How to Connect Boat Lights to a Switch (6-Step Guide)

By the end of this guide, you should know how to easily and quickly connect boat lights to a switch.

The general light switch on your boat will not allow you to conveniently turn your navigation lights on and off. You need another switch to help you control the lighting appropriately - a toggle switch is the best choice. I've installed and fixed a lot of boat lighting issues and if you're a fisherman or boat owner who wants to sail at night; this guide will take care of your safety.

In general, connect the navigation boat lights to the toggle switch.

• First, use a drill to drill a hole in the dashboard, and then install the toggle switch on the dashboard.
• Connect the positive wire to the longer pin on the switch.
• Connect the ground and the shorter pin of the toggle switch with the green wire.
• Connect the built-in fuse holder to the boat's lights and then connect the positive wire to the power supply.
• Install the fuse in the fuse holder

Read the following sections for more details.

Necessary tools and materials

• Drill
• toggle switch
• red cable
• Green cable
• fuse
• Integrated fuse holder
• Liquid Vinyl - Electrical Sealant

Wiring diagram

Step 1: Drill a hole to install the toggle switch

Drill a nice hole in the dashboard to install the toggle switch. To avoid collateral damage, make sure you know what's behind the dash. Proceed with caution.

Step 2: Install the toggle switch on the dashboard

Before installing the toggle switch in the dashboard, turn it counterclockwise. Unscrew it to get rid of the mounting ring on the threaded yoke.

Then insert the toggle switch into the hole you just drilled in the dashboard. Screw the mounting ring onto the threaded collar of the toggle switch.

Step 3: Connect the wires - green and red wires

I recommend stripping about one inch of wire insulation before twisting it.

This ensures the correct connection. Then use wire nuts to seal the twisted terminals for safety. Otherwise, the cables may touch other important parts of the boat and cause problems. You can use duct tape to cover the splices if you can't find the wire nuts. (1)

Now connect the positive cable to the longer pin of the toggle switch. Then connect the common ground bar and the shorter pin (on the toggle switch) to the green cable.

Step 4: Connect the built-in fuse holder to the headlights

Connect one wire of the standard fuse holder to the middle post of your toggle switch. Then connect the wire coming from the lights to the rest of the wires on the in-line fuse holder.

Step 5: Connect the positive wire to the power supply

You can now connect the red/positive wire to the circuit breaker panel on the boat.

To do this, use a screwdriver to open the circuit breaker. Then insert the bare end of the red or hot wire between the plates below the switch screw. Next, screw on the hot wire by pulling the two plates together.

Step 6: Plug in the fuse

Carefully open the built-in fuse holder and insert the fuse. Close the fuse holder. (Use a compatible fuse.)

The fuse must have the correct amperage and size. Otherwise, the fuse will not blow as required. The circuit and light may burn out in the event of an electrical failure. Purchase a fuse with the right current from the store - it depends on the type of boat you have.

Warnings

Connecting boat lights involves working with electrical wires and other components. Therefore, always proceed carefully to avoid injury or damage to the boat.

You must protect your eyes and hands. Put on safety goggles and gloves (made of insulated fabric). Thus, you cannot get an eye injury from any cause or an electric shock (insulated gloves will protect your hands). (2)

Tips

Before inserting a fuse:

Seal the toggle switch connections and the connections between the fuse holder and light cables with liquid vinyl electrical sealant.

Take a look at some of our articles below.

• How to connect a fuel pump to a toggle switch
• Why is the ground wire hot on my electric fence
• How to connect headlights on a 48 volt golf cart

Recommendations

(1) boat - https://www.britannica.com/technology/boa

(2) insulated fabric - https://www.ehow.com/info_7799118_fabrics-materials-provide-insulation.html

Video link

HOW TO WIRE A NAVIGATION LIGHT SWITCH FOR YOUR BOAT