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Author	Topic:   Navigation Lamp Wiring
blacklab	posted 06-02-2010 10:49 PM ET (US)         I have installed new wire under the rub rail to the [combined sidelight navigation lamp], and [I] am trying to clean up the wiring. The light works off an Ancor SPST lighted switch just fine as shown on [some] diagram, but I'm trying to minimize the connections to the battery positive. Should I run yet another set of wires from each individual load through my tunnel to the console positive buss to accomodate the [combined sidelights lamp], stern light, and bilge pump [loads]? Or should I just add a positive [bus] bar on the port aft? Thanks in advance for your suggestions. http://s962.photobucket.com/albums/ae109/blacklab_2010/boat/ ?action=view¤t=BOWLIGHTWIRING.jpg
jimh	posted 06-02-2010 11:55 PM ET (US)             Your wiring is not good. You don't have the lamps connected to the battery negative. In wiring any load on a small boat electrical distribution panel, you should put the control switch in the positive feed to the load, not the negative. To do otherwise will cause increased galvanic corrosion. If you want a switch to control the circuit, you have to wire the loads to the switch, not directly to the battery.
jimh	posted 06-03-2010 09:32 AM ET (US)             Rather than reply in this thread, let me direct you to some prior articles I have written on these topics which contain my advice on these topics: For some ideas on wiring a bilge or sump pump, see: Cockpit Sump Pump http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/bilgePump.html Your goal of minimizing the number connections to the battery terminals is good. For recommendations on electrical distribution on a small boat see Boat Electrical Circuits and Wiring Practices http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/boatWiring.html
blacklab	posted 06-03-2010 03:55 PM ET (US)             Thank you for your help. I managed to figure it out. Several wires were on the wrong pins across several switches. Never trust the previous wiring job!

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