Cockpit and side gunwale lights

[baz]

At my marina we have several Ranger Tugs and I've noticed at times as I pass them by some have their cockpit and gunwale lights left on... and it's bright sunlight... 😱

When I see this I normally will step into the cockpit and turn them off... hoping I don't set off some kind of alarm.

This got me to thinking that it's just too easy to leave these lights on, especially if somehow the rocker switch is flipped accidentally by leaning a chair on the switch or simply leaning on it when doing things about the cockpit. I know at time my chair will do this on the starboard side and even will active the fresh water pump on the port side which has a red light when its ON.

During a bight sunny day these lights are not easily seen when they are illuminated.

If there's no shore power connected I assume these lights will eventually drain the battery... I believe there are at least 4 of these lights.

I sure would like to come up with a solution that somehow warns of this condition before the boat is left for days on end.

Any suggestions forthcoming I wonder ???? Thanks.

One other light I leave on at times is the one in the head/shower room. 😉

 

[knotflying]

I always turn my house battery off when leaving the boat. However if you leave the refrigerator stocked this may not work. I have found this rocker switch by the stern door to be a pain. I have looked for a different switch with a cover, but no joy yet. In the interim I put one of those wire type clips that you can buy at Staples and clip it on the open end of the switch and this prevents it from being pushed to the on position.

 

[Ainokea]

I do the same as Mike does as well as the raw water wash down switch

Frank

 

[baz]

I always turn my house battery off when leaving the boat. However if you leave the refrigerator stocked this may not work. I have found this rocker switch by the stern door to be a pain. I have looked for a different switch with a cover, but no joy yet. In the interim I put one of those wire type clips that you can buy at Staples and clip it on the open end of the switch and this prevents it from being pushed to the on position.

Is this what you use ?

 

[knotflying]

Similar, same concept though.

 

[GaylesFaerie]

Does anyone know the power source for the cockpit lights on a 2012 R27? I could start pulling fuses on the PDPs when the lights are ON but mine now spontaneously stopped working. Neither the helm switch or tuna door switch work now. The switch by the tuna door was replaced 6 weeks ago and has been working fine until just now. The connectors are all new and clean and tight. Thanks, GF

 

[Osprey]

You will note a black "nipple" just above the helm switch for the cockpit lights. Pressing this nipple resets the circuit breaker for the circuit.

 

[GaylesFaerie]

Yea, I tried pressing the black rubber bubble but it just collapsed as if nothing was inside. I assume that if the breaker activates that the rubber will have some sort of button move into it which can then be pressed in. Thanks. GF

 

[Osprey]

Could you have not pressed the reset button deep enough? Try using the blunt end of a pencil or some other small diameter tool. I have never had one of these breakers open so I have not had an occasion to reset.

To check further the next step is to open the hinged panel located on the starboard aft wall of the v-berth. Inside you will see the dash fuse block. The cockpit light circuit switch is served from this block. You will also be able to check the connection to the switch. Measure for voltages.

 

[GaylesFaerie]

Yah I pressed pretty deep but nothing. I'll try voltages from the back as you suggest. Thanks. GF