Where to get info on boat wiring
 

Anyone out there know how to get a wiring digram for a pro-line boat? I
have a problem with my lights, they don't work. I have checked the
fuses, grounding terminal etc. but can't seem to find out why none of
the lights work. I have a hull number if it might help (PLC00166D686).
If anyone could help I would be most appreciative.
Thanks

Where to get info on boat wiring
 

The best chance of finding a wiring diagram is from Proline. It could also
be that there are none available. What kind of lights are we talking about?
Are they all turned on and off with the same switch? When was the last time
at least some of those lights were working?

wrote in message
ups.com...
Anyone out there know how to get a wiring digram for a pro-line boat? I
have a problem with my lights, they don't work. I have checked the
fuses, grounding terminal etc. but can't seem to find out why none of
the lights work. I have a hull number if it might help (PLC00166D686).
If anyone could help I would be most appreciative.
Thanks

Where to get info on boat wiring
 

Jim,
I bought the boat without the lights working. I have the anchor light,
the bow lights, and two foot lights on the center console. There is a
switch for the lights on the center console and a three-way switch for
the bow lights and anchor light. I have tested the switches and have
power coming from the other side of the switch when I turn it on but
when I check the lights themselves I have no power. The wiring runs
throughout the hull with limited access. Any suggestions on where to
look for maybe a broke wire or something?
Thanks for your response and looking forward to hearing back from ya

Jim wrote:
The best chance of finding a wiring diagram is from Proline. It could also
be that there are none available. What kind of lights are we talking about?
Are they all turned on and off with the same switch? When was the last time
at least some of those lights were working?

wrote in message
ups.com...
Anyone out there know how to get a wiring digram for a pro-line boat? I
have a problem with my lights, they don't work. I have checked the
fuses, grounding terminal etc. but can't seem to find out why none of
the lights work. I have a hull number if it might help (PLC00166D686).
If anyone could help I would be most appreciative.
Thanks

Where to get info on boat wiring
 

I'm thinking you will not find a diagram specific to your boat.

Check at the lights to see if the 12 volts is making it there. Do not
assume that the ground at the lights is good. Instead check for 12
volts between the hot lead to each light and a known good ground such
as the negative terminal of the battery. You could also do a
resistance check between that known good ground and the ground lead at
the light. If you have 12v leaving the switch then either it is not
making it to the lights or the ground at the lights is bad. You
probably will have to puzzle out where the wires run yourself. The
good news is that most wire hidden in the structure of the boat really
seldom goes bad. The problems are usually at the ends. Grounds are
often overlooked and can be the problem. Boats being mostly plastic
have to have as many ground wires as they do power wires. Unlike cars
where any metal part is usually a good ground.


wrote:
Jim,
I bought the boat without the lights working. I have the anchor light,
the bow lights, and two foot lights on the center console. There is a
switch for the lights on the center console and a three-way switch for
the bow lights and anchor light. I have tested the switches and have
power coming from the other side of the switch when I turn it on but
when I check the lights themselves I have no power. The wiring runs
throughout the hull with limited access. Any suggestions on where to
look for maybe a broke wire or something?
Thanks for your response and looking forward to hearing back from ya

Jim wrote:
The best chance of finding a wiring diagram is from Proline. It could also
be that there are none available. What kind of lights are we talking about?
Are they all turned on and off with the same switch? When was the last time
at least some of those lights were working?

wrote in message
ups.com...
Anyone out there know how to get a wiring digram for a pro-line boat? I
have a problem with my lights, they don't work. I have checked the
fuses, grounding terminal etc. but can't seem to find out why none of
the lights work. I have a hull number if it might help (PLC00166D686).
If anyone could help I would be most appreciative.
Thanks

Where to get info on boat wiring
 

Thanks James, I'm thinking of taking a wire straight from the battery
negative terminal and hooking it up to the light and then trying it. I
guess that way I will know for sure if I'm getting a ground. Is
grounding in boats the main problem with lights? I'm sure that with
water (fresh and salt), rust etc. it might make it the main source of
my problem.

jamesgangnc wrote:
I'm thinking you will not find a diagram specific to your boat.

