I spliced into working bow light wiring to add a stern light however the lights will only work if I keep the hot wire on the bow light hot wire and run the negative wire of the stern light back to the battery negative. Shouldn’t the stern light work by just splicing into the bow light wires?
First ever workplace violence incident, Wounded Knee,SD.
Not with out a Ground!
The bow light was working by a rocker switch and I spliced into the wires between the light and switch so how does that interrupt the ground?
First ever workplace violence incident, Wounded Knee,SD.
You need to be sure you have the proper switch first. It has to be an On/Off/On - DPDT (Dual Pole Dual Throw) switch in order to accomplish what you are trying to do.
Do a quick Google search for Nav/Anchor light / switch wiring diagrams and you will be in business. Not hard to wire up by any stretch.
You have to have a hot and return to complete a circuit. A trailer for instance can ground through the frame, a fiberglass boat will not ground because it doesn’t conduct electricity. Also, as electricity follows the path of least resistance, if your wires or connections have a lot and of resistance, it may not light your back light.
JT
If man is not fit to govern himself, how can he be fit to govern asomeone else? Crisis is the rallying cry of the tyrant.
from what I read, he spliced both wires going to the nav light.
if that is the case, yes, it should work
front and back light will come on at the same time.
if its not working, somewhere in the process you are losing ground to the stern light
www.teamcharlestonmarine.com
www.joinrfa.org
IF I RESPOND IN ALL CAPS, ITS NOT ON PURPOSE, AND I AM NOT YELLING