Tower light problems

Ryan L · Newbie Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 3 City: Littleton Co

The problem I am having is that when I turn my tower lights on they will
only work for about 5 min before the main breaker in the boat blows. It
seems to me that the alternator is not keeping up with the lights. The
boat is 2003 Centurion Hurricane and I ordered it with the lights so the
problem should be covered under warranty. I have taken the boat to the
local dealer on multiple occasions to get this problem fixed and no luck
as of yet.

I was informed by the dealer that they can not replace the alternator
because then mercruiser will void the warranty

Anyone else ever run into this?

vdrive · Criminal Joined: 17 Apr 2003 Posts: 94

you are probably running to much amps thru the breaker....

I have seven lights on my boat ran to 2 30 amp relays, 3 lights to one relay and 4 lights to the other... I tried to used the accessory switches on the boat but kept tripping the circuits.... Your alt is fine just wire the lights better.. run a seperate line from the battery to 2 relays then get a good switch or 2 and wire the switch and the lights into the relay..

Tim Krasin · Outlaw Joined: 13 Feb 2003 Posts: 104 City: Houston, TX

They need to get a qualified person to fix it for you at the dealer. Just as vdrive said, you can run the lights directly from the battery and use a couple relays for the switch. Just watch how much you run the lights and make sure the battery's adequately recharged befor storing or stopping. This is where an isolated second battery for accessories comes in handy. I refer to this guy's red nautique (http://www.geocities.com/mtbmudmachine/Nautique-welcome.html) quite frequently for his accessory battery isolation setup. Disconnected when stopped, connected to starter battery/alternator when running. Good luck with the dealer though.
-Tim

MattyBoyR6 · Outlaw Joined: 09 May 2003 Posts: 239 City: Mesa

I think your dealer is a bafoon. Replacing the alternator shouldn't void the warrenty on the rest of the engine. Any way as stated above it isn't the alternator anyway. And your dealer should fix this seeign how you ordered the boat w/ lights

As Tim wrote you could run the lights directly off the battery but personaly I thinkyou will get a much better fit and finnish if you run it off an accessory port on the main fuse panel. Then through relays. Then switches. Go to a truck accssry store and get good switches like KC or Hella. THe K-mart, Autozone switches don't hold up as well.

Could just be a bad connection and when the boat hits a bump the wires touch and short things out.

Brian B. · Posted: Jul 28, 2003 5:05 pm Post subject:

Tim Krasin · Outlaw Joined: 13 Feb 2003 Posts: 104 City: Houston, TX

Yes, you certainly could still use the existing dash switches and boat fuse panel, just use those switches to turn on/off the relays which of course are directly wired to the battery/lights. It would be an easy modification since the boat's switches are already wired to some lines - just route those to the battery location to some relays which go to the lights. Go to an auto store for some 30 amp relays (usually in the driving/offroad lights section) and buy a couple relays ($3-$5 each I think) and the box should have a simple wiring diagram to get an idea. You may have to show this to the boat mechanic for him to get a clue.
-Tim

PhxWatersports · Outlaw Joined: 27 Jun 2003 Posts: 147 City: DFW

You can hook up 4 lights with only one relay...right???

vdrive · Criminal Joined: 17 Apr 2003 Posts: 94

yes... each 55 watt light will draw around 5 amps, if you use a 30 amp relay you will be fine

PhxWatersports · Outlaw Joined: 27 Jun 2003 Posts: 147 City: DFW

What if they are high powered PIAA driving lights, should I and can I get a larger than 30 amp relay?

vdrive · Criminal Joined: 17 Apr 2003 Posts: 94

how many watts are they ?

figure for every 11 watts roughly 1 amp

I have seen up to 40 amp relays I am sure they even go higher than that......

PhxWatersports · Outlaw Joined: 27 Jun 2003 Posts: 147 City: DFW

Just checked and they're 55watts-4 lamps total. I just don't want to be stuck somewhere and they blow. Just to be safe should I put a 40 amp relay on there and what is the main purpose of the relay?

Tim Krasin · Outlaw Joined: 13 Feb 2003 Posts: 104 City: Houston, TX

Or you can use two 30 amp relays in parallel (NOT series) with two lights on each. The relay is a switch that is controlled be an electric signal. This allows a smaller dash switch (existing or aftermarket) to be mounted and not have to handle the high amperage. The relay uses a very small amount of current to switch on. When the power is cut to the relay it opens the switch (turns it off). I've got relays also on my audio amps' continuous power leads, so they aren't continuous power anymore.

mossimo · Criminal Joined: 28 May 2003 Posts: 76 City: Arkansas

MattyBoyR6 · Outlaw Joined: 09 May 2003 Posts: 239 City: Mesa

My KC lights are 150W each and I run two lights per 30 amp relay. SO running 4 55W lights on one 30 amp relay should be fine. Your local off road center will also have wiring kits that include everything you need for around $20.

PhxWatersports, if you need help running the lights and wires let me know. I have done it on a boat before and plenty of trucks.

PhxWatersports · Outlaw Joined: 27 Jun 2003 Posts: 147 City: DFW

Thanks for your help.