Check at the lights to see if the 12 volts is making it there. Do not
assume that the ground at the lights is good. Instead check for 12
volts between the hot lead to each light and a known good ground such
as the negative terminal of the battery. You could also do a
resistance check between that known good ground and the ground lead at
the light. If you have 12v leaving the switch then either it is not
making it to the lights or the ground at the lights is bad. You
probably will have to puzzle out where the wires run yourself. The
good news is that most wire hidden in the structure of the boat really
seldom goes bad. The problems are usually at the ends. Grounds are
often overlooked and can be the problem. Boats being mostly plastic
have to have as many ground wires as they do power wires. Unlike cars
where any metal part is usually a good ground.


wrote:
Jim,
I bought the boat without the lights working. I have the anchor light,
the bow lights, and two foot lights on the center console. There is a
switch for the lights on the center console and a three-way switch for
the bow lights and anchor light. I have tested the switches and have
power coming from the other side of the switch when I turn it on but
when I check the lights themselves I have no power. The wiring runs
throughout the hull with limited access. Any suggestions on where to
look for maybe a broke wire or something?
Thanks for your response and looking forward to hearing back from ya

Jim wrote:
The best chance of finding a wiring diagram is from Proline. It could also
be that there are none available. What kind of lights are we talking about?
Are they all turned on and off with the same switch? When was the last time
at least some of those lights were working?

wrote in message
ups.com...
Anyone out there know how to get a wiring digram for a pro-line boat? I
have a problem with my lights, they don't work. I have checked the
fuses, grounding terminal etc. but can't seem to find out why none of
the lights work. I have a hull number if it might help (PLC00166D686).
If anyone could help I would be most appreciative.
Thanks

Where to get info on boat wiring
 

The switches are working and you are able to get 12v to the switched side,
correct?
You might need to check each light separately, since there may be a separate
problem with each light.

Problem area 1: Most lights have some wires that come out of the
assemblies. These wires are then spliced somehow to the 12V supply. In order
to find the splice, you might need to remove the lighting fixture and pull
the wires out of the hull enough to examine the splice. Measure voltage at
the splice.

Problem area 2: The light socket might have broken wires or corroded
contacts, or broken or weak spring.

Problem area 3: The bulb itself could have a broken filament or corroded
contact.

problem area 4: Ground wires. If you cannot find 12 volts on any or all the
splices you check. Verify that you have a ground problem, before you start
tracing wires. We can discuss ground troubleshooting if you have no Joy with
the other suggestions.
Jim

I would check the footlights at the console first since they're probably the
easiest to get to.



wrote in message
oups.com...
Jim,
I bought the boat without the lights working. I have the anchor light,
the bow lights, and two foot lights on the center console. There is a
switch for the lights on the center console and a three-way switch for
the bow lights and anchor light. I have tested the switches and have
power coming from the other side of the switch when I turn it on but
when I check the lights themselves I have no power. The wiring runs
throughout the hull with limited access. Any suggestions on where to
look for maybe a broke wire or something?
Thanks for your response and looking forward to hearing back from ya

Jim wrote:
The best chance of finding a wiring diagram is from Proline. It could
also
be that there are none available. What kind of lights are we talking
about?
Are they all turned on and off with the same switch? When was the last
time
at least some of those lights were working?

wrote in message
ups.com...
Anyone out there know how to get a wiring digram for a pro-line boat? I
have a problem with my lights, they don't work. I have checked the
fuses, grounding terminal etc. but can't seem to find out why none of
the lights work. I have a hull number if it might help (PLC00166D686).
If anyone could help I would be most appreciative.
Thanks

Where to get info on boat wiring
 

Yes, I have checked the hot side of the switch to insure power then
checked the other side and it reveled power.
On the anchor light I checked to insure that I had a circuit thru the
fixture insuring that the fixture and bulb were ok. On the bow light it
was a little difficult to get to so I haven't done that one yet. On
the footlights I took one out to see if I could buy another's to
replace them but have had no luck. I think that on the footlights it
might be (area 2) the springs. I checked the bulbs and they were ok and
I had power going thru them (but I had to find another ground source to
verify. So indeed it appears that the footlight fixtures are bad but
where can I find others to fit in the existing holes? I have gone to
several boat repair shops and no one has them and my closest Pro-Line
dealer is miles away.
If you could enlighten me on some of the grounding problems it would be
great because I will not be able to work on my boat for about a week
and have no computer access where it is stored.
Thanks for the help Jim

Steve


Jim wrote:
The switches are working and you are able to get 12v to the switched side,
correct?
You might need to check each light separately, since there may be a separate
problem with each light.

Problem area 1: Most lights have some wires that come out of the
assemblies. These wires are then spliced somehow to the 12V supply. In order
to find the splice, you might need to remove the lighting fixture and pull
the wires out of the hull enough to examine the splice. Measure voltage at
the splice.

Problem area 2: The light socket might have broken wires or corroded
contacts, or broken or weak spring.

