Nav Lights backlit switch always on?

[Beachbummer]

It seems my new to me SX230 has a Perko Off1all2 swich, but it's being bypassed by a cable going straight to one of the 2 batteries to provide what appears to be radio memory and for sure a permanent, always on backlight to the nav light switch. (No wonder battery was dead)

Is this common? I'm a fan of Off=No parasitic draw and it has been my experience in the past, so I want to see if this is some sort of mod, or as intended.

Thanks!!

 

[Bill D]

I would have to say that is not common. Maybe the radio part, if anyone actually used the radio or cared about presets. But, you definitely don't want a continuous load running down the battery.

If you want the radio memory, you can leave that wire to the battery. If you don't, you can move it to the battery switch. I would recommend rewiring the switch so that the light is only on when the switch is on. To do that, you just need to move the positive wire for the light over to the NO contact on the switch. This is likely the same place the wire for the nav lights are also connected.

 

[Beachbummer]

Thanks! Re wired with desired effect!

 

[Beachbummer]

So, I wired the light to the master switch, but the question remains.. Is this normal?? Is your SX/AR 230 navigation backlight always on once you set the master switch to On?? or is this some wiring quirk of my boat? It just seems an unnecessary draw, and I want to confirm it was designed as such. Thanks!!!

 

[2nazt]

Are you sure it is centered as it has up off and down. One for bow and anchor off in and anchor alone? Just figured I would ask the obvious. It should be just off though with no backlights displayed.

 

[Beachbummer]

That's an interesting thought. Perhaps it is supposed to be off in the middle, instead of Up or Down.. I thought it was off/1/2..Your wording suggests it may be 1/off/2 (This would match the light behavior) I will need to check this out!

 

[Julian]

That's an interesting thought. Perhaps it is supposed to be off in the middle, instead of Up or Down.. I thought it was off/1/2..Your wording suggests it may be 1/off/2 (This would match the light behavior) I will need to check this out!

@2nazt is correct, the nav lights are 1/off/2 switches. Middle is off, forward is usually running lights, backwards is anchor light.

Adding a memory for the radio presets was a common modification back in the days before digital music players, satellite radio and streaming music!