"Simple" Wiring question NASA Marine Supernova Combination light

[Gi-Lo]

I'm refurbing my old boat, and I am thinking of buying a NASA supernova combination anchor/tri-colour LED mast light. I read that they have cleverly made it so that it has only two wires, and reversing the polarity switches either Anchor or Tri-colour Light on.

Now I'm not the greatest electrician, and I would like to use the two dedicated switches on my panel to switch on the lights...... I cant for the life of me figure a way to do this without having a short if both switches are accidentally switched on at once...... I'm sure there must be a way??

[jeepbluetj]

You need a DPDT switch, AND you need to ensuure that the negative lead that goes to your anchor light is not shared with any other lights or items in the mast.

Schematic for the switch I found via google:


Pretend that part that says "motor" says "light" instead
The power supply would be from your existing breaker.

[Gi-Lo]

Originally Posted by jeepbluetj

You need a DPDT switch, AND you need to ensuure that the negative lead that goes to your anchor light is not shared with any other lights or items in the mast.

Schematic for the switch I found via google:


Pretend that part that says "motor" says "light" instead
The power supply would be from your existing breaker.

Thanks, I can understand how that would work, but I cant understand how I would wire this to my existing Anchor and Nav light switches??

[tenchiki]

You don't -- the DPDT switch replaces (1 of) your current switches. There is no way to wire it iwth 2 normal switches.

[jeepbluetj]

If your existing switches are breakers (would be likely) - you keep one - lets say anchor. that's on/off. Then add a DPDT switch and that's "which one".

OR, use a DPDP center-off switch and just leave the breaker on all the time.

[RolfP]

I ordered one of these and will no longer use my anchor light switch, instead adding the three-way switch that provides ANCHOR ON - OFF - NAV ON. I am keeping my deck level nav lights for steaming - they all go on with the Nav light switch green,red, white on stern.

[Gi-Lo]

SO I REALLY wanted separate switches, so this is how I did it!!



It cost no more to have the two lights than the Combo. and If one fails, only have to replace one.....


Thanks to RolfP for this

Originally Posted by RolfP

I ordered one of these and will no longer use my anchor light switch, instead adding the three-way switch that provides ANCHOR ON - OFF - NAV ON. I am keeping my deck level nav lights for steaming - they all go on with the Nav light switch green,red, white on stern.

I actually Added Bow Combo and Stern light to come on With Steaming Light to be entirely compliant...... great Idea, thanks