Nav Lights - Poof

[Chuteman]

Compass light was off thought it was because of dimming Chartplotter but remember they are connected to Navigation Light switch - then looked = ALL Nav Lights were out.........reset breaker & it popped...swapped breaker & that one popped.

Coincidence ? - there is also small panel / screen that monitors fuel & water tanks (levels - yeah right) and Battery charge condition - it is also out........humm???

Did not want to mess around last night underway & when I got in today - it was nap time........I was going to start in am by taking apart each light (bow has taken plenty of salt water the last few months) .........inspect, check bulbs, connections, etc + pull out Nigel's Electrical Repair book 'cause I tain't no expert with +/-

Other Thoughts?

[hummingway]

Sounds like a short. Check for a wire that has come loose and is contacting something it shouldn't?

[Chuteman]

h - OK, will do......thanks very much
Better get the magnifying glass & do stretching for the hard to see places

[hummingway]

Originally Posted by Chuteman

h - OK, will do......thanks very much
Better get the magnifying glass & do stretching for the hard to see places

It doesn't sound like fun but I wonder if, since the gauge is out as well as the nav lights if it isn't behind the panel?

[Chuteman]

h:
I looked several times quickly but will take a slow long look again - good thought..........appears OK - tight taped bundles, connections tight, etc

found two things under mast step
1) Loose stripped wired that is unlabeled w/o a match or connection point
2) Bundle marked Tri-color (don't have or use) with one wire pulled out of the multi-wire connector

I will also examine each light separately........

Thanks again

[hummingway]

I've got wires all over the place which don't do anything anymore. I guess it's an old boat thing but it drives me nuts and doesn't help with troubleshooting. Good luck.

[Chuteman]

h:
I hear You especially when it is so easy to label or just remove

I'll give You the short (no pun intended) version.
Port Light had burned wires not where it exits the pulpit but as it passed thru
the support plate that holds the light to that side of the bow pulpit. It was not visible until I removed the entire light unit from the plate - there was a rubber insulator that obviously did not do it's job too well......the wires especially the ground wire were toasted black
Which brings me to unresolved part........I made up new wires for the light side and went to attach to boat side but the ground wire is damaged even when I cut back..........so when I resume the trace - I will go all the way back to where the circuit splits for the two sides.......
But the stern & Stb side now stays on w/o breaker popping.
I wonder why breaker did not pop faster the other night.

Monitoring Panel is still an open item but this gives a hint to what was going on.
Thanks for suggestions, correct call & support...much appreciated