Bow wiring problem on Legend 37.5

[davjonLegend]

What started out as a relatively easy fix (I thought) has become a mystery. The following is fairly detailed, so jump in only if you are interested in electrical wiring issues.

The bow lights on my 1993 Legend 37.5 have worked fine for several years, but did not work last weekend. The stern light is working properly. I checked the bulbs and the wiring at the bow and found nothing physically wrong. The bulbs work fine when connected directly to 12v at the battery.

Following that, here's the diagnostic steps I have taken:
1) Without the bow light bulbs in place, there is some voltage at the bow. When the bulbs are re-inserted, the voltage drops to near zero. This indicates a high resistance connection somewhere.
2) To eliminate any question about the bow light fixtures, I finally cut the wires at the bow lights and measured the voltage at the wire ends themselves. The reading was about 10.5 volts, which is weird.
3) At the main panel, I measured 12.5 volts at the running lights breaker. As mentioned earlier, the stern light (which uses the same breaker) is fine.
4) Looking at the Hunter wiring diagram (attached), they show the bow wires running from the main panel forward on the starboard side. So in the main cabin, I removed a stereo speaker on the starboard side (to look behind the speaker) and can see a white/black pair, as indicated in the wiring diagram.

Some notes about the wiring path:
5) Whereas the diagram shows the wire pair going to the stbd light and then to the port light, at the bow my wiring goes to the port side first and then to the starboard side (via the piping of the bow pulpit). That may or may not be important.
6) Looking in the anchor locker, I can see the white/black pair come out of the back wall of the locker (on the port side), then up into the bow pulpit piping (via a small L-shaped tube at the deck), and then forward to the port bow light.

Since access is very limited (I have looked at all locations that I think are accessible), I need info about the wiring path from the main panel to the bow. Did Hunter run the bow light wiring from end-to-end, or splice the ground (or plus) side wire into something additional?

If you have had experience with the wiring path for the bow lights of a Hunter Legend 37.5, please let me know your thoughts.

 

[Rick D]

Maybe I can save you some time. I chased this exact problem on my 1994 40.5. The problem, was (is) corroded non-tinned wire running through the pulpit. I was able to trace the pulpit wire to the splice in the V-berth forward where it ties into the pulpit wiring from the run to the panel. I replaced the splice there, but it was good to start with. The problem was the wire at the exit of the pulpit and all the wire to the nav lights. It was corroded under the insulation. I then was able to cut off enough wire at the exit from the pulpit where it goes to the nav lights to get some good wire, but had to replace everything up to the lights. It works but it is a temporary fix. The real fix is to remove the pulpit and replace the internal wiring with quality tinned wire. That will be a PITA but I need to get it done in the next few months. Hope this helps; PM me if not clear.

 

[davjonLegend]

Thanks for the tip. I didn't see a splice, but I can cut the wires in the anchor locker (before they enter the pulpit) and check the readings there. If that's good, then your scenario will be spot on. I'll check it next weekend.