I removed all the hardware from the top cap during the process of buffing gelcoat and finish for the '87 Champion 176 I'm working on.

This included the front nav light (a 2 pin angled receptacle) which I left wired and set to the side but during my efforts the polisher got away from me and snap the wires from the 2 pins.

Now I need to see if I can knock the pins back and solder the wires back on. I have read in other boat forums that many have had to clean corrosion off these pins from time to time and used a punch to knock them out.

Assuming I am successful in knocking the pins out, my reading has also left me a little confused as to whether it really matters which wires are attached to each pin, hot vs ground.

Its just a light bulb, so i would not think it matters but wanted to ask others more experienced than myself. I could trace the wires or use volt meter to figure out hot vs ground but not sure at this point how to know what each pin was attached to.

Does it matter?

I look forward to any feedback and suggestions.

The inside socket part of the nav light comes out. Get a new one with wires attached.

I thought about this too... it looks like it would push out but wasn't certain.

It would matter I think. If reversed wouldnt he have a hot going to ground when nav light switch was turned on? Dont know for sure but its easy to check with a test light. Ground test light to another known ground. Turn on nav light switch. Touch each wire. When test light comes on you've found your hot wire. The other would be the ground wire.

On a typical light it wouldn't matter which pin you use for hot vs ground. Each ultimately go to one side or the other of the filament in the bulb. If running an LED or other type of bulb it might be a bit more picky about polarity.