Aft Cockpit Light Switches Stopped Working

[mlanger]

2019 R-29 CB. The other day, I noticed that the three switches (with 4 positions) on the starboard side of the aft cockpit stopped working. I cannot turn any of those lights on.

Any suggestions for what I need to check to start troubleshooting? It's not clear in the manual I downloaded for my boat exactly which fuses control this, although I did check a few I thought it might be.

To my knowledge, those are the only DC switches/accessories that don't work.

 

[dclagett]

Spray into the switch CRC while continuously operating the switch. That has worked for me to clean out the corrosion.

 

[Rocky]

I have a 2018 R29. That switch panel was replaced on my boat under warranty a few years ago. Mine would turn lights on by itself and flash them when turned on. I was told voltage was shorting between the switches. The RT tech indicated that it wasn't the first time he had seen that.

I realize that is different problem than you have, but my experience could be an indicator.

I hope it helps.

Rocky

 

[mlanger]

Spray into the switch CRC while continuously operating the switch. That has worked for me to clean out the corrosion.

You lost me at CRC. Forgive my ignorance, but is that a brand or type of product? Corrosion would not surprise me given the amount of salt in the air and the morning condensation and general wetness I’ve been experiencing on this trip.

 

[mlanger]

I realize that is different problem than you have, but my experience could be an indicator.

Hearing about any similar problem helps. Two folks have mentioned the switches themselves now and that gives me a place to start.

I’m honestly not sure why those switches are positioned where they are. When they were working, it was common for them to be accidentally turned on while getting on or off the boat. I hope Ranger has reconsidered the location since building our model years.

 

[mlanger]

CRC = company name? The only product that looks like it might do the job is Marine Dry Lube. Is that the stuff?

https://www.crcindustries.com/products/ ... wt-oz.html

I’m not looking for an electrical contact cleaner, am I? I have a marine lubricant that I purchased in a tackle shop a while back and I’ve been using it on basically anything that moves and is getting rusty. It works like a charm. I’m wondering if I could use that since it’s already on hand. It’s definitely not specifically made for electrical contacts.

 

[dclagett]

Sorry, CRC 6-56 is what i used.

 

[mlanger]

Thanks! I'll look for it. I might just take the panel off for a closer look, first. The boat is only 4 years old. If there's corrosion, I want to see it.

 

[mlanger]

I never updated this with the resolution.

After taking the switches off and looking at them and wiggling them around and putting them back with no joy, I dug out the electrical diagram and tracked down the fuse for that circuit. (I had looked earlier but apparently was looking at the wrong one.) Sure enough, it had a gap. I replaced the fuse with the same kind and it works fine now. Not sure what caused it to blow but I'll be keeping an eye on it.