compass wiring

mariog

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On my beneteau I have 2 sets of running lights one at the masthead and another pair at deck level. The light of the compass is connected only to the deck nav lights which I use when on motor, When sailing I use only the masthead nav lights and so the compass light is off. Can somebody supply me with info how I can rewire the compass light so that it is on as well when I change to masthead nav lights.
thanks mario
 

Ships_Cat

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I wired our compass light to the instrument breaker on the DC board - on basis that when we wanted compass lit would probably want the instruments functioning as well. I mounted a waterproof switch on the side of the compass so that I can have the instruments functioning but the compass unlit eg whilst at anchor.

John
 

ShipsWoofy

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ditto

Mine has no relation to nav lights and has it's own switch and fuse.

Remember when re-wiring the light to keep the twist in the feed wire to the bulb, this is important as it cancels any magnetic fields created by having two parallel wires running up the back of the compass.

The theory is far too painful for this time of day /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 

Mirelle

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Agreed, put a separate switch in and this is the one place where you use small gauge wire cos it twists round itself nicely!
 

halcyon

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On the Westerly panels we did in the 80's, we fitted a diode to the upper nav lights and the lower nav lights, the cathodes were then connected together. This supply was then used to supply nav euipment lights and compass light when ever nav lights were on, but not anchor light.
Diodes were 1N5401, about 5p each.
Brian
 

snowleopard

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ditto. I have two sets of nav lights and wired the compass light off both circuits using a pair of diodes. I soldered the connections then enlosed them in heat-shrink tubing. The cheapest diodes are capable of handling up to an amp which is more than enough for a little compass light. LEDs also make good compass lights - just wire a 1K resistor in series with them.
 
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