12 volt interior lights

Bruce · Post by **Bruce** » January 23rd, 2016, 12:23 am

When I went to turn on my interior cabin lights they didn't come on. All the switches that should be on are on. The battery switch is also on. Everything else connected to the batteries works, engines, fathometer, etc. Is there a relay switch somewhere that could have been tripped? Any suggestions would be helpful. My boat is a 1998 3250 aft cabin.

Capt Happy · Post by **Capt Happy** » January 23rd, 2016, 6:38 am

Bruce,

Are all the interior lights controlled by one switch?
On the Voyager there are four switches for different areas.
I would start by using a multi-meter to confirm power up to the switch.

There are most likely two other reset breakers located around your battery selector switch, confirm one of these have not tripped. You would still have power to your engine and anything connected to this circuit, although the other one may be at fault. If memory serves correct they are probably labeled approx. 25 amp and need to be depressed to reset.

If all good then confirm contacts for light switch are all clean and remain connected.

After verifying power out from the switch, its probably a matter of tracing wires.
Not sure if your manual contains a wiring schematic for lighting or not, but if so it would indicate the first light in the sequence.

Hope this helps somewhat.
cheers

Post by **CYO Admin** » January 23rd, 2016, 7:30 am

Could they be on the same circuit as a GFCI outlet that needs to be reset?

Post by **Viper** » January 23rd, 2016, 8:56 am

From what I gather, it's the 12 volt lighting that is not working so outlet failure wouldn't apply. Is ALL the lighting in the boat down or just one section like fwd cabin or mid or aft? Depending on the boat, they're typically on separate circuits controlled by separate switches and usually separate circuit breakers. If that's the case and they are all down, then it's likely an issue at the source such as the electrical panel or the battery bank. There may also be a bad ground common to all the lighting circuits.

If it's just one section that's affected, then the fault could be anywhere from the breaker in the panel to bulbs in the fixture and everything in between such as switch, wiring, dimmer, etc. Check the easy stuff first like the bulbs. If you're sure they're okay, get a volt meter and check the source side of the on/off light switch. If you have 12 volts there but not on the load side of the switch when it's truned on, then the problem is the switch. You'll have to pick up a ground somewhere to get a reading though as there are usually only positive wires at a switch unless the switch has an indicator light. You can also test the switch by checking continuity with a meter. If you don't have 12 volts on the load side, then the fault is from the switch to the source which could be wiring and panel.

If there's continuity through the switch or 12 volts on the load side, then the problem is after the switch, between there and the light fixture; wiring, ground, fixture, bulb, etc.

Ensure that you have good, clean, tight, corrosion free connections everywhere.

Keep us posted.

Bruce · Post by **Bruce** » January 26th, 2016, 2:19 pm

I found the problem. It was the switches by the Battery switch that had been turned off. It seems when I pull the step up to get the boat keys & put them back, I somehow flipped the switches off. Thank you all for the assistance.

RGrew176 · Post by **RGrew176** » January 26th, 2016, 11:35 pm

You gotta love it when you find the simple solution to a problem. Still, I bet you had to rack your brain for awhile trying to figure it out. I have been there myself a few times.

Post by **Viper** » January 28th, 2016, 7:36 am

We've all been there, like making sure the lamp is plugged in before you replace the light bulb ;-)