"SChevy" wrote in message
lkaboutboats.com...
Recently I purchased a project boat and had to rewire from bow to stern.
The only problem I ran into was the nav/anc SPDT ON/OFF/ON switch has a
wire soldered between the two load pins on top. The wiring configuration
for the switch wasn't easy to figure out had to use a continuity tester.
The switch has five pins and the top center is the + feed, the bottom two
pins which are labeled red are actually for the light in the switch
itself. The problem is the lights come on together in either on position
NAV or ANC. Through research I think the switch is missing a DIODE that
can be used instead of the soldered wire that would block the current.
The prior owner must have run into the same problem. His solution was to
solder the wire on the terminal, thereby having all lights all the time.
I need to figure out how to determine the size or type of diode to use.
Any help would be appreciated, Scott


The diode will have to pass the ANCHOR lamp current when you select NAV.
I'm guessing 10 to 20 watts for an 18 ft boat. So 1 to 2 amps.
Cheapest way to get this sort of rating is in a rectifier bridge - my
electronics catalogue lists a PO4 6 amp 400 V bridge for under $2. If you
bridge the middle of the bridge ( can't think of an easy short way to say
this) you have 2, 6 amp diodes in parallel, in a robust package. See how
warm it gets, add some heat sinking if it's burning your finger or adjacent
wiring.
David