Matching pairs0.

[woodster]

I'll try pulling the black wires at the panel again, only 20 left I haven't tried.

i was lucky when doing mine i just tore every wire (which was crap from the old days) s2 and put in and run all new duplex to everything i was installing ...you could just as suggested pull a complete new duplex up to the deck connection ...but that would give you more crappy spares that i know you don't want....whats a mother to do.....

 

[All U Get]

Just finished another column, no luck other than having cabin lights go off and on. Don't like my fingers in a hot panel even if it's only DC.

All U Get

 

[dlochner]

Well, one thing for certain, it will be the last one you check.

 

[All U Get]

Not so lucky I guess. After two days behind the panel, I removed 33 screws and didn't find the one for the anchor light. I'll run a new wire.

All U Get

 

[woodster]

this is a cliff hanger ...if you stumble on the black wire connection ...plz..plz...plz...tell us where it is found

 

[All U Get]

Got a snake and wire, tomorrow I'm back on the boat.

All U Get

 

[GGordonWoody]

Hey All U Get, I think you're on the right track. These are LED lights, so resistive measurements probably won't work. I think the LEDs are arranged to drop 12v in each direction (one way for white, one way for multi), but only if provided with enough current (25W?, ~2A). Instead, when you open the circuit they will hold a charge on the wires (the wires will charge up like capacitors). You might buy (or borrow) a cheap ($36) DC clamp meter. With regard to our forum rules... This is a link to a product for sale to perhaps solve a problem for a fellow member and not an advertisement or endorsement of a product for sale. In fact, I would recommend buying something much better - lol! (https://www.amazon.com/Uni-T-UT210E...=1469573680&sr=8-1&keywords=dc+clamp+on+meter) . Leave it all connected, energize the light, and then look for about 2A (or so) on a (suitably suspect) black wire. Actually, measure the red wire first, then look for around that same current on one of the black wires.
EDIT:
1. Ignore the polarity of the meter readings (you may not be holding the meter the same way on different measurements).
2. LEDs are non-linear devices, so resistance AND voltage measurements won't be like measuring through a purely resistive bulb.
Hope this helps.
EDIT:
3. Ok, the DC clamp meters use a hall-effect sensor. Problem with these meters is zero drift, so you have to first clamp around a wire with no current flow, then zero the meter. After that you should be good-to-go. Good luck.

 

[GGordonWoody]

Don't like my fingers in a hot panel even if it's only DC.

Concur. The 12VDC is completely safe to touch, but you do risk shorting something with a tool. And then the smoke gets out.

 

[woodster]

don't wear a ring in there

 

[All U Get]

All new black wire (return) from the mast to panel. New two pole switch. Works but here's why I need to kick myself. The buss bar at the mast for all the wired pairs to meet had three black (ground) wires. I didn't notice they were bonded together. Three wires carrying ground to the panel together. No wonder I couldn't find the mate disconnecting one at a time. Once I isolated the wire from the bar, it worked fine. Yep, I'm a dumb a$$.
(Wife just said I'm too modest)

All U Get

 

[woodster]

is there any danger of that black wire sharing its purpose with something else like a branch of some sort

 

[woodster]

couldn't help my self...... smoke eater

 

[Chevy1217]

Looks like mine have fun

 

[GGordonWoody]

Yaar, an extra ration of rum for the Woodster!
(Sorry, just tryin' out my new avatar. It was either the pirate or my old SAC B52H Defensive Fire Control patch. Ha! What a great patch. The crow represented the ECM (electronic counter measures), and the tiger (tail) represented the pilots. Hey, any former SAC trained killers out there?)

 

[All U Get]

couldn't help my self...... smoke eater

So why combine three wires to return to the panel. Now I only have two.

All U Get

 

[woodster]

So why combine three wires to return to the panel. Now I only have two.

All U Get

to me that would be basakwards..... should have combined three wires to the buss and one wire back to the panel that would be called a secondary grounding bus but if that were the case it would have been useless in your application either way

 

[dlochner]

So why combine three wires to return to the panel. Now I only have two.

All U Get

Reduces line loss. If one wire is used for all three loads the amount of current of all three devices may cause excessive voltage drop. With 3 wires the current drop will be less.

Forget the exact formula, but resistance is reduced when current is passed through parallel circuits.

 

[dlochner]

to me that would be basakwards..... should have combined three wires to the buss and one wire back to the panel that would be called a secondary grounding bus but if that were the case it would have been useless in your application either way

That would work, however the single return wire would need to be sized large enough to carry the current of all three loads while minimizing voltage drop due to wire size being too small

 

[Ron20324]

[QUOTE="... any former SAC trained killers out there?...QUOTE]

Nope, no training for me. It just comes natural. Why, just tonight I killed a bottle of wine

 

[GGordonWoody]

Forget the exact formula, but resistance is reduced when current is passed through parallel circuits

Rtotal = 1/(1/R1+1/R2+1/R3)
That is one big-boy boat, so I'm guessing there must be more up there than just light bulbs. Radar? Weather station? Restaurant?