Instrument panel lighting question

[Dave M.]

I was checking the wiring in the switch panel of my 270 this evening, to finish documenting the wiring of it. I had a problem with a multiple spade lug adapter that was plugged on the back of the Nav/Anchor light switch. The multiple adapter allows the intrument lighting to be fed from the Nav position of the switch. After fussing with the adapter for a few minutes, I realized that there was a spare open terminal on the switch where the instrument lighting connection could be made. Using that connection would mean the adapter was not required. So I moved the connector there, and it looks like it really belongs that way, not with that adapter hanging off the back of the switch.

However, I don't know if someone changed mine, or if the way it was is the factory default. Here is what the difference is.

With the adapter used, the lighting comes from the Nav postion of the switch, so the intruments are only lit when the boat is presumably under way. When in the Anchor position, they are not lit, and so they are not draining the battery. This seems like the logical wiring to me, but it is not tidy.

With the connector moved to the avilable position and the adapter removed, the instrument lighting works in both the Anchor and Nav positions. In this case, you have to turn the instrument lighting off with the dimmer switch if you don't want the gauges illuminated when at anchor with the anchor light on.

So; how is it really supposed to be?

 

[penbroke]

I don't like the multiple connection adapters either but I expect that is the way is was originally set up. No sense in lighting the instruments when you are at anchor. Even dimmed they may use some power.

My '86 250DA has a separate switch for the instrument lights as original equipment. It is nice to be able to leave them off when running at night and just turn them on when I want to check something.


Frank

 

[Dave M.]

I don't like the multiple connection adapters either but I expect that is the way is was originally set up. No sense in lighting the instruments when you are at anchor. Even dimmed they may use some power.

My '86 250DA has a separate switch for the instrument lights as original equipment. It is nice to be able to leave them off when running at night and just turn them on when I want to check something.
Frank

Frank, the dimmer knob on mine will take the lighting all the way to dark, so I can use it much like a switch to turn off the lights. I have not measured that the current draw goes all the way to zero though. I suppose I should check that out.

One could make some arguments that it might be nice to have a bit of lighting on something like the compass or the depth sounder, or switch label lighting, while not running. Not very strong arguments though, from what I have thought about so far.

I think I need to check the current drain with them set all the way dim. If it is near zero, then I see no reason to not just turn them off if not needed, but have the ability to turn up lighting to check something out.

This thread belongs in the electrical section.

Dave