I want to change my Panel Switch to this, and also fix wiring to Stern Light

[Althepal78]

Link to the switch on ebay
So I have a 5 switch panel however, I don't even use the fifth switch it is actually nothing there. Can I exchange these two. More important I am trying to figure out why my stern light is not working. I added a new light fixture and it is still not working. I bought a multimeter to see if it is getting any power and it is not. I try tracing my wire but it seems as though it is connected correctly. Am I turning it on incorrectly, do I press down instead? I don't get it I even added a new fuse just in case but to no avail.

 

[Skybolt]

That other switch bank is an amazon switch bank, they are not water proof even if they say they are. It will work fine for a few days/weeks then nothing lights s will die and switches will not work etc.

If you want new switches, go to https://newwiremarine.com they will also make up custom switch covers with custom names etc.

As far as your stern light, that should be part of the navigation lights, do any of them work? Are they part of the switch bank?

If your navigation lights have two settings one is for the nav lights (including the stern light) and the other is for the anchor light, a top of the mast light.

 

[Althepal78]

That other switch bank is an amazon switch bank, they are not water proof even if they say they are. It will work fine for a few days/weeks then nothing lights s will die and switches will not work etc.

If you want new switches, go to https://newwiremarine.com they will also make up custom switch covers with custom names etc.

As far as your stern light, that should be part of the navigation lights, do any of them work? Are they part of the switch bank?

If your navigation lights have two settings one is for the nav lights (including the stern light) and the other is for the anchor light, a top of the mast light.

My nav lights in the bow work just fine but the stern lights don't seem to be getting any power when I turne them on. I looked at the switch and it seems that it is in the switch but it is not powering the wire. I don't know if there is a break in this wire. Technically, I don't need the stern light becaues I have flash lights just in case but it is weird I don't have it working at all. I am not trying to mess with it again today because it seems like it will rain again so waiting for better weather. We just got through a hurricane

 

[Althepal78]

I think i have to figure out the amount of terminals I have on the switch. I wish it would be easier then this, this site is expensive damn this boat life lol

 

[Skybolt]

My nav lights in the bow work just fine but the stern lights don't seem to be getting any power when I turne them on. I looked at the switch and it seems that it is in the switch but it is not powering the wire. I don't know if there is a break in this wire. Technically, I don't need the stern light becaues I have flash lights just in case but it is weird I don't have it working at all. I am not trying to mess with it again today because it seems like it will rain again so waiting for better weather. We just got through a hurricane

So your stern light is supposed to be connected to the running lights (red/green), when they are on so should the stern light be. The anchor light is independent of the nav lights. But usually on the same switch.

New Wire marine is pretty fairly priced comparatively. They are quite popular for boat switches.

Post a picture of the back of the switch and the wires, maybe we can figure this out. Usually the bottom on the switch is where the output would be and the middle is the power. If it is an up and down switch, middle being off, then that is more complicated and a picture is needed.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Use your multimeter to see if you have power leaving the switch. There's no issue with supply voltage at the switch. If you have no power leaving the switch then replace the swtich.

If you do have power leaving the switch, use your multimeter to check for power at the light base -- maybe you didn't check properly?

You already know that the wire going to the light base is either grey or grey w/white (I always forget which) because you replaced the light base. So that means you know what wire to check for output voltage at the switch.

When you replaced the fuse... was it blown? Did you check it?

In the end, this is a small boat with very little wiring - it will be easy to figure out.

 

[Skybolt]

... Technically, I don't need the stern light becaues I have flash lights just in case but it is weird I don't have it working at all....

Actually you do need stern lights it is part of the USCG regulations. They are not for you see with, but for others to see you with and be able to tell the basic size boat you have.

This may help clear up the regulation thing: https://www.uscgboating.org/images/420.PDF

 

[quality time]

Blue Sea has premade switch panels that might work.

 

[Althepal78]

I think I have a up down switch but don't make any sense because I don't have an achor light I don't think lol Let me know if you need another pic

Actually you do need stern lights it is part of the USCG regulations. They are not for you see with, but for others to see you with and be able to tell the basic size boat you have.

This may help clear up the regulation thing: https://www.uscgboating.org/images/420.PDF

no I am saying I have a light that I can use on the stern of my boat to suppliment that

 

[Althepal78]

Blue Sea has premade switch panels that might work.

I have to figure out why it i snot receiving power and I thought I sent that image last night

 

[Lazy Daze]

Al, you are still mistaken on the flashlight thing. That does not satisfy the law. At some point, it would probably be good to take a safe boating course - they'll review this in the course. In some states, it's required.

"I think I have a up down switch but don't make any sense because I don't have an achor light I don't think lol"

I'm not sure what you're saying. This doesn't make sense. You do, in fact, have an anchor light. You just haven't gotten it working, yet.

 

[Althepal78]

Al, you are still mistaken on the flashlight thing. That does not satisfy the law. At some point, it would probably be good to take a safe boating course - they'll review this in the course. In some states, it's required.

"I think I have a up down switch but don't make any sense because I don't have an achor light I don't think lol"

I'm not sure what you're saying. This doesn't make sense. You do, in fact, have an anchor light. You just haven't gotten it working, yet.

I actually did take the course and I don't go out at night but I wanted to make sure I fix that

 

[Lazy Daze]

I actually did take the course and I don't go out at night but I wanted to make sure I fix that

Go back and review your notes Unless Florida is more liberal with their rules than I thought........

 

[Althepal78]

Go back and review your notes Unless Florida is more liberal with their rules than I thought........

It says you only need it for night time and for hazy times when you can't see, It doesn't say you can't substitute lol but I need to fix it anyways for myself I am lookin for the proper panel for myself

 

[Lazy Daze]

It says you only need it for night time and for hazy times when you can't see, It doesn't say you can't substitute lol but I need to fix it anyways for myself I am lookin for the proper panel for myself

It doesn't say you CAN substitute it. If you read further, it says to look at the USCG reg's for further info. A flashlight is not acceptable for your boat.

But, follow the advice above and you'll be able to diagnose the problem.

 

[Althepal78]

It doesn't say you CAN substitute it. If you read further, it says to look at the USCG reg's for further info. A flashlight is not acceptable for your boat.

I was just reading it I must of saw the one with the sail boat and row boat LOL my boat is only 18 feet didn't know it said under 33 feet had to have that one in the rear

 

[Scott215]

Please do yourself a favor and find your red and green lights on the bow of the boat and make sure that those are working properly then simply trace the wire back look for power at the switch and check for power at the socket

 

[Skybolt]

I think I have a up down switch but don't make any sense because I don't have an achor light I don't think lol Let me know if you need another pic

no I am saying I have a light that I can use on the stern of my boat to suppliment that

Can't, please read through my reg link, unless it is 2nm distance viewing and has to be permanently mounted. If you get boarded by a coasty you will get a sizable fine for that.

 

[Althepal78]

Please do yourself a favor and find your red and green lights on the bow of the boat and make sure that those are working properly then simply trace the wire back look for power at the switch and check for power at the socket

those are working just stern n okay

 

[Scott215]

When you check the socket with the test light are you getting power anywhere to it or did you check the wires to the socket to see if they have any power