Trailer lights work......sorta

[cyclops2]

Re: Trailer lights work......sorta

I have so little faith in modern electronics that I tapped off of each car light function in my car & ran each one thru a quick blowing fuse on a fuse holding strip. Well covered in the car trunk liners. A short after the trunk lid blows a fuse. Can not see smoking my cars wiring for a trailer lightbulb.

I did have a ammeter to find the exact current drawn by each bulb.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Trailer lights work......sorta

I just love problems. No Kidding. I love the challenge.
I've been an electronics tech for 40 years and still am amazed at how it is still a challenge.
The way thing can go wrong is unlimited.

Trouble Shooting Rule#3 = Knowing what you don't know, is more important than what you do know.

Bill.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Trailer lights work......sorta

All rules are overruled by Cyclops all seeing rule # 1.


" Better to be lucky, than to have all the knowledge & experience, since time began. "

 

[hrdwrkingacguy]

Re: Trailer lights work......sorta

It's not really that big of a mystery...Its a principal I use many times a day, every day in my job...When you know what you should have, its pretty easy to figure out what you don't...This is a really simple problem...First you test with a meter or light(meter being better) the trucks plug...If all the wires are doing what they should be, then you work your way back to the lights on the trailer...Test each circuit path...Where you lose the circuit is where your problem is...if you get all the way to the bulb holder and ground and you have what you expect guess what, bad or wrong bulb...

All day in my job people call me asking questions that don't understand what they should have, so they have no idea why something is not doing what they expect...Any electrical circuit(in general) is a source -> path -> switch -> load -> return path...

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Trailer lights work......sorta

Thanks again for all input fellas. I haven't had much time to fiddle with it lately, but I'll let you know what I find. Thanks again.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Trailer lights work......sorta

Update. Hey fellas. So after getting a probe tester. It turns out all the circuits work correctly. Somehow both bulbs had blown their secondary filament that is used for the brakes/blinker. I'm not sure how or why they both blew at the same time, but I replaced the bulbs and all seem swell now. All the lights now work as they should, so I think I'll let sleeping dogs lie for now. I'll let you know if I have any more problems. Thanks again for all the help and patience. Now I think I'll take the 14' tinny out tomorrow and enjow some of this wonderful, winter weather; 70+ and not a clound in the sky..........Gotta love FLA Cheers!

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Trailer lights work......sorta

Glad it's working again. Hope you got some extra bulbs.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Trailer lights work......sorta

On both bulbs being out at the same time.
1. Perhaps one went out and you didn't notice. Then the other went out. My daughter's car had all 3 (left, right, collision avoidance) out on her car. Tech convinced her it had to be a switch. He never checked.

2. When the filaments are lit, they are weaker against mechanical shock. If you slap a good bump with the brake lights on, often they will all burn out.

3. And last but not least, Murphy is always there somewhere.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Trailer lights work......sorta

Thanks Admiral. I just went and checked it again and it worked! That's twice in one day! LOL. At least I got to learn how to use a circuit tester, which was cool. I got a 3 pack at HF that came with a 6V/12V Circuit tester (primarily for battery/automotive powered items, I think?), an 18/324/36 AC/DC Circuit tester (not sure when/where I would use that one?), and a Continuity tester (not sure what that one is for yet either). I obviously to have a lot to learn t say the least. At least I didn't electrocute myself or burn down the house, so it's a start. Hopefully, I can start to learn a bit about electronics in general. I really don't use them much on the water, but it would be good to know about them all the same. Thanks again!!! Happy boating!

 

[water world]

Re: Trailer lights work......sorta

check grounds, if trailer has swing away could be loss of ground

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Trailer lights work......sorta

check grounds, if trailer has swing away could be loss of ground

water world - welcome aboard. Please do us all a favor and read a thread before posting. It's been fixed so no need for more suggestions. I know you found this via some kind of search, but please read the thread.