Navigation light not working - probably shorted out - H240

[chriscampbell]

I've been troubleshooting my front nav light for a while. I replaced the bulb. No dice. Then I figured out I wasn't getting power to the fixture. I turned power on the other day to look a little closer, hoping maybe the fixture itself was corroded or a connection was broken. It was a nice quiet day, and as I got down close I could hear an intermittent hissing sound coming from inside the pulpit tube the wire runs through. I'm guessing there is a short. Without tearing out the headliner, am I out of luck? I have been using clip on kayak lights as my nav lights.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Don’t know why you would need to remove a headliner. Just fish new cable through the run while pulling old cable out.

 

[chriscampbell]

Don’t know why you would need to remove a headliner. Just fish new cable through the run while pulling old cable out.

I assumed the wiring to the light ran behind the headliner, but that's why I'm posting here. Hoping someone has more direct experience with the wiring in the H240. I haven't yet been able to figure out how to access it and I have low confidence that it will simply fish through.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

I assumed the wiring to the light ran behind the headliner, but that's why I'm posting here. Hoping someone has more direct experience with the wiring in the H240. I haven't yet been able to figure out how to access it and I have low confidence that it will simply fish through.

Sorry, can’t help other than suggest you give it a try. Nothing to lose…

 

[Davidasailor26]

Is there a breaker or fuse protecting the wire? If so that should blow if there were a short. I’d be pretty surprised if there weren’t, but you’d definitely want to add one as part of the project. You can also check the resistance from the red wire to ground. If there’s no bulb in the fixture you should have infinite resistance.

 

[chriscampbell]

Is there a breaker or fuse protecting the wire? If so that should blow if there were a short. I’d be pretty surprised if there weren’t, but you’d definitely want to add one as part of the project. You can also check the resistance from the red wire to ground. If there’s no bulb in the fixture you should have infinite resistance.

Yes, there are breakers on the panel for each switch. The same switch controls both the bow light and the stern light. The stern light works fine. I have no idea why it isn't tripping the breaker.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Look on the back of the panel and is the color coding of wires is different. Advise please

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

@chriscampbell
Go to boat information then to hunter resources/240/downloads/owners manual/ page 56A. That is the schematic for the wiring. The bow light runs through the starboard side of rail exiting the aft rail. It then runs down the starboard side toward the panel.

There is carpeting sometimes referred to as mouse fur that is glued to the hull. Then the carpeting runs under the ceiling liner just. That wire is generally just above the ceiling liner held in place by or both marine putty, 5200 or tape. Two things you will need to know. First where the wire exits the bow rail into the boat is heavily caulked. The second issue is where that wire runs behind the galley and the travels behind the bulkhead. First check the fuse and switch Then check bulb contacts.

If working , then I would cut the wire to see if you have power where it goes outside to and through the bow pulpit. A lot of times I found where the wire was cut where it went into bow pulpit mostly near the light.

Hope this helps

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

@chriscampbell

Keep us posted on what you do find. Thanks

 

[chriscampbell]

@chriscampbell

Keep us posted on what you do find. Thanks

Will do.

 

[JoeWhite]

The bow running light fixture has one wire in the starboard pulpit tube and enters the deck where it meets the deck. You can see this wire from below deck. To pull a new wire you will have to remove the bow pulpit. It is not too dificult to do. First Chek all fuses on the fuse panel and make voltage check before and after running light switch.

 

[GL-WindPower]

Have you used a 12V test light to verify you are not getting any voltage., You did not mention what kind of bulb you using, Did you upgrade to a LED? Some of those are
Polarity Sensitive (YES)
Bulbs have Plus and Minus (like batteries) and will only work when polarity is correct. If bulb does not work when installed, turn it around in the socket.

 

[chriscampbell]

Have you used a 12V test light to verify you are not getting any voltage., You did not mention what kind of bulb you using, Did you upgrade to a LED? Some of those are
Polarity Sensitive (YES)
Bulbs have Plus and Minus (like batteries) and will only work when polarity is correct. If bulb does not work when installed, turn it around in the socket.

Thanks. Yes, I’ve tested and I’m not getting power at the fixture.

 

[GL-WindPower]

you can get at the bow light wiring by removing the panel at the bow in the v-berth, see pic.

 

[chriscampbell]

you can get at the bow light wiring by removing the panel at the bow in the v-berth, see pic.View attachment 207388

That’s very helpful. Would I be able to fish new wire with that access without removing the headliner or carpet?

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I've been troubleshooting my front nav light for a while. I replaced the bulb. No dice. Then I figured out I wasn't getting power to the fixture. I turned power on the other day to look a little closer, hoping maybe the fixture itself was corroded or a connection was broken. It was a nice quiet day, and as I got down close I could hear an intermittent hissing sound coming from inside the pulpit tube the wire runs through. I'm guessing there is a short. Without tearing out the headliner, am I out of luck? I have been using clip on kayak lights as my nav lights.

Do a continuity test between the bulb terminals to verify that it's shorted. If it is, check the wiring around the entry/exit holes of the pulpit to see if the insulation is in good shape. If it's not, you might be able to repair without removing anything major. When diagnosing, check the basics and make no assumptions. This simple rule will save a lot of time, money and aggravation

 

[Boatkeep]

You could try checking with a multimeter and see if the light is getting power.

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[scottscotty]

for me, the question is more about the "hissing sound".......this is very odd as dc current burns (melts stuff) when it shorts out and the fuse does not "blow or the breaker does not trip"? no smell of plastic insulation burning? current is on the wire at the source but not at the light....but not tripping the wirings fail safe(s)? I commend you for wanting to get to the source of the problem....but a "recon" of the fuse system for that particular switch and its components is high on the priorities! ( I would hate to think what a fusing system would do to your boat if it did not kick out or blow when you're not around). I wish I could help you beyond what has been suggested. g'luck

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Verify fuse rating is appropriate for the wire size. Start with the basics. Pull the bulb/LED out when testing. Sometimes the load can throw off the readings

 

[chriscampbell]

UPDATE
Please help me solve this mystery. I made some progress. Thanks to @GL-WindPower I knew I should be able to find the bow light wire behind the v-berth panel. It was there.

It pokes straight up through the deck right where the front middle tube is for the pulpit. My suspicion was there was a problem with the wire in that tube. (see original post)

I cut the wire. When I flip on the "navigation lights" switch, the wire is hot (circled).

Perfect! My hunch was correct. I have some 16 awg marine wire and heat shrink butt splices. My plan was to pull new wire down from the fixture side using the old wire. But, the wire at the fixture appears to go UP into the pulpit and wouldn't budge. Confused, I pulled down on the wire remnant from inside and 8 inches of wire pulled straight down with clean stripped ends.

I still can't budge the wire at the fixture. I have no idea what's going on.

Ideas?