Current draw of lighted toggle switches?

[get-the-net]

I have a question for you all.

I just put in a new toggle switch bank in my boat which features lighted switches for the bilge,livewell,int lights, running lights, etc. The problem is they stay lit all the time even when each switch is off. Do any of you guys have toggle switches like these and if so do you worry about them running your battery out? I thought I had it solved when I linked all the other switches to the main "power" one so when I shut it off all the other lighted switches went out. But the "power" switch stays lit. Do I need to install an unlighted "master" switch to cut the power from the battery altogether? I feel like I'm just adding more things that can go wrong. For now I unhooked the battery. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you

[Macgyver55]

Are you sure they are wired correctly? Most lighted switches can be wired either way to be on all the time or to go off with the accessory. Check that first.

[Valv]

I am sure you wired them incorrectly, they are supposed to stay not lighted when switch is off.

[Old School]

I have switches with lights and they only light up when there on and goes off when turned off. Macgyver55 & Val are right I would recheck your wiring, something is not right.

OldSchool

[18 inch Crappie]

The switches in my boat only light up when I have the boat lights on, Not when the switch it self is on. So there may be more then one way to hook them up.

[Norsky]

The switches are not wired correctly.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Check the continuity of the switches you most likely are supply battery power to the wrong pin. Two pins should have continuity all the time nomatter what the position of the switch, usually the center pin and the pin on the bottom (bottom refering to the pin under the toggle when off) Two pins will only have continuity with the switch on, usaully the center and top pin. My guess is you have the power from the battery going to the center pin as in the first diagram below. this is the only way I can figure that the switch light could be on all the time. It should be wired like the second diagram. when the switch is open there is no power getting to the light in the switch.

Please remember to always fuse battery power before it gets to the switch.

Personally I like to wire all my switches on the ground side this way all the current is used be the device I am powering leaving little current draw through the switch. The switch stays cool, stand little chance of burning up, and will last a lot longer. Although I have not personally done a lighted switch this way I am pretty shure it would be wired like the third diagram.

[get-the-net]

Airjer,

Thanks so much for all the help. You even included diagrams! Another problem solved by the fishing mn family.