The ignition switch housing on my CD27 just fell apart. This is a two position switch, (On/Off, 2 terminals) and I have a separate start button. I am having difficulty finding a marine two position ignition switch. I can get several marine three position switches, (Off/On/Start, 3 terminals). Can I use a three position switch and simply leave the "start" terminal unconnected? Will the three position switch then act as a two position switch? Thanks.
andrus@sprintmail.com
Ignition Switch ???
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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D. Stump, Hanalei
Re: Ignition Switch ???
Al,
Had the same problem on Hanalei (CD-30, Universal diesel) last year. Found the almost exact replacement switch at West Marine. CAUTION, when you wire in the new switch make sure you do it correctly. There are three wires(two to one terminal and one to the other), and if you wire it wrong you could cause the glow plugs to be energized whenever the key is turned to ON. This will very rapidly discharge your batteries! I know, I did it! Kind of embarassing to head into port, drop the sails, go to start the engine and NOTHING! SeaTow got a call for that one. Anyhow, it isn't difficult to replace.....
Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30
Had the same problem on Hanalei (CD-30, Universal diesel) last year. Found the almost exact replacement switch at West Marine. CAUTION, when you wire in the new switch make sure you do it correctly. There are three wires(two to one terminal and one to the other), and if you wire it wrong you could cause the glow plugs to be energized whenever the key is turned to ON. This will very rapidly discharge your batteries! I know, I did it! Kind of embarassing to head into port, drop the sails, go to start the engine and NOTHING! SeaTow got a call for that one. Anyhow, it isn't difficult to replace.....
Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30
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Larry DeMers
Re: Ignition Switch ???
Dave & Al,
If you replace a two terminal switch with a two terminal switch (they are available from West Marine) there should be no cornfusion..it's when the swwitch is a three position switch with a Normally closed contact that the cornfusion begins to creep in.
Dave..your glow plugs should be drawing off of either the house bank or the starter bank, but certainly not both. Then the glow plug would have drained only one battery, leaving the second battery still good for starting..and saving that SeaTow call. Check that battery selector switch so you can prevent this from happening again.
Cheers and Fine Sailing,
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30
demers@sgi.com
If you replace a two terminal switch with a two terminal switch (they are available from West Marine) there should be no cornfusion..it's when the swwitch is a three position switch with a Normally closed contact that the cornfusion begins to creep in.
Dave..your glow plugs should be drawing off of either the house bank or the starter bank, but certainly not both. Then the glow plug would have drained only one battery, leaving the second battery still good for starting..and saving that SeaTow call. Check that battery selector switch so you can prevent this from happening again.
Cheers and Fine Sailing,
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30
D. Stump, Hanalei wrote: Al,
Had the same problem on Hanalei (CD-30, Universal diesel) last year. Found the almost exact replacement switch at West Marine. CAUTION, when you wire in the new switch make sure you do it correctly. There are three wires(two to one terminal and one to the other), and if you wire it wrong you could cause the glow plugs to be energized whenever the key is turned to ON. This will very rapidly discharge your batteries! I know, I did it! Kind of embarassing to head into port, drop the sails, go to start the engine and NOTHING! SeaTow got a call for that one. Anyhow, it isn't difficult to replace.....
Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30
demers@sgi.com
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Chris Reinke
Re: Ignition Switch ???
Al -- YES
You can replace a two position switch with a three position switch. The third position is usually spring loaded for temporary use only and is used to energize your starter circuit. This function will continue to be performed by your starter button. You could replace your starter button by rerouting the starter wires to the third switch position, but your preheat glow plug switch would need to remain.
I actually replaced the three position switch in my 1972 VW with an old tractor two position switch and started button.
You can replace a two position switch with a three position switch. The third position is usually spring loaded for temporary use only and is used to energize your starter circuit. This function will continue to be performed by your starter button. You could replace your starter button by rerouting the starter wires to the third switch position, but your preheat glow plug switch would need to remain.
I actually replaced the three position switch in my 1972 VW with an old tractor two position switch and started button.
Al Andrus wrote: The ignition switch housing on my CD27 just fell apart. This is a two position switch, (On/Off, 2 terminals) and I have a separate start button. I am having difficulty finding a marine two position ignition switch. I can get several marine three position switches, (Off/On/Start, 3 terminals). Can I use a three position switch and simply leave the "start" terminal unconnected? Will the three position switch then act as a two position switch? Thanks.