I have a Lowe aluminum SeaNymph 175 fishing boat, equipped with a pole mounted, bi-color, bow light with built in courtesy light (to illuminate the front casting deck). The light over heats and trips the circuit breaker after several minutes. The rocker switch is a three position type: Up = Navigation (bow and stern lights on), middle = Off, Down = Anchor (white stern light only). I can leave it in the Anchor position and it does not trip the circuit breaker. What should I look for? I opened up the light and the connections all seem intact. The following link is for the manufacturer's mounting instructions, but the light was installed already when I bought the boat brand new at a local marina. I assume the light base and wiring were factory installed. http://www.perko.com/instruct.php
2007-07-02 07:46:31 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Boats & Boating
Sorry - the link just goes to a search page, you then have to paste the following string into the search text box: Removable Bi-Color Pole and Utility Light
2007-07-02 07:50:27 · update #1
Looks like it's the fixture itself. I reconnected the wiring for the base (it's a removable pole light), put the light into the base, turned it on and it stayed lit for 5 minutes. As soon as I gave the fixture a little tap the circuit breaker tripped. BTW - I checked the wiring with a volt-ohm meter and it's getting 12 volts.
2007-07-03 13:14:22 · update #2
There is a short somewhere to cause the over heating. It could be in the switch, it could be in the light fixture, it could be somewhere on the way to the light. Check the wattage on the bulb to see if it is too high a wattage. The problem seems to be in the light or on the way. If a wire is getting pinched somewhere and has a connection to ground it can draw more and more current. Check the light, then follow the wires.
2007-07-02 08:30:42 · answer #1 · answered by science teacher 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well we know the anchor light is OK, as it works. So, it either the +/- wires are touching somewhere between the switch and bow light or it something in the light. May sound weird, but, try another bulb in the Bow light.
You really need an Ohm meter. Auto parts stores and Wal-Wort, places like that sell a little analog (Has a needle) Multimeter it will measure Ohms, AC/DC Voltage and maybe amps, sells for around $12 and will be very useful with your Boat and Car.
You can Ohm the +/- wires and know if they shorting.
2007-07-02 10:06:02 · answer #2 · answered by Snaglefritz 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Check your terminals again. Even when they look good they can be corroded, loosing contact and overheating. Sometimes the bulb base/socket will do the same thing. Not uncommon on a boat.
2007-07-03 02:08:19 · answer #3 · answered by Hondu 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just my two cents worth but could someone have put the wrong bulb in the light ?
2007-07-02 14:11:53 · answer #4 · answered by Grumpyoldfart 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Let's try the easy way first, replace with a new bulb.
2007-07-02 22:31:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
too much wattage...the bulb is too strong. have you accidentally connected it to 24 volts?
2007-07-03 02:56:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