Boat Lights

[Brian B]

Im not sure what's going on. My lights on my boat wont work. Everything else on my control panel, like the bilge, livewell, horn, etc work just fine. My question is, why not the lights? The light on the button for the lights doesn't come on. Is there a problem with the switch? A problem between the battery and the switch? Between the switch and the lights? Im not really electrically inclined.

[Fishing Rhino]

Make a jumper wire. Take a six inch piece of wire the same gauge as the wiring for the lights. Strip a half inch of the insulation off each end, then "jump" the two wires on your light switch. If the lights come on, replace the switch.

If not, check the ground wire. It may be broken, or have a poor contact where it is grounded. It's possible, but not likely that all your running lights burned out at the same time.

What you should do is get a voltmeter. They are fairly inexpensive, but invaluable for chasing down continuity in ciruits. Also handy for checking the charge in your batteries.

A helpful hint. Always put a bit of dielectric grease on the base of the light, and in the socket. It will prevent corrosion, often the cause of failure, and ensure that the bulbs can be easily changed.

[FD.]

Check the fuse.

[GTrombly]

+1 for fishindaddy, my lights did not work last year and it was the fuse. Start the troubleshooting with the easiest thing first. If the fuse is good check the bulb...