Problem area 3: The bulb itself could have a broken filament or corroded
contact.

problem area 4: Ground wires. If you cannot find 12 volts on any or all the
splices you check. Verify that you have a ground problem, before you start
tracing wires. We can discuss ground troubleshooting if you have no Joy with
the other suggestions.
Jim

I would check the footlights at the console first since they're probably the
easiest to get to.



wrote in message
oups.com...
Jim,
I bought the boat without the lights working. I have the anchor light,
the bow lights, and two foot lights on the center console. There is a
switch for the lights on the center console and a three-way switch for
the bow lights and anchor light. I have tested the switches and have
power coming from the other side of the switch when I turn it on but
when I check the lights themselves I have no power. The wiring runs
throughout the hull with limited access. Any suggestions on where to
look for maybe a broke wire or something?
Thanks for your response and looking forward to hearing back from ya

Jim wrote:
The best chance of finding a wiring diagram is from Proline. It could
also
be that there are none available. What kind of lights are we talking
about?
Are they all turned on and off with the same switch? When was the last
time
at least some of those lights were working?

wrote in message
ups.com...
Anyone out there know how to get a wiring digram for a pro-line boat? I
have a problem with my lights, they don't work. I have checked the
fuses, grounding terminal etc. but can't seem to find out why none of
the lights work. I have a hull number if it might help (PLC00166D686).
If anyone could help I would be most appreciative.
Thanks

Where to get info on boat wiring
 

For parts look at West Marine, Perko, Aquapower, Tempo, Ancor, etc.

Ground problems could include broken wire but insulation remaining intact,
bad connection between terminal and wire, bad connection between terminal
connectors, tight but corroded connection,bad splice at lamp socket.

A visual inspection doesn't always find the problem. You must use the meter
or a test light to verify a problem.

The following statement has me puzzled.

"(but I had to find another ground source to verify. So indeed it appears
that the footlight fixtures are bad"

Does that mean you got something to work by bringing a new ground to it?


wrote in message
ups.com...
Yes, I have checked the hot side of the switch to insure power then
checked the other side and it reveled power.
On the anchor light I checked to insure that I had a circuit thru the
fixture insuring that the fixture and bulb were ok.

How did you do that? did you ohm it out across the pigtail leads?
Is the anchor light working now?

Forgive me for asking these stupid questions but I need to know in great
detail, how you are coming to your conclusions. If I make a wrong
assumption, I'll be leading you down the wrong path and wasting a lot of
time.


On the bow light it
was a little difficult to get to so I haven't done that one yet. On
the footlights I took one out to see if I could buy another's to
replace them but have had no luck. I think that on the footlights it
might be (area 2) the springs. I checked the bulbs and they were ok and
I had power going thru them (but I had to find another ground source to
verify. So indeed it appears that the footlight fixtures are bad but
where can I find others to fit in the existing holes? I have gone to
several boat repair shops and no one has them and my closest Pro-Line
dealer is miles away.
If you could enlighten me on some of the grounding problems it would be
great because I will not be able to work on my boat for about a week
and have no computer access where it is stored.
Thanks for the help Jim

Steve


Jim wrote:
The switches are working and you are able to get 12v to the switched
side,
correct?
You might need to check each light separately, since there may be a
separate
problem with each light.

Problem area 1: Most lights have some wires that come out of the
assemblies. These wires are then spliced somehow to the 12V supply. In
order
to find the splice, you might need to remove the lighting fixture and
pull
the wires out of the hull enough to examine the splice. Measure voltage
at
the splice.

Problem area 2: The light socket might have broken wires or corroded
contacts, or broken or weak spring.

Problem area 3: The bulb itself could have a broken filament or corroded
contact.

problem area 4: Ground wires. If you cannot find 12 volts on any or all
the
splices you check. Verify that you have a ground problem, before you
start
tracing wires. We can discuss ground troubleshooting if you have no Joy
with
the other suggestions.
Jim

I would check the footlights at the console first since they're probably
the
easiest to get to.



wrote in message
oups.com...
Jim,

Where to get info on boat wiring
 

Jim wrote:
For parts look at West Marine, Perko, Aquapower, Tempo, Ancor, etc.

Ground problems could include broken wire but insulation remaining intact,
bad connection between terminal and wire, bad connection between terminal
connectors, tight but corroded connection,bad splice at lamp socket.

A visual inspection doesn't always find the problem. You must use the meter
or a test light to verify a problem.

The following statement has me puzzled.

