Catalina 25 electric

[lsavocchi]

I have a 1985 catalina 25 fixed keel. It’s my first summer with it in the water and first summer sailing my own boat. Im having an issue with the electric. My anchor light, bow light and outlets in the cabin don’t work. Everything else works so I’m wondering if the 2 lights are out and need to be replaced or it’s an issue with the electrical.

I appreciate any thoughts or ideas.

 

[Davidasailor26]

It could be any number of things really. You’ll probably need to start with a multimeter to see if you’re getting voltage to the light fixtures. That should help narrow that problem down to the bulb or something else in the circuit. If it’s the circuit you can try to trace back from there looking for bad connections or blown fuses.

Are the outlets 120V or 12V? If 120V they’re largely separated from the 12V circuit powering the lights, so a different problem entirely.

 

[lsavocchi]

It could be any number of things really. You’ll probably need to start with a multimeter to see if you’re getting voltage to the light fixtures. That should help narrow that problem down to the bulb or something else in the circuit. If it’s the circuit you can try to trace back from there looking for bad connections or blown fuses.

Are the outlets 120V or 12V? If 120V they’re largely separated from the 12V circuit powering the lights, so a different problem entirely.

 

[Benny17441]

The outlets in the cabin are likely 120V and you need to be connected to shore power for them to work. The anchor light and bow light need to be diagnosed, check the fuse and check the voltage at the switch. Then move to the bow light and check the bulb, the bulb socket and once again voltage at the bulb socket. Make sure the bulb socket is clean and free of corrosion and that the bulb sits tight. Once you get the bow light to work it may just be a repeat for the anchor light 20' to 25' off the deck. Corrosion on the light bulb fixtures, poor connections and shorted wiring are the common causes. apply some dielectric grease to the contacts and connections.

 

[lsavocchi]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help. I’m going to check it out this weekend and see what I can do

 

[Stu Jackson]

If you haven't yet, you need to get to know these skippers, too:

Association Forum - Catalina 25 Specific Forum

 

[Project_Mayhem]

The switches on some or all 22's are in a terrible location because they are prone to getting hit by feet as you walk down the steps. They are also the only mechanical device in this circuit. Check for voltage at the socket as someone mentioned. If there is none, take the screws out of the switch panel to access the backside. You should find two wires connected to the switch of the circuit that's giving you issues. Connect the two wires/terminals together with a metal object such as a screwdriver and have someone check to see if the lights turn on. If you're working solo you can put both wires on the same terminal and then check the lights