A Typical Easy Boat Job

[shemandr]

So when I uncovered my runabout, preparing it for sale, I found the bow lights not working. Then I remembered that while covering the boat in the fall I found a loose crimp on the switch (Cole Hersee 3 Position push/pull). I just cut the crimp off and bent the wire around the screw and tightened it - delaying the job for spring. So that must be the problem. Wanting to try to do things right I decided to get my crimp stuff and put a ring on the wire. So I crimped a ring on it and unscrewed the brass connection screw to put the ring on - right? As readers with experience might anticipate, I could not get the screw back in it's screw hole with the ring around it,
up under the dashboard with the sun hitting my eyes at the exact angle to be able to view the switch. So I dropped the screw five times. 4 times I could easily recover it. Number 5 - no. The screw is gone to the great beyond in the space between the floor and the hull. It will probably work it's way back to the bilge sump and foul the bilge pump float switch but that will take years. Meanwhile I have a buyer coming to look at the boat this week.
I don't really expect an answer but wanted to vent my frustration. But if anyone can tell me the specifics to buy a new screw, it would be nice. Otherwise, I'll do what I should have done, which is to remove the switch from the dashboard and re wire it in my lap . Now I'll have take it to the hardware store and hopefully not have to buy a new switch for the boat I am selling and didn't get enough money for. And that's how a simple boat job goes.

 

[jssailem]

I hate that when it happens. I always find I'm on my back working near the length of my arms. I feel your pain. I have found the screws at hardware stores. Or I have cannibalized another fitting that had extra screws not being used.

 

[All U Get]

The only thing worse than losing a screw is finding one and not knowing where it came from.

All U Get

 

[dlochner]

What's an Oxymoron? A typical easy boat job.

To narrow your choices, it is probably an 8-32" brass screw. ¼" or ⅜".
‎www.littelfuse.com/~/media/commercial-vehicle/2d-prints/switches/push-pull/littelfuse-switches-push-pull-marine-2d-prints.pdf

 

[Ron20324]

I assume that screw is a slotted head? You can buy a "screw starter" at Sears or some tool sales places. It has a middle part of the blade that IS SPRING LOADED, AND CAPTURES THE SCREW SO You can get it started. I prefer the plastic 11-inch long one. The Sears I have is 6 -inches and a metal shaft. It's a great tool for screws in switch plates at home.

 

[heritage]

I assume that screw is a slotted head? You can buy a "screw starter" at Sears or some tool sales places. It has a middle part of the blade that IS SPRING LOADED, AND CAPTURES THE SCREW SO You can get it started. I prefer the plastic 11-inch long one. The Sears I have is 6 -inches and a metal shaft. It's a great tool for screws in switch plates at home.

Another option is to take a small piece sticky clay or butyl tape and press the screw/bolt onto the screw driver or socket wrench to keep it secure.

 

[shemandr]

I really do appreciate the suggestions and supportive responses. They are all helpful. I wish I had asked first but then I didn't know I was going to get into this.

 

[LeslieTroyer]

I always look around for and empty buss bar connection and steal the screw from there - I lost one just yesterday - why o why do I alway forget to tape the screw to my Phillips screwdriver especially since I did it 4 times earlier in the day....

 

[shemandr]

Brilliant I've got a bus bar with at least four unused screws.
Why oh why? Don't ask me! I'm a 5 timer. What did Einstein say about insanity?

 

[JRT]

Yup I dropped 2 nuts twice working on the chain plates this weekend. I got lucky and found them in 41 years of dust and dirt...

My punch list seems to find new ones for each one eliminated. However this weekend I did get 3 items done so that was progress for a change. I still have no idea what is going one with 12v electrical system for 4 of the 5 cabin lights, but at least the shore power is good and the AC works!

 

[Ron20324]

..., but at least the shore power is good and the AC works!

Come on John, tell us the important stuff... does the beer stay cold?

 

[pateco]

It is the most fun when your working on the deck, and the part you drop goes overboard. Lost a part to my discontinued roller furler while trying to make a minor adjustment. It went strait to the bottom, and I had to go get my dive gear to find it. However once I found it I figured out why it fell out. It was cracked and had split in half. I had to get a replacement made at a local machine shop, But at least I had the broken part for them to copy. One project always turns into 2 or 3 more. LOL

Have Fun.

 

[JRT]

Come on John, tell us the important stuff... does the beer stay cold?

As long as you put it in front of the AC vents!

 

[davidkahn53]

Ha! No such thing as an easy boat task, in my experience. Take estimated time for task, multiply by 6, and reserve at least $200 for unscheduled trips to West Marine, to obtain realistic estimate.

 

[Skipperdan]

Better not to take the screw all the way out to begin with. Most electrical screws are made to stop before they come out. Then use a u shaped connector. That is why they are so hard to get back in. On a Buss board they come all the way out, but on most switches they are made to only come out so far.

 

[dennismenace111]

This sort of thing only happens to me between July 4th and August 31st... when its hotter than hell and the humidity hovers around 98% here in South Florida. I usually only drop the screw once or twice.. then give up...and wait for December.

 

[Sailm8]

My old autohelm st30 depth display finally burned out. Found a replacement on ebay and installed it. Doesn't work something else must be wrong. Seller won't take a return. Decided to bite the bullet and called raymarine and asked is the i70 a direct replacement or do I need a new transducer. No problem he says so I shell out 330 bucks. Open the box and it only has 3 wire hook up. Where does the transducer hook up. Call Raymarine and find out I need a special set of $100 cables and a $250 black box. Sending it back and just going to use a rock on a string. After all I only need to know if it's less than 4 feet.

 

[dlochner]

Better not to take the screw all the way out to begin with. Most electrical screws are made to stop before they come out. Then use a u shaped connector. That is why they are so hard to get back in. On a Buss board they come all the way out, but on most switches they are made to only come out so far.

Ring connections are more secure as the screw has to come out all the way. Spade connectors can come loose if the screw loosens only a little bit. Once the terminal is loose there is potential for it to short out, a potential fire hazard.

A spade terminal with a "hook" at the end of the spades is a slightly better choice than a flat spade, as the retaining screw needs to be even looser.

edit: fixed a grammar error.

 

[Ron20324]

As long as you put it in front of the AC vents!

Good idea- chill two birds with one stone.

 

[shemandr]

So I took another swing at it today after work. Tried the bus bar screw and it doesn't fit. But I did drop it three more times. I'll decided the switch had to come out. That took all of a minute. So I took the switch to the hardware store who didn't have replacement screws. While I'm looking at it I realize the posts could work with a spade terminal. So back to my basement where I modified a female spade connector. I would use the remaining screw for the ring terminal I crimped on yesterday. Soon the switch was wired and tested. But the bow lights still don't work. So I took off the light and opened the bottom. Today I have my multi tester. So I take the bulb out and test it's continuity. It's OK. I went back and turned on the switch. Back at the bow I tested the voltage across the bulb and there isn't any. I test the two wires as they enter the housing. 10 volts! Back to the basement and I get some emory paper and scratch up the bulb ends and the retainer. Put the bulb back. Go to the switch turn it on (And I can't tell if it's on except at the bow). When I get there the bulb is glowing contently. I win! Remounted the switch and collected my tools. Total time spent: 2 hours if you don't count drive time. Total cost: Virtually nothing. Lesson learned: Not very much. I guess I could have started with the bulb.