Will this cause me any trouble?

[flynmike]

I miss having an indicator light for the water pump. My newish to me classic doesn't have one. I've located the wires and tested to confirm if I hook up a 12 volt light to the power supply wires for the pump I'll have an indicator when the power to the pump is on....it's probably elementary electric 101 but I don't want to cause a problem.

Mike

[lewster]

Hi Mike,

It should not pose any problems, but I have a simpler solution. Why don't you get a lighted switch for the water pump if possible. this way, you only have to connect the light with-in the switch to ground, and it will come on whenever the switch is activated, but jumping a light across the hot lead for the pump will laso work....just a little more wiring to do.

[flynmike]

Thanks Lew

I'd thought about that but there are two switches, one galley and one in the head. I'm going to put the light on the wall in the galley...the wire run will be easy and the light will be very visible during my preflight checklist. Thanks for the reply. I wasn't sure if putting the light in line might cause some ohmage to change the pump functions but I guess not.

Mike

[thecatsandi]

I am constantly leaving the pump on. I installed an LED indicator in the systems monitor panel right next to the switch. I got it from West marine in Destin while at the Can Opener. The inspiration was seeing Rich and Eleanor Luhr's trailer. I also installed indicator for my outside lights. I was leaving them on too. The hot line was on the line to the pump. Purple off the switch I believe. Ground I put between the aluminum panel near the srew and tightened down. THe one thing I do not understand is why AS down not install the unit that has the lighted indicator switch.

[nickcrowhurst]

Originally Posted by flynmike

I wasn't sure if putting the light in line might cause some ohmage to change the pump functions but I guess not

Mike, if by "in line", you mean "in series", then yes, you will have a problem. A high resistance indicator light should go "in parallel" to the pump. If the light was in series you would have a voltage drop, and if the light bulb failed, the pump would not work. I expect you knew that, but the phrase "putting the light in line" made me wonder.
Nick.

[flynmike]

My plan is to hook the light to the hot and ground wires at the pump so that when the pump has power, the light has power...I won't change any wiring and I'm going to Radio Shack shortly to get a nice LED.

Michelle, I took that panel out and did some testing and couldn't seem to come up with a combination that would work, probably because of the two way switching. I have pump switch at the galley and one in the head...with that switching I think my plan "A" is most simple...which is best for me

By the way Michelle, I enjoyed your website!

[thecatsandi]

If your classic is like mine. One of the wires from the three way switch goes to the pump. the others go the the switch in the bathroom. The power source for the pump is in the bathroom. I was not about to go fishing any wires around. I had every thing I needed right there at the panel.
Just and LED will not work. It needs a resistor in series with the LED or it will over drive it.
West Marine: LED Indicator Lights Product Display