LED Nav Lights - polarity

[Vincentc]

I changed my running lights to LED's and am pleased; however, I did the port light while underway to Perdido when the old one burned out.

Yesterday when I did the stbd. I didn't bother looking at the instructions this time. I put it all together with butt splices, shrink wrap and caulked the new light in place - and it would not work. Had to take it all apart an find that I did not get the polarity right. I switched the wires and it worked just fine.
Something to remember if you decide to use LED's.
Regards

 

[Finalee]

Good info. Would never have thought polarity made a difference.

 

[REBrueckner]

Vince..sounds like your luck mirrors mine......if there is a 50/50 chance getting it right, I get it wrong 100% of the time by guessing....

 

[bigbill]

i changed my standard bulbs to led's, and had the same thing happen, one worked fine, the other did not light until i flipped the bulb. bigbill

 

[JimmyB]

You were a victim of the 50-50, 90-10 rule.
If there is a 50-50 chance of success, you have a 90% chance of picking the wrong one.

Jimmy