My topside running light stopped working last Oct and the port red light took a couple raps to get going on those cold dark runs.
I found that the connectors for the bow lights, wedged up in front of the anchor locker were toast. In addition as is usually the case with those freaking festoon lights; the end cap was corroded underneath at the filament contact and fell apart in my hands.
Trip 1 to West Marine.
The running light was weird as I had 360 degrees anchor, but light when the helm switch was set to "run". I clipped and replaced the connectors; which I had done 2 years ago. Nothing changed and those connectors were not corroded. Of course; this is the 3rd time those leads have been cut and with little lead left; I am not confident that the connections are good. Bad move on my part,
Eventually my light went on and i started messing with the 3 way anchor-off-run switch at the help. Ding - guess what was trip # 2 to West Marine - a futile try for a Cole Hersee 3 way switch. In the meantime if I have to run at night I can always use one of my handy jumper clips. i'm now toying with whether I want to replace that switch or bite the bullet and order a new panel and rewire everything at once. 10 years is a long time in marine electrical life
Note - if you haven't made up 1' and 3' pieces of 10, 12 and 14 gauge wire with alligator clips on either end - they are absolutely invaluable both in diagnosis and in emergency electrical repairs on the water.
On to the port macerator which had been acting funky for 2 years; I have already replaced the starboard and the head pumps; so replacement as opposed to rebuild was well warranted. Nothing like being upside down hanging over an oily/bilge soapy area, trying to stay out of the mess; see what I was doing and use 2 hands to get the damned thing in place.
2 notes on Jabsco macerators. The input piece of plastic has to be hacksawed down to the threaded area so the plastic elbow piece that takes the fishbox hose can be screwed on. I learned that 2 years ago. The other fun thing is that a standard Jabsco pump has its output fitting on the left side if you are facing it mounted on the transom wall. Since I was on the port side I had to get a longer piece of hose to route the hose over to the far side of the pump. More head down fun.
I'm starting to see a lot of merit in 5 years and move up
I found that the connectors for the bow lights, wedged up in front of the anchor locker were toast. In addition as is usually the case with those freaking festoon lights; the end cap was corroded underneath at the filament contact and fell apart in my hands.
Trip 1 to West Marine.
The running light was weird as I had 360 degrees anchor, but light when the helm switch was set to "run". I clipped and replaced the connectors; which I had done 2 years ago. Nothing changed and those connectors were not corroded. Of course; this is the 3rd time those leads have been cut and with little lead left; I am not confident that the connections are good. Bad move on my part,
Eventually my light went on and i started messing with the 3 way anchor-off-run switch at the help. Ding - guess what was trip # 2 to West Marine - a futile try for a Cole Hersee 3 way switch. In the meantime if I have to run at night I can always use one of my handy jumper clips. i'm now toying with whether I want to replace that switch or bite the bullet and order a new panel and rewire everything at once. 10 years is a long time in marine electrical life

Note - if you haven't made up 1' and 3' pieces of 10, 12 and 14 gauge wire with alligator clips on either end - they are absolutely invaluable both in diagnosis and in emergency electrical repairs on the water.
On to the port macerator which had been acting funky for 2 years; I have already replaced the starboard and the head pumps; so replacement as opposed to rebuild was well warranted. Nothing like being upside down hanging over an oily/bilge soapy area, trying to stay out of the mess; see what I was doing and use 2 hands to get the damned thing in place.
2 notes on Jabsco macerators. The input piece of plastic has to be hacksawed down to the threaded area so the plastic elbow piece that takes the fishbox hose can be screwed on. I learned that 2 years ago. The other fun thing is that a standard Jabsco pump has its output fitting on the left side if you are facing it mounted on the transom wall. Since I was on the port side I had to get a longer piece of hose to route the hose over to the far side of the pump. More head down fun.
I'm starting to see a lot of merit in 5 years and move up

Comment