Hi Mark, Bill, guys,
Due to ignition switch related issues that I believe have affected the drivability of the boat, I have actually removed accy functions from my ignition switches and I'm dedicating them to "ignition only" and to engine functions. As for all those lights inside the housing, etc., they're very tough to reach on my 38, I have to sit on the countertop and reach deep into the darkness. It was not easy getting to those ignition switches. After looking inside, I decided to keep it simple, and just go with the basics on the ignition switches, in the name of reilability.
This blade switch, for instance, has no business being in the ignition circuit becuase it's just one more thing along the way that could cause the boat to not run or run well. This one was causing my cabin light to flicker the other night and I discovered it was loose just from use, and I tightened it up accordingly.
By taking accessory functions off my ignition switches I know I might leave a device on that could drain down the battery by doing this, but my routine is to use the main battery switch for this function to assure all systems are off except the bilge pumps.
In addition, in the past I have had some very troublesome engine gremlins that were actually traced back to the ignition switch, and the fact that it had so many other wires on it, some of which someone had added, etc. I also noticed some of the wire was not tinned, as Roy recently mentioned, and he's right........non tinned wire will corrode within it's plastic covering, and it's downright dangerous if you are using it in any kind of a critical circuit like the ignition switch. If you lose power in front of an oncoming barge, even if it's a mile away, you may still not have a chance unless the barge is powering up stream. Looking at Bill Murray out on the Ohio River in the middle of all that traffic too, just shows one more time how important the critical functions on a boat are. To lose an engine or two in some of those situations, especially when there is a strong current, could be quite dangerous.
This cool season, in between refreshments on board of course, I plan to go over the electrical box and at least simplify and consolidate some of the extra wiring that has been added over the years for stereos, lights, depth gauges, whatever. I like soldering my connections becuase I hate those crimp connections and don't think they're corrosion proof.
Cheers from Tennessee!
Paul