Navigation Lights Not Working (But Anchor Light Does)

[snestler]

Just discovered this last evening. Our anchor light comes on when the switch is in either the Anchor or Navigation positions. However, neither navigation light (port/red and starboard/green) comes on. My initial thought is that this isn't a fuse (since the Anchor light works). However, I did replace one of the navigation lights last year. I suppose it is possible they both went bad at the same time. (I'll test that when I am back on the boat in a few days.). But what does the collective wisdom have to say? Thanks!

 

[fishheadbarandgrill]

I don't think you're doing much more than the usual electrical fault isolation steps.... check for a blown fuse (if it's like my 2011 R29 you have a single 10A fuse that serves both running lights and anchor light so that's not the problem); check for blown bulbs; check for 12V at fixtures....

 

[snestler]

Thanks, Bob. I pulled up the schematic for lighting on our boat and see that the navigation lights are on the same 10A fuse as the anchor light, AC/DC panel lights, and water gauge (which all work). So I will check for 12V at the light fixture and (if it exists) change the bulbs.

 

[CruisingElvinRay]

I had a little corrosion on my port side nav light. A bit of emory cloth helped remove it from the contacts.


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[CaspersCruiser]

The above schematic appears to show that the red and green nav lights share a common ground If your boat is wired in a similar way, that’s probably where the current flow issue is, most likely in a butt splice.

 

[dbsea]

I ran into a slightly similar issue recently - I couldn't control my anchor or nav lights from the main helm (inside) but it was working fine from the flybridge. I isolated this to a blown fuse for the switch panel, which likely blew as a result of trying to run my macerator and determining that it's seized. Check all your fuses etc...

 

[Gwkessel]

Flip side,I have both nav lights from lower helm but no anchor light in either switch position.
Have not lowered radar tower to check bulb or power

 

[sgeary]

Check that the wiring on the back of the Nav/Anchor light switch is secure.
These are push on terminals and sometimes a wire will vibrate loose over time.

 

[glider4]

Based on the design and build quality of nav light fixtures, I’m stunned every time they do work. The little bowed “spring” that holds the bulb in place is really minimal engineering. In the R-25 Classic, I had to disassemble those fixtures every year and sand off all the corrosion. Ad some years more when the bulb fails to light up while on a cruise.
The anchor light is a bit better design. And because it’s higher, it doesn’t get the near constant salt water spray that the nav lights get while underway.
I switched out the bulbs to LED and carry a spare set of the three in the tool kit. If you don’t have spares, I’d highly recommend considering doing so.