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Post by bhyatt on Nov 15, 2011 9:35:46 GMT
Hello,
Can anyone explain why the compass light only comes on with the steaming lights and not with the sailing nav lights on a SO45ds. This setup is the same on a friends Beneteau 46. I am sure there will be an obvious explanation!
Regards,
Bob
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Post by MalcolmP on Nov 15, 2011 15:20:48 GMT
Hello, Can anyone explain why the compass light only comes on with the steaming lights and not with the sailing nav lights on a SO45ds. This setup is the same on a friends Beneteau 46. I am sure there will be an obvious explanation! Regards, Bob The OEM wiring is only on one circuit, but you can additionally wire the compass light to the nav circuit if you put a diode in the line to block the power returning to the other circuit |
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Post by bhyatt on Nov 15, 2011 22:11:28 GMT
Thank you very much for the prompt reply...........makes perfect sense............can't understand why this is not a standard item but there you go.........
Thanks again
Bob
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Post by bhyatt on Nov 16, 2011 9:17:41 GMT
Do I need to put a diode in both circuits to prevent back feeding depending upon which circuit is turned on?
Regards,
Bob
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Post by MalcolmP on Nov 16, 2011 9:37:48 GMT
Do I need to put a diode in both circuits to prevent back feeding depending upon which circuit is turned on? Regards, Bob I am sure others taht are more technical proficient may confirm, but that sounds right. I did this fix on my 34.2 a few years ago with advice from a marine electrician so the details are now a bit vague in my memory - but it worked perfectly for both circuits. Malcolm |
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Post by bhyatt on Nov 17, 2011 9:03:59 GMT
Malcolm thanks for your help....much appreciated.
Regards,
Bob
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Post by tedp on Nov 17, 2011 14:38:52 GMT
Yes, you need a diode in both circuits. The diodes need to be dimensioned to the amount of power drawn by the compass light. I would measure the amps drawn by the light before fitting diodes. As it isn't a big light I expect you don't need very big diodes. Probably two 1 amp, 50 volt diodes will do the trick. Connect one diode to each navigation light circuit and connect the ends of the two together, then connect the compass light feed line to the connection. Make sure about the orientation of the diodes.
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Post by mkremedy on Nov 22, 2011 3:15:31 GMT
Bob,
I cannot help you with how to re-wire your boat, I can only tell you that on my 2007 36i, the compass light comes on when the navigation lights come on. Occationally I have a problem with my mast lights not working properly. So what I do is clean the connectors in the mast that go to the steam light, the achor light and the foredeck light. So you may just find that you might have connectors that need to be cleaned in order to solve your problem. Good luck.
Happy Sailing,
MKREMEDY
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