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17-12-2016, 11:14
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 46
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Wiring compass light to two separate circuits
Hi all,
I'm re-wiring the light on my binnacle mounted compass (Danforth Constellation 5"). I'd like the light to be on whenever either my lower running lights OR mast-mounted tri-color are on. The running lights and tri-color are in separate circuits and I wouldn't expect to have them both "on" at the same time.
Obviously the ground will go to the main ground bus bar for the DC circuits, but can I then have two positive leads with one going to the tri-color breaker and one to the running lights breaker? I suppose I should use diodes in the hot leads to prevent unintentionally connecting the two circuits?
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17-12-2016, 11:23
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Boat: 2017 Leopard 40
Posts: 2,662
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Re: Wiring compass light to two separate circuits
You can wire it to both, but if they're on separate breakers I would add a separate in-line fuse on the compass light hotwire that's sized for the compass light/wire. Otherwise the amp rating on the compass light could be the total (added) rating of both breakers combined.
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17-12-2016, 13:48
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Vancouver Island
Boat: Hullmaster 27
Posts: 1,042
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Re: Wiring compass light to two separate circuits
You need the diodes, otherwise both the deck-level lights and the mast-top light will turn on together every time.
An alternative would be to wire both sets of lights onto a single breaker, and add a selector switch to select which lights are on - then wire in the compass light after the breaker, but before the selector switch.
Or just use another breaker for the compass light - but you might be asking the question because you're trying to free up this breaker for something else.
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17-12-2016, 14:17
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Houston
Boat: ‘01 Catana 401
Posts: 9,626
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Re: Wiring compass light to two separate circuits
Diodes are the answer.....however I've noted since changing the deck level lights to led that the green nav light faintly illuminates when the tricolor is on. The diodes are not blocking absolutely.
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17-12-2016, 14:51
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Boat: 2017 Leopard 40
Posts: 2,662
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Re: Wiring compass light to two separate circuits
Of course, diodes. I stand corrected.
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17-12-2016, 16:10
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Tampa Bay area, USA
Boat: Beneteau First 42
Posts: 3,961
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Re: Wiring compass light to two separate circuits
Why have your compass light wired into your running lights at all? Ours is independently wired with a simple switch on our instrument panel and we frequently have it illuminated regardless of running lights, often, if not always when we're anchored out so that, on a shoot dark night, we know what direction the yacht is pointed in the event we have to make an unexpected break for deeper water.
FWIW...
__________________
"It is not so much for its beauty that the Sea makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air, that emanation from the waves, that so wonderfully renews a weary spirit."
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17-12-2016, 17:12
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Ocala FL
Boat: 1979 Bristol 35.5 CB
Posts: 1,953
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Re: Wiring compass light to two separate circuits
simple and can free up a breaker for something more useful. My homemade deal. piece of plexiglass, tapped, brass sheetmetal, 3 amp diodes from RadioShack.
I also have my breaker panel lights wired in so they will illuminate when either set of lights is on
If other lights are glowing, diodes are bad or there is stray current
__________________
John Churchill Ocala, FL
NURDLE, 1979 Bristol 35.5 CB
Currently hauled out ashore Summerfield FL for refit
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18-12-2016, 08:10
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 164
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Re: Wiring compass light to two separate circuits
Why not just put the compass lighting on its own, dimmable circuit and keep it separate from the mast, and deck nav lights?
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18-12-2016, 09:22
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: SC
Boat: None,build the one shown of glass, had many from 6' to 48'.
Posts: 10,208
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Re: Wiring compass light to two separate circuits
Quote:
Originally Posted by jls095
Hi all,
I'm re-wiring the light on my binnacle mounted compass (Danforth Constellation 5"). I'd like the light to be on whenever either my lower running lights OR mast-mounted tri-color are on. The running lights and tri-color are in separate circuits and I wouldn't expect to have them both "on" at the same time.
Obviously the ground will go to the main ground bus bar for the DC circuits, but can I then have two positive leads with one going to the tri-color breaker and one to the running lights breaker? I suppose I should use diodes in the hot leads to prevent unintentionally connecting the two circuits?
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Put a blocking diode in the supply wires.
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18-12-2016, 09:29
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Boat: GibSea 472
Posts: 520
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Re: Wiring compass light to two separate circuits
I've done it with diodes: It works well and quite simple to make.
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18-12-2016, 09:32
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#11
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cruiser
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Lake Ontario
Boat: Ontario 38 / Douglas 32 Mk II
Posts: 3,250
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Re: Wiring compass light to two separate circuits
Solutions:
1. Control your running and trilight with one breaker (you could fuse each circuit separately so if one circuit shorts it doesn't take out the other) and use the other breaker for the compass light.
2. Control your running light and trilight with separate double throw switches, the second throw on each to the compass light.
3. Diodes from running light and trilight switches to the compass light, blocking current flow to the alternate circuit light.
4. Use (or add) a spare breaker to the panel to have separate for each.
5. Use one breaker from main panel to feed a new subpanel with separate breakers for each (freeing up a breaker on the main panel).
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18-12-2016, 11:27
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: SC
Boat: None,build the one shown of glass, had many from 6' to 48'.
Posts: 10,208
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Re: Wiring compass light to two separate circuits
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sailmonkey
Attachment 138123
Diodes are the answer.....however I've noted since changing the deck level lights to led that the green nav light faintly illuminates when the tricolor is on. The diodes are not blocking absolutely.
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You may want to check the value of your diodes? They may be to large thus allowing some bleed for the LEDs. Just a thought.
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18-12-2016, 13:16
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#13
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֍֎֍֎֍֎֍֎֍֎
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 15,136
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Re: Wiring compass light to two separate circuits
You could use a pair of double-pole double-throw relays, rigged so that each one, when energized, broke the "compass power" from the other source as it connected compass power for it's own source. Effectively making them into a pair of two-way light switches. Depending on how the bulbs are set up, physically, it may also be possible to just add a second set of bulbs alongside, and power one set from each circuit, so it is one-or-the-other whichever you choose, and nothing shared common to the two lighting circuits.
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18-12-2016, 13:58
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: SC
Boat: None,build the one shown of glass, had many from 6' to 48'.
Posts: 10,208
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Re: Wiring compass light to two separate circuits
Why are some making a simple two diode fix a major electrical rewiring? If the LED has a little bleed going to it, find better diodes or don't worry about it.
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18-12-2016, 16:03
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#15
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Victoria B.C.
Boat: Wauquiez Centurion 32
Posts: 2,874
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Re: Wiring compass light to two separate circuits
Diodes shouldn't be needed. As your trilight and lower running lights are on separate switches it is easy. The output of both switches goes to their respective loads as well as the positive of the compass light. As long as the lower running lights are off the current cannot run through the switch to them when the compass light and trilight are on - and vice versa.
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