[C320-list] Anchor Nav lights out

[Scott Thompson]

When more than one circut goes out at once, look for a problem in a 
common leg -- usually the ground return.  Of course the other 
possibility is that you might just be unlucky and had two failures.

Either way, start by checking to make sure you have voltage between 
ground and the hot side of the switch for each circuit with the circuit 
off.  Should be ~12v.  Then turn the switch on and check again.  If the 
voltage stays at 12v then there is a break in the path, which could be 
the bulb, but not necessarily.  If, on the other hand, the voltage drops 
then there is current flowing and the most likely problem is a loose 
connection somewhere that is letting some power through, but not enough 
to light the bulbs.

Loose connections can be very hard to track down, and require thinking 
outside the box. I once had a bizarre situation (not on my 320) where 
the master ground connection between the panel and the battery failed, 
which produced the bizzare effect that turning on almost any light while 
the engine was off would result in (a) a dim light; and (b) the oil 
pressure alarm on the engine would go off.  The current from the light 
was finding an indirect path to ground through the common but 
disconnected ground bus, "reversing" from there through the windings of 
the bilge blower motor, to the unenergized terminal on the back of the 
ignition switch, then "forward" again to the oil alarm, to the oil 
pressure sensor, to the engine block, and from there to battery ground. 
  Good luck!

Different boats have different masthead fittings so there is no 
universal answer to your question about the LED anchor light.  I found 
one that matched my boat at Mastlight.com.

Scott Thompson
Surprise, 653

Bernie Garrett wrote:
> Hi folks,
> 
>  
> 
> Just got back from 10 days cruising round the San Juan Islands and think I
> need to change the anchor light, or maybe it's the electric circuit as the
> front red/green nav lights are out too!? The deck light works fine though so
> any thoughts where to start troubleshooting?
> 
> Also does anyone know if the West Marine LED Anchor lights fit our boats
> (mine is a 1994)?
> 
>  
> 
> Thankd and regards 
> Bernie 
> _________________________________________________ 
> Bernie Garrett, 
> 
> Antares, Hull #88 
> 
> Point Roberts, WA
> 
> 
> 
>  
> 

-- 
Scott Thompson
Surprise, #653