Switching between masthead and steaming lights

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Miker

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Over the years my assortment of electrics has grown into a mass of spaghetti and I'm thinking of tidying it all up. I have a circuit for the masthead, another for lower nav/steaming and a third for lower nav only in case the masthead fails. My crew is unwilling to ascend to the top of the mast in the dark - the wimp. A complicated system of switches prevents the boat from being accidently lit up like a Christmas tree.
What I am wondering is whether I can just use three switches on a new enlarged switch panel and prevent more than one circuit being on at the same time by use of an SPNC relay and a diode. I've looked through the Maplins WEB site but am baffled by the array of mechandise. I would welcome advise on what kit I need. I think that there was some chat on this a while ago or an article in the PBO but I I'm afraid that I can't find it.
 
Fairly simple to do - use a double pole double throw switch for the nav lights (three position - centre off). wired so that the up position is the tricolour, down the lower nav lights and then feed the steaming light switch from the lower side of the nav light switch. Make sure that you use heavy enough cable to minimise volt drop. Works a treat - no longer possible to have steaming light and tricolour on at the same time.
 
I have a similar system except that I did not use a centre off switch, just a double throw switch because I wanted a system where if all the switches were up eveything was off. So it is fed from an off/ off switch which matches all the others on the panel (at least in that row).
 
I have two switches - the first is a "centre off" and "up" switches the anchor light, and "down" switches "nav lights". This wire is then fed to a changeover switch where "up" is masthead tricolour and "down" is steaming, stern white, and bicolour on the pulpit. That way, there's no possibility of an illegal combination being selected. LEDs on the panel indicate which has been selected. Works for me ......
 
Index Marine Equipment Ltd market a switch (made by Aqua Signal) that selects tricolour, steaming and anchor lights, as well as deck/spreader lights.
Index Marine Product code K-2005, £103.52 inc vat.

Contact details below, although the product is not on their web site, but is listed in their current 2006 catalogue.

www.marineelectrics.co.uk
E-mail sales@marineelectrics.co.uk
Tel. 01202 746000

David
 
One simple rotary switch available in any combination from three to twelve positions 3 to 30+ amps 12v to 24v from RS or any good electrical wholesaler (do not bother with high street DIY rubbish). It will take care of all the combinations with a back up if you wish. Set up right each circuit can have it's own fuse or MCB protection and be totally fool proof. Make sure you get the right amps x voltage DC combination. I have installed this type of nav light switching on a number of vessels and it works fine you can just ask any one to switch to number 1 to whatever and they get right first time.
 
Miker
2 switches should do it!

Switch 1 = masthead tricolour - whilst sailing.
Switch 2 = port/stb running light - steaming light (ahead) and transom light astern.

What's the problem?

As skipper/owner of the boat - if you know that switches 1 & 2 are not on together, I can't see a problem!

Peter.
 
Two on / off switches, plus one change-over switch.

Change-over switch is low level nav lights, feed power to centre contact, connect normally open contact to low nav lights, and the steaming light switch. the normally closed contact feed the tri-colour light switch.

Now if you switch on low level nav lights, you can select steaming light if you like, but the tri light is isolated.

To select the Tri-light you need the low level nav lights off, if you have the tri light on, and select the low nav lights, the tri-light is turned off.

You can only select streaming with low level nav lights.

There you have it, all interlocked.

Brian
 
As already stated you could use a DPDT switch to give either tricolour or nav lights. To further muppet proof why not run the steaming light from the nav light position via a relay energised by the alternator. That way the steaming light cannot be overlooked when changing from sail to power and back.

Personally I prefer the simplicity of one switch/breaker for one job. You never know, one day I might wish to be lit up like a xmas tree.
Steve
 
Thanks everyone. I've send for a Marine Index catalogue. My switch panel has just a "Nav light" switch for the masthead. I added a steaming light circuit and two extra switches that do the trick but the system is a bit of a lash up which is not always obvious to my crew. While I am sorting out the tangle of wires behind the instrument panel I thought that I would change it to a clearer system.
 
I am also in the middle of changing the Nav light setup on my Cornish Crabber. The Masthead lamp only has 2 wires avalable so I am using diodes to select either tricolor or all-round white and a two-pole changeover switch as the selector. As with other posters I will use a separate on-off switch.
I have a question relating to Anchor lights. Apart from the high current consumption of the steaming light at the top of the mast, am I allowed to use this as an anchor light or must it be lower? I realise for safety it would be wise if it was lower but is it compulsory and what power should the anchor light be?
 
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Personally I prefer the simplicity of one switch/breaker for one job. You never know, one day I might wish to be lit up like a xmas tree.
Steve

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Too true, Once we had to guide the Bembridge lifeboat towards the liferaft we were circling at the time. The coxswain couldn't see us or the liferaft until we switched everything on.
 
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Too true, Once we had to guide the Bembridge lifeboat towards the liferaft we were circling at the time. The coxswain couldn't see us or the liferaft until we switched everything on.

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Totally agree. The ability to turn everything on seems essential. Sailing into Coruna years ago the skipper spotted that one nav light wasn't working. So he decided to turn all the nav. lights off to be legal!!!! Scared me to death.
 
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£103.52 inc vat

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£103.52 inc vat!

£103.52 inc vat!

I will say it again £103.52 inc vat!
 
Sorry to interrupt the flights of fancy but are you likely to have a sudden lapse of brain and forget what lights are required for sailing or steaming?

If you have sufficient knowledge to work out all these crafty circuits you're pretty unlikely to join the christmas tree brigade. (I have 6 separate switches for my nav lights and have never had a problem).
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
£103.52 inc vat

[/ QUOTE ]

£103.52 inc vat!

£103.52 inc vat!

I will say it again £103.52 inc vat!

[/ QUOTE ]

Is that for the switch, wiring, lights and an electrician to install them!

I've got a couple of switches, think I'll keep 'em..... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
I, too, gulped at the £100 plus for a switch. I've had a word with Maplins and am going for a relay and anode for a fiver plus some small change.
 
Because my new switch panel with easily accessible fuses, another bonus, has three switches for tri, steaming and lower nav, and I don't want to add any further changeover switches.
I must admit, though, that the KISS approach is attractive and gives me the option, if I want to be, to be lit up like a Christmas tree.
 
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