Product Description

Backlit Rocker Switch – Hatch

This genuine Carling rocker switch labeled “Hatch” is manufactured by laser marking, NOT printing.   Laser technology allows for a stunning backlight effect.  It is a great upgrade to our popular Contura II style Hatch rocker switch.

This is a momentary (ON)-OFF-(ON) switch meant to raise and lower a hatch door.  It is Double Pole Double Throw (DPDT) and can be wired to reverse polarity on an electric motor or send 12V dc to one load or another.

This product is the ENTIRE SWITCH combo and includes both the switch body and the labeled cover.  Find the laser-etched Hatch switch cover sold separately here.

Switch Features:

• Stunning readability in the dark
• Dual lamps – top backlight, bottom indicator light
• 4 illumination color options: warm white, cool white, blue or red
• Laser-etched – no ink to wear off

How Does the Backlighting Work?

• Laser marking the cover allows light to be visible only where we have marked
• Text and symbol markings illuminate – not the normal ink over a lens
• Top light is an externally triggered backlight – normally wired to the nav light circuit
• Bottom light is now the indicator.  It lights when the switch is on

(read more about how our illuminated rocker switches work here)

Rocker Switch Tech Specs:

• Voltage Rating: 12Vdc
• Current Rating: 20A
• Circuit: DPDT
• Position: (ON)-OFF-(ON)
• Water Protection: IP68 (waterproof to >1m submersion)
• Terminal Count: 10
• Terminal Style: 0.250″ Quick Connect (spades)
• Body P/N: VLd2-U66B (warm white variant)
• Contact Life: 150,000 cycles
• Lamp Life: 10,000 hours (warm white variant, 100,000 hours red, blue, cool white)

Translation: An exceptionally high-quality rocker switch.  Genuine Carling Technologies – no knock-offs.  This switch will last in the harsh marine environment for years to come.

Download the full spec sheet here

How Our Switches Are Better:

1. Genuine Carling switches – We’ll never try and pass off cheap Chinese knock-offs like some of our competitors. You’ve probably seen other sites list a switch as “fits carling”… that’s a red flag.  All our switches are the genuine article.  And like all cheaply made counterfeits, you CAN tell the difference.
2. Night Illumination – Unlike printing, our laser marking technology allows stunning readability in the dark.
3. Support – We know this product inside and out and are happy to help our customers.  Need help wiring up one of our products, call us… seriously: (843) 297-8348
4. Guarantee – While Carling does not offer a warranty, we’re so confidant in the quality; that if your switch breaks within 2 years, you can return it for a free replacement!

Will It Fit?

This rocker switch will replace any Carling V-series or Contura style rocker switch.  That includes Contura style switches sold by Carling, Sierra, Blue Sea Systems, Sea-Dog, etc.  It uses an industry-standard 1.45″  x 0.83″ mounting hole.

Wiring Info & Wiring Diagram:

This rocker switch has 10 terminals on the back:

1. 12V input [pole 1] – terminal 2
2. 12V output [pole 1, switch up] – terminal 3
3. 12V output [pole 1, switch down] – terminal 1
4. 12V input [pole 2] – terminal 5
5. 12V output [pole 2, switch up] – terminal 6
6. 12V output [pole 2, switch down] – terminal 4
7. negative source (top light) – terminal 7
8. lamp positive source (top light) – terminal 8
9. negative source (bottom light) – Terminal 9
10. lamp positive source (bottom light) – terminal 10

A hard copy of the wiring diagram will be shipped with this switch.  You can also find it in the product images above, or download a PDF wiring diagram here.

Accessories:

• Mounting Panels: End, Middle, Single
• Switch Gasket
• Quick Connect Terminals

On Contura Styles and Colors:

This Hatch illuminated rocker switch is a special Contura V style made to be laser engraved, as pictured above.  It is a similar shape, but different texture and appearance than Contura V switches that are meant to be printed.  As you can see in the images there is no lens… the etching actually becomes the lens.  So generally folks do not mix and match these switches, even among printed Contura Vs.

We carry this switch with warm white incandescent lamps or red, blue, cool white LEDs.  The illumination only affects the lighting, not the color of the engraving.  Blue and cool white is our most bright color, followed by warm white, then red is the least bright.