"(but I had to find another ground source to verify. So indeed it appears
that the footlight fixtures are bad"

Does that mean you got something to work by bringing a new ground to it?

Yes.

wrote in message
ups.com...
Yes, I have checked the hot side of the switch to insure power then
checked the other side and it reveled power.
On the anchor light I checked to insure that I had a circuit thru the
fixture insuring that the fixture and bulb were ok.

How did you do that? did you ohm it out across the pigtail leads?
Is the anchor light working now?

Forgive me for asking these stupid questions but I need to know in great
detail, how you are coming to your conclusions. If I make a wrong
assumption, I'll be leading you down the wrong path and wasting a lot of
time.

Yes, I ohm it across the leads and the only way that I could get it to work was to take it straight to the battery (both hot and ground).
Don't worry about wasting time, I have more time then I do money
that's why I appreciate all your help.

On the bow light it
was a little difficult to get to so I haven't done that one yet. On
the footlights I took one out to see if I could buy another's to
replace them but have had no luck. I think that on the footlights it
might be (area 2) the springs. I checked the bulbs and they were ok and
I had power going thru them (but I had to find another ground source to
verify. So indeed it appears that the footlight fixtures are bad but
where can I find others to fit in the existing holes? I have gone to
several boat repair shops and no one has them and my closest Pro-Line
dealer is miles away.
If you could enlighten me on some of the grounding problems it would be
great because I will not be able to work on my boat for about a week
and have no computer access where it is stored.
Thanks for the help Jim

Steve


Jim wrote:
The switches are working and you are able to get 12v to the switched
side,
correct?
You might need to check each light separately, since there may be a
separate
problem with each light.

Problem area 1: Most lights have some wires that come out of the
assemblies. These wires are then spliced somehow to the 12V supply. In
order
to find the splice, you might need to remove the lighting fixture and
pull
the wires out of the hull enough to examine the splice. Measure voltage
at
the splice.

Problem area 2: The light socket might have broken wires or corroded
contacts, or broken or weak spring.

Problem area 3: The bulb itself could have a broken filament or corroded
contact.

problem area 4: Ground wires. If you cannot find 12 volts on any or all
the
splices you check. Verify that you have a ground problem, before you
start
tracing wires. We can discuss ground troubleshooting if you have no Joy
with
the other suggestions.
Jim

I would check the footlights at the console first since they're probably
the
easiest to get to.



wrote in message
oups.com...
Jim,

Where to get info on boat wiring
 

Looks like you have some wire tracing to do.
If that's impossible, you can always run new wires. Hot wires go back to the
respective switches. Grounds go back to a ground block or stud under the
dash. You should see a common point with many black wires attached to it.

wrote in message
oups.com...


Jim wrote:
For parts look at West Marine, Perko, Aquapower, Tempo, Ancor, etc.

Ground problems could include broken wire but insulation remaining
intact,
bad connection between terminal and wire, bad connection between terminal
connectors, tight but corroded connection,bad splice at lamp socket.

A visual inspection doesn't always find the problem. You must use the
meter
or a test light to verify a problem.

The following statement has me puzzled.

"(but I had to find another ground source to verify. So indeed it appears
that the footlight fixtures are bad"

Does that mean you got something to work by bringing a new ground to it?

Yes.

wrote in message
ups.com...
Yes, I have checked the hot side of the switch to insure power then
checked the other side and it reveled power.
On the anchor light I checked to insure that I had a circuit thru the
fixture insuring that the fixture and bulb were ok.

How did you do that? did you ohm it out across the pigtail leads?
Is the anchor light working now?

Forgive me for asking these stupid questions but I need to know in great
detail, how you are coming to your conclusions. If I make a wrong
assumption, I'll be leading you down the wrong path and wasting a lot of
time.

Yes, I ohm it across the leads and the only way that I could get it to
work was to take it straight to the battery (both hot and ground).
Don't worry about wasting time, I have more time then I do money
that's why I appreciate all your help.

On the bow light it
was a little difficult to get to so I haven't done that one yet. On
the footlights I took one out to see if I could buy another's to
replace them but have had no luck. I think that on the footlights it
might be (area 2) the springs. I checked the bulbs and they were ok and
I had power going thru them (but I had to find another ground source to
verify. So indeed it appears that the footlight fixtures are bad but
where can I find others to fit in the existing holes? I have gone to
several boat repair shops and no one has them and my closest Pro-Line
dealer is miles away.
If you could enlighten me on some of the grounding problems it would be
great because I will not be able to work on my boat for about a week
and have no computer access where it is stored.
Thanks for the help Jim

Steve