What does this switch do?

[Greengas]

Hi

I'm brand new to sailing. I just purchased a Macgregor 25. I'm attaching a picture of two switches (sorry the photo is a bit blurry). One is labeled KN and the other is labeled DS. I've hooked up a battery and when I threw the switches, first off, the boat did not blow up which made me very happy. Second, I could not see anything that was being activated by them.

I'm hoping that the abbreviations are standard for something and that the collective experience and knowledge on this site will help me figure it out.

Thanks in advance

Ronn

 

[Ron20324]

Have you tried 'knot meter' and depth sounder'?

 

[JEMILLER22]

That's my assessment too. Knot Meter and Depth Sounder. Turn 'em on and check those instruments to see if they are working! Cheers and Congrats on the new sail boat!

 

[Chris Patterson]

If it were me, I would have to gain access to the back of the panel and trace the wires. And congrats on not blowing up the boat as well..

 

[Justin_NSA]

I agree with the other guesses. Is your boat in the water and did the PO leave you the nav unit(s)?

 

[Jackdaw]

You will want to dig into that wiring job. I have a feeling that it is not up to reasonable standards.

In particular, check to make sure that the two switches are downstream from one of the fused breakers on the panel. In no case should they be wired directly to the battery.

 

[Benny17441]

For future reference, could not help to notice that your panel has the push fuse holders. I dealt with those many years ago and they were a pain. I would suggest that if you can find the caps purchase at least a couple of extra ones to have as spares. In the future you may want to replace the fuse holders with the screw on types.

 

[White Bird]

They aren't factory, so one guess is as good as another. The suggestions already posted are as good as any.

My 1979 Venture 25 by MacGregor had zip cord with push contacts laying in the bilge. Get yourself familiar with the wiring. If it has been redone in a good workmanship manner, you should be Okay. There isn't much in the way of wiring on the boat, a few lights and maybe some dealer installed accessories like radio and knot meter. It isn't rocket science, but get help if you need it. Keep everything tucked up and away from anywhere it might get wet, and be sure to use waterproofed connectors.

 

[Greengas]

You will want to dig into that wiring job. I have a feeling that it is not up to reasonable standards.

In particular, check to make sure that the two switches are downstream from one of the fused breakers on the panel. In no case should they be wired directly to the battery.

I am digging into the wiring today. The first item to check is what you recommend. Thanks.

 

[Greengas]

For future reference, could not help to notice that your panel has the push fuse holders. I dealt with those many years ago and they were a pain. I would suggest that if you can find the caps purchase at least a couple of extra ones to have as spares. In the future you may want to replace the fuse holders with the screw on types.

I am going to replace the fuse panel today. I will try to find the type you recommend.

Thanks

 

[Greengas]

They aren't factory, so one guess is as good as another. The suggestions already posted are as good as any.

My 1979 Venture 25 by MacGregor had zip cord with push contacts laying in the bilge. Get yourself familiar with the wiring. If it has been redone in a good workmanship manner, you should be Okay. There isn't much in the way of wiring on the boat, a few lights and maybe some dealer installed accessories like radio and knot meter. It isn't rocket science, but get help if you need it. Keep everything tucked up and away from anywhere it might get wet, and be sure to use waterproofed connectors.

Thanks for the advice. By the way, what is a zip cord?

 

[Greengas]

If it were me, I would have to gain access to the back of the panel and trace the wires. And congrats on not blowing up the boat as well..

I found not blowing up tge boat to be a good thing. I have access to the back of the panel so I will trace the wires and continue my voyage of discovery.

 

[Greengas]

I agree with the other guesses. Is your boat in the water and did the PO leave you the nav unit(s)?

My boat is on a trailer but we've already had it in the water twice and according to my kiddos she sails great. And yes the PO left us the Nav units. But he said in the year he owned the boat he never put a battery in it so he has no idea what works.

 

[Greengas]

Here is a photo of the back of the two NAV Units. Now, in the space under the seat in the galley (where I go to remove the bolt when I lower the keel, there are two plastic looking things that seem to go below the hull and have wires attached to them. I am guessing that these are from the two NAV units and are the sending devices that send the information back to the displays. I am putting a battery in the boat today and tomorrow I have a full day of work on the boat scheduled while my son handles the sailing (works much better that way since I am at the starting edge of learning how to sail and he seems to be pretty good at it). I will look under the boat today near the keel and see if I can see the sending units poking out.

Pictures to follow!

 

[Ron20324]

Get off the computer, man... you're burnin' daylight!

 

[Greengas]

Get off the computer, man... you're burnin' daylight!

I understand, and agree. But, tomorrow is the sailing day and today is my day to get a bunch of stuff done on the boat and so far its been pretty successful.

 

[Greengas]

Here is a photo of the back of the two NAV Units. Now, in the space under the seat in the galley (where I go to remove the bolt when I lower the keel, there are two plastic looking things that seem to go below the hull and have wires attached to them. I am guessing that these are from the two NAV units and are the sending devices that send the information back to the displays. I am putting a battery in the boat today and tomorrow I have a full day of work on the boat scheduled while my son handles the sailing (works much better that way since I am at the starting edge of learning how to sail and he seems to be pretty good at it). I will look under the boat today near the keel and see if I can see the sending units poking out.

Pictures to follow!

Well, after putting in the battery and throwing the appropriate switches, the depth finder is working. Of course I can't check out the knot meter until tomorrow but I'll keep my fingers crossed. I also replaced the fuse and what do ya know, the ancient AM/FM Cassette radio works. The volt meter also works. The deal I got for this boat seems to be getting better and better.:wow:

 

[justsomeguy]

Well, after putting in the battery and throwing the appropriate switches, the depth finder is working. Of course I can't check out the knot meter until tomorrow but I'll keep my fingers crossed. I also replaced the fuse and what do ya know, the ancient AM/FM Cassette radio works. The volt meter also works. The deal I got for this boat seems to be getting better and better.:wow:

Cool. I'll send you a couple of cassettes I mixed back in the '80s.

 

[Ron20324]

... Of course I can't check out the knot meter ...

You can spin the knotmeter's paddle wheel and someone at the meter should see a reading.

 

[Greengas]

... Of course I can't check out the knot meter ...

You can spin the knotmeter's paddle wheel and someone at the meter should see a reading.

Thanks. I'll give that a shot and see what happens. Right now, the needle just sits at about 1.5 kts, even when we are not sailing.