I was on the water the other day with the courtesy lights on as well as the running lights. All of the sudden, the interior lights flickered then shut off as well as the running lights. I checked all the fuses and none were blown and the panel itself still shows power when you flip the individual switch, but the items themselves are not turning on. I checked the archives but didn't find much to help me out. Any suggestions?
Electrical woes
- Thread starter HattieCreef
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You have a failed connection in the wiring.
The only thing you can do to locate this is to start at the fuse with a volt meter and work your way through the circuit until you find it. It may be in the supply wire or in the ground wire. Somewhere a connection failed.
The only thing you can do to locate this is to start at the fuse with a volt meter and work your way through the circuit until you find it. It may be in the supply wire or in the ground wire. Somewhere a connection failed.
I would suggest
using a test light hooked first to the positive terminal of the battery to check the ground side of the circuits, since multiple circuits are involved, then check with the light hooked to the negative side to check the power side. I recommend a test light since a connection can be corroded to the point where very little current will flow but 12 volts will show on the meter, the brightness of the bulb gives a good indication of voltage, a test light is easier to use in cramped quarters, and is a lot faster. If you probe the wires through the insulation make sure you seal the hole to prevent corrosion. tape all but the tip of the probe to avoide shorting out wiring in the vicinity. Good luck, Tim
using a test light hooked first to the positive terminal of the battery to check the ground side of the circuits, since multiple circuits are involved, then check with the light hooked to the negative side to check the power side. I recommend a test light since a connection can be corroded to the point where very little current will flow but 12 volts will show on the meter, the brightness of the bulb gives a good indication of voltage, a test light is easier to use in cramped quarters, and is a lot faster. If you probe the wires through the insulation make sure you seal the hole to prevent corrosion. tape all but the tip of the probe to avoide shorting out wiring in the vicinity. Good luck, Tim
Due to the multiple failures check your ground
connector. Corrosion of electrical connectors is indeed a problem in boats. An old salt I knew used to say "if lamp fails spit on the connectors and that will get it back on".
connector. Corrosion of electrical connectors is indeed a problem in boats. An old salt I knew used to say "if lamp fails spit on the connectors and that will get it back on".
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