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My tri anchor light went out. I did something

1000 Views 7 Replies 4 Participants Last post by bristol299bob, Jun 20, 2014

northoceanbeach

Discussion Starter · Jun 19, 2014

So I was playing around with things last night, to see which switch did what. I have a misea group trianchor light. It has a round switch. Turn it once and I think the anchor light comes on, twice and if flashes, thrice and it flashes more slowly, four times and it goes out, 5,,6,7,8.

Then when I turned it back it wouldn't go on anymore. I actually think it also has my red and green running lights up there, but I'm not sure.

Here is a weird diagram on their website.

http://www.miseagroup.com/solutions/productManuals/selector switch.png

Here is the light in general, but maybe they are popular so some of you have one. Under the options, I have the first, the strobe selector switch.

LED TriAnchor (2 or 3 Wire Installation) led navigation lights [LXTA-12/24V] - $349.00 : MISEA Group!, Marine Safety Energy Affiliates

What could I have done that turning the switch too far made it go out?

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bristol299bob

· #2 · Jun 19, 2014

How old is the switch? Any corrosion that you can see? did you check the fuse?

If that all checks out use your multimeter to investigate further ...
- do you have a good ground?
- do you have supply voltage at the terminal block?
- do you have continuity at each switch position?

I assume you've confirmed that the light and wiring to it is good? You should be able to apply voltage to the appropriate terminal block position to do that.

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tempest

· #3 · Jun 20, 2014

NOB....do you know if you have a photo diode? ...your anchor light may have a setting that has it come on when the ambient light gets low. A Solar setting.

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northoceanbeach

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jun 20, 2014

bristol299bob said:
How old is the switch? Any corrosion that you can see? did you check the fuse?

If that all checks out use your multimeter to investigate further ...
- do you have a good ground?
- do you have supply voltage at the terminal block?
- do you have continuity at each switch position?

I assume you've confirmed that the light and wiring to it is good? You should be able to apply voltage to the appropriate terminal block position to do that.

I don't think I have photo diode.

So would this light have it's own fuse or does it use the main battery bank fuse? It looks like the main switches I have have fuses, lights, electronics, etc. but I don't see each individually wired device having their own.

I think it's somehow something I did. I think the wiring, the ground, is all good. I've used it before. It only happened when I kept turning the knob. It has to have something to do with that.

Can it be related to the fact that this is an anchor light, and running lights all together, and somehow there is a way, there's got to be some way, to switch between anchor light and running lights, and I have it in the middle so it's not turning on either?

Pics tomorrow.

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bristol299bob

· #5 · Jun 20, 2014

northoceanbeach said:
So would this light have it's own fuse or does it use the main battery bank fuse?

The diagram shows a fuse in the switch. And as you say, the circuit it is on ("Lights"?) has a fuse as well.

I think the wiring, the ground, is all good. I've used it before.

Do verify that. I'm not suggesting that they were improperly wired, but corrosion happens, switches fail, etc.

Can it be related to ... <snip> .... and I have it in the middle so it's not turning on either?

Sure, it's possible. You should be able to test that theory with your meter.

This problem is actually a great opportunity to learn a lot about DC systems. This switch and light arrangement is more complex than a simple bilge pump circuit, but not so complex that it's overwhelming.

Go step by step, be methodical, and in the end you'll have gained far more than a working tri-anchor light!

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northoceanbeach

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jun 20, 2014

Ok. I guess this is a good time to learn, or every time everything goes out I'll be helpless. I turned the switch and it came on last night, and then tried it later and nothing happened. S I guess it's a connection loose. Hopefully not the one at the top of the mast.

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hellosailor

· #7 · Jun 20, 2014

First thing to do with any cranky electrical stuff: Look for loose or corroded connections, or broken solder traces, etc.

Also, if there's a slot on the panel near the switch?

Put another quarter in before trying it again. (G)

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bristol299bob

· #8 · Jun 20, 2014

northoceanbeach said:
Ok. I guess this is a good time to learn, or every time everything goes out I'll be helpless.

Yep. And you may find that you get quite a bit of satisfaction from solving these problems!

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