and out enough that a more permanent solution would be nice. The burl wood plate would look good and I think the wire would be easy enough to run. I'll have to look further into the EIM system to see if a three way switch arrangement is possible.

I may get some of those little pucks either way as they seem like they might be handy for a little ambient light while on the hook. Thanks for the idea!

 

[bbwhitejr]

Both my 2000 410DA and 2004 550DA came with transom door mounted switches (3-way, 4-way or whatever) (at the Cockpit Door, Helm, and Cabin Door) for the Cockpit Courtesy Lights as standard. Both boat's switches at transom door were white, not the typical black elsewhere on the boat. Neither of these has the burlewood plate either, it was white as well. Apparently white so that it blends in.

If you decide to add, just note that it blends in so people don't see it. therefore it's not unusual for people to accidentally turn on by bumping or leaning against the switch.

My DB has the same configuration and in white on the bridge and by the transom door.

Bennett

 

[Blueone]

Here is the best pic I have of mine on the left side of the door.... white on white plate

 

[Riptide III]

 

[Highliner]

Thanks guys. That's helpful.

 

[Irie308]

I always wished there was one on our 320. I think the 340 may have had this as an option. Your biggest issue is weather a carling switch would work with the built in switch at the helm. I recently added a spreader light which required 2 SPDT switches. Wondering also if you are unable to integrate a carling switch with the helm you could always add a separate small led light at the base of your lounge seats and add the switch by the door where you want it?