175 Osprey nav/anchor switch

[TopherMichael]

Might be a dumb question... but why is the nav/anchor switch a 3 position switch... I can either have the lights off (center position), nav lights on (up position) or anchor light on (down position). I am under the impression that I would want both the nav lights and anchor lights on at the same time at night. What I am missing?

[Capt. Bob]

The "anchor light" doubles as the required "all around/stern" white light that is on while underway (along with the bow lights). You are also required to show a light when anchored at night but do not show the bow lights, hence the 3-way switch.

https://www.westmarine.com/WestAdvisor/Navigation-Light-Rules

[TopherMichael]

Thanks... will have to test the lifts again.

[TopherMichael]

The "anchor light" doubles as the required "all around/stern" white light that is on while underway (along with the bow lights). You are also required to show a light when anchored at night but do not show the bow lights, hence the 3-way switch.

https://www.westmarine.com/WestAdvisor/Navigation-Light-Rules

So tonight I tested the lights and either the anchor light is on or the bow lights are on, however, there is no option to have the "all-around/stern" and bow lights at the same time.

I am under the impression that both should on when underway at night. Right?

[Capt. Bob]

Switch/wiring problem.

When the switch is in the "nav light" position, both bow and "anchor" lights should be lit. Often the anchor/stern all  round socket or the light pole connection is corroded. However, since your anchor light does light, that leads me to believe that either there is a wiring fault at the switch or a fault in the switch itself.

Here's a schematic of the wiring of your three way switch (download the middle .pdf file).
https://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=9053.msg79505#msg79505

Review it and take a look at yours. You may or may not have a diode type switch (both types are shown). See if it has all the wiring intact and does not show signs of corrosion on any of the posts. You have to start somewhere.

Good luck.

[TopherMichael]

So I finally had some time to try to connect up the switch so the lights worked.

The switch has 5 connections, 3 on the left and 2 (top/bottom).

If I attach the power wire to the center post, bow light connection to the bottom and 360 light attached to the top post, the bow lights are on when the switch is in the “nav” position and the 360 light is on when in the anc position. However the 360 and now lights are never on at the same time.

If I attach a multimeter across the 2 other posts, in the diode mode, the multimeter will beep. Appears to beep no matter how the leads are attached.

What am I missing?

[Capt. Bob]

What am I missing?

Is the switch illuminated?

Try using your meter connections (in diode mode) between the top and bottom post that you have the bow/360 lights attached to, not the two other post. See what happens.

[TopherMichael]

What am I missing?

Is the switch illuminated?

Try using your meter connections (in diode mode) between the top and bottom post that you have the bow/360 lights attached to, not the two other post. See what happens.

Switch is not illuminated, just a toggle with the rubber boot.

Left side of the switch has 3 post and the right side has 2 post. Belive what you are suggesting is the right side has a diode.

Had my 13 year old son helping toggle the switch while I was trying to pin out the switch with my meter. After an hour, he was ready to strangle me ;)

[Fishhead]

My daughter sent me this

https://classicaquasport.com/gallery/data/500/77888759-9833-4855-944F-03A07A6538A4.jpeg

[TopherMichael]

That is a good one. I have come a long way with understanding that he doesn't know what he doesn't know. I now focus on the why and how and keeping the work area clean and tools put away.