Compass light

[Tom Schaub]

I'm normally a day VFR sailor, so this may sound like a silly question: Is there a switch somewhere for the compass light? I went out at about 5 am this morning (very uncharacteristic of me) and my compass was dark. I looked all over the pedastal and on the dc panal but could not find one. All other instruments light up fine. What am I missing?

 

[Scott322]

376... There is a switch on the engine control ...

On my 376 there is a switch on the engine control panel that works when the running lights are on.Scott

 

[paul]

running lights

It comes on with the running lights, as I recall.

 

[Bob]

Burned out light bulb ...

is another possiblilty. Had to rewire mine using a red diode from Radio Shack. However, make sure to use a meter to determine if you are actually getting 12 vdc up to the compass.

 

[Jack W]

Light

Tom,while on my boat last night, I remembered your post.There is a "bulb" icon on the wind machine guage. When pushed, it turns up the light level on the guages and also turned on my compass light.Don't know if you have the same, but give it a try.

 

[Tom Schaub]

Thanks for the inputs. I'm thinking it must be a bad bulb after trying all the mentioned options. Now to figure out how to get to it...

 

[Paul]

A final thought

Now to reveal my own stupidity, lest there be any doubt, and in case it helps others avoid a similar situation. I didn't realize for a long time how faint the compass light is, and how virtually impossible it is to tell during daylight whether it's on or not. I had fussed around for a long time thinking my bulb was out, when in fact it was the sun that was out. So, do a final check at night before tearing things up, tho you're no doubt 'way ahead of me on that.