Hunter Wiring Compass

[MLampner]

Got back my compass after a rebuild by Viking. They did a great job no way would you know its the same compass that came with the boat.

Now a question, as I went to wire up its lighting I came across a somewhat unusual color coding. The compass has traditional red and black leads, but the pedestal is either brown and green or red and green. I am assuming the brown wire started life as red.

If so I am guessing the green is ground and the "red" is the hot side of the circuit. I do realize as the wire is in fairly good shape there is no reason to believe its original. Thirty years on the water and I would have expected the insulation to be dried out and stiff.

Thoughts?

 

[Ed Schenck]

I have had my binnacle apart but sure do not remember the wire colors. I would just put a multi-meter to the wires. I think the wires go into a harness so you will never be able to trace them.

 

[Barnacle Bill]

Polarity is not important when you are supplying 12v juice to a 12v light bulb. It will work regardless of how you wire it up. Not true with a motor (which will run backwards if wired backwards).

 

[guidera48]

Barnacle Bill is correct. The light bulb will light up regardless of polarity. However if there is an L.E.D. instead of a bulb, it will light up one way and not the other way. Just a matter of reversing the wires if it does not light up.
Cheers

 

[MLampner]

Follow Up

Barnacle Bill is correct. The light bulb will light up regardless of polarity. However if there is an L.E.D. instead of a bulb, it will light up one way and not the other way. Just a matter of reversing the wires if it does not light up.
Cheers

Yup knew bulbs didn't care but know LED's can behave differently I know some will change color with reverse polarity others not light, just wasn't sure if some fry when reversed. Would be a shame now that you could actually read the compass to blow the new LED light if that were a real risk.

Thanks everyone.