Electrical Test Lamp

[wjob]

Going to do a Rectifier Test on a '87 150hp Suzuki to solve a no battery charge problem and manual refers to a self powered test lamp. When testing two certain leads says the light should light then when I reverse connection to same two leads it should not light.

Anyone familar with such a test light and where I can get one?

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Electrical Test Lamp

any test light will work
sears
home depot
lowes

 

[yamamarinetech40]

Re: Electrical Test Lamp

Justintime, I don't believe you can use a regular test light there, since a test light will light in either direction, won't show bad diode....I would just use a meter, instead.

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Electrical Test Lamp

i think u can, since power only can flow one way

 

[Ray Neudecker]

Re: Electrical Test Lamp

You may need to review your electrical info justintime. Voltage actually flows from ground and yamahamarinetech is correct. As long as both a postive and negative source are available the light will light.

 

[wjob]

Re: Electrical Test Lamp

Thought it might be helpful in resolving the test light question if I provided the entire procedure from the service manual:

Rectifier Test
1. Remove engine cover
2. Disconnect the red, white, yellow and black rectifier leads.
3. Connect a self powered test lamp between the yellow and white leads, then reverse the test lamp connections. The lamp should light in one direction but not in the other.
4. Repeat Step 3 to test the red and white, black and red and yellow and black leads.
5. If the lamp does not perform as described at any one
of the diode connections, replace the rectifier.

Comments please.

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Electrical Test Lamp

You may need to review your electrical info justintime. Voltage actually flows from ground and yamahamarinetech is correct. As long as both a postive and negative source are available the light will light.

yes but if the recitifer was broken the test light would work right?

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Electrical Test Lamp

voltage wont flow,period.
current flows.
a self powered test lamp may or may not forward bias the diodes enough depending on the lamp power supply.
most self powered lamps use a 1.5V battery which is more than sufficient to fwd bias a diode.
I prefer a decent digital meter avalible at any radio shack for less than 35 dollars to test electrical systems as you will also need it to test the stator and the output voltage.
radio shack has several decent meters that will also accept the Rapair temp coupler and the DVA adapter.
most for less than 40 dollars.
my 35 dollar meter does all the above plus a bit more.
Fluke makes an excellent meter, just dont take it swimming or you will cry.
myself I would use the manual that shows the correct wire colors and describes using a meter.
on that particular charging system I cant remember if it uses just a rectifier or a rectifier regulator assy.
the test procedures are very different.
my manuals are packed in boxes in kitty hawk NC and today I happen to be in caracas Venezuela.

 

[Ray Neudecker]

Re: Electrical Test Lamp

Ok the self powered test light wasn't mentioned earlier. rodbolt as usual is right..I haven't owned one of those animals. No need with a good meter that has a mutitude of uses. I also have never taken one of my Flukes swimming. My son has though. Must be a saltwater tech thing.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Electrical Test Lamp

I watched my tech rep cry. just after I told him his meter was in a bad spot it did a beautiful 2.5 gainer off the flywheel.
it did not survive.
myself I have not owned a self powered test lamp in close to 30 years as I consider them about useless.
but I did recently spank a group of 20 some odd americans and venezuelans at lake Guri .
a poor outboard tech nabbed an 18 pound peacock and the best they could manage was a 12 pounder.
I did get a woodchoper autographed by Jimmy Houston.

 

[Ray Neudecker]

Re: Electrical Test Lamp

Way to go on the fishing. When are you going to post some pictures?

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Electrical Test Lamp

soon, I got some video as well of the fish release after weigh in.