No switches?

[parkerdog]

I finally have my cable run for my front trolling motor and now I am moving on to some lights.

I see most everyone installs switches for the different devices.

I was looking at an atwood base for a removable bow light that looks like good quality with a drain and stainless cap.

Would it be ok to put the fuse at the battery and wire it direct to the base without a switch?

That way when you wanted the light you just plugged it in. I don't have a console to place the switches on and this seemed like it would be a "cleaner" install.

Does anyone do it this way or is it not doable for some electrician reason?

 

[richg99]

It will work.

The fuse should be closest to the power source, so placing it next to the battery is the right choice.

Obviously, having a switch to turn the light off is the best choice. That switch could be placed next to the light, as well as back on the console. Rich

 

[parkerdog]

It will work.

The fuse should be closest to the power source, so placing it next to the battery is the right choice.

Obviously, having a switch to turn the light off is the best choice. That switch could be placed next to the light, as well as back on the console. Rich

I don't have a console. That's why I was wanting to do it without a switch and less holes drilled in different places. Further in the future I might put in a console but it's not in the budget this year.

 

[rusty.hook]

On my first build of my 15' G3, I built a small wood console so I could have some convenient place to mount my GPS, fish finder, bilge and lights switches. I used this setup for several months with no problems. See pics below and my drawing. Click on the drawing and it will get bigger.
I have since converted over to a center console

 

[parkerdog]

On my first build of my 15' G3, I built a small wood console so I could have some convenient place to mount my GPS, fish finder, bilge and lights switches. I used this setup for several months with no problems. See pics below and my drawing. Click on the drawing and it will get bigger.
I have since converted over to a center console

That looks really nice. I'd have to build mine out of aluminum though because the boat is in the water all the time without a cover. Next year budget!

 

[rusty.hook]

On my first build of my 15' G3, I built a small wood console so I could have some convenient place to mount my GPS, fish finder, bilge and lights switches. I used this setup for several months with no problems. See pics below and my drawing. Click on the drawing and it will get bigger.
I have since converted over to a center console

That looks really nice. I'd have to build mine out of aluminum though because the boat is in the water all the time without a cover. Next year budget!

I built mine out of cedar.