Nav light wiring

[degas]

Can I combine navigation lights on a single breaker?

On my 12VDC panel I currently have a few of the breakers dedicated to navigation lights:

1. Sternlight: White light, stern, facing aft
2. Masthead light: White light, halfway up the mast, facing forward
3. All-round light: 360 degree white light, top of mast
4. Sidelights: Red light and green light, bow, facing port and starboard

Transport Canadia says that I must use these lights in these ways:

• Power: Masthead light, sternlight, and sidelights
• Sail: Sternlight and sidelights
• Anchor: All-round light

Considering that the sternlight and sidelights are only ever used together, why not save a breaker by merging these 2 circuits? The new setup would need only 3 breakers:

1. Sternlight & sidelights
2. Masthead light
3. All-round light
4. Free breaker ready for a new adventure

Successes? Horror stories?

 

[dmax]

Most boats combine the stern and side lights onto one breaker as they're never needed independently, so go for it.

 

[dLj]

That's how my boat and all others I've ever owned were wired. As in stern, port and starboard on one breaker...

dj

 

[kappykaplan]

Most boats combine the stern and side lights onto one breaker as they're never needed independently, so go for it.

That's how my boat and all others I've ever owned were wired. As in stern, port and starboard on one breaker...

 

[Stu Jackson]

1. Masthead light: White light, halfway up the mast, facing forward
2. All-round light: 360 degree white light, top of mast

Masthead is also usually called steaming light.
All-round is also usually called anchor light.