Identifying Switch Types on Older Boats
Posted: Sun May 03, 2020 10:14 am
This article illustrates three types of electrical control switches used on boats, and in particular as used on Boston Whaler boats.
Usually Boston Whaler uses pull switches made by Cole-Hersee with a round brass knob. On newer (say made after c.2000) boats, Boston Whaler uses a black rectangular rocker switches made by CARLING and sold under the trade name CONTURA.
Fig. 1. A Cole-Hersee pull switch model M532, often used to control navigation lighting on classic-era Boston Whaler boats.
A electrical switch described as a "toggle switch" generally refers to a switch that has a movable handle and detents in two positions or sometimes three-positions. Toggle switches are not generally used on Boston Whaler boats, except on the sub-panel that controls the operation of the cockpit sump (the so-called bilge) pump. If a toggle switch is used, the handle or lever is usually covered by a flexible rubber jacket that is adhered to a nut that threads onto the switch mounting stem.
Usually Boston Whaler uses pull switches made by Cole-Hersee with a round brass knob. On newer (say made after c.2000) boats, Boston Whaler uses a black rectangular rocker switches made by CARLING and sold under the trade name CONTURA.
Fig. 1. A Cole-Hersee pull switch model M532, often used to control navigation lighting on classic-era Boston Whaler boats.
- Fig. 2. A Carling CONTURA rocker switch, often used to control electrical circuits on newer Boston Whaler boat and generally mounted by a snap-in-place mounting into rectangular holes of precise size cut carefully into the panel.
- carlingConturaSwitch.png (19.91 KiB) Viewed 5163 times
A electrical switch described as a "toggle switch" generally refers to a switch that has a movable handle and detents in two positions or sometimes three-positions. Toggle switches are not generally used on Boston Whaler boats, except on the sub-panel that controls the operation of the cockpit sump (the so-called bilge) pump. If a toggle switch is used, the handle or lever is usually covered by a flexible rubber jacket that is adhered to a nut that threads onto the switch mounting stem.
- Fig. 3. A toggle switch with a metal lever or handle and two-positions, ON or OFF, and generally not used on Boston Whaler boats in electrical power control panels.
- toggleSwitch.png (17.17 KiB) Viewed 5176 times