Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 29-05-2013, 16:24   #1
VVD
Registered User

Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Sint Maarten / Saint Martin
Boat: Caliber47LRC - MAKAI
Posts: 78
Bow light problem no amps

We have a Hella bi-color bow light. We checked the voltage on the connectors and it reads all 11.5V all around. Our new 25W bulb does not work when put into the bow. We checked this new bulb on another 12V outlet and it works. However our LED 1W bulb does work. Where should we look for the problem. We get the voltage but not the amps.. P=V*I
Any help would be appreciated, thanks
VVD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-05-2013, 16:33   #2
Registered User

Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: ontario canada
Boat: grampian 26
Posts: 1,743
Re: Bow light problem no amps

Compare the contact points of the old bulb with the new one to see if they match. I ran into the same problem on my boat.
perchance is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-05-2013, 16:41   #3
Moderator
 
Jim Cate's Avatar

Join Date: May 2008
Location: cruising SW Pacific
Boat: Jon Sayer 1-off 46 ft fract rig sloop strip plank in W Red Cedar
Posts: 21,155
Re: Bow light problem no amps

Sounds like a high resistance connection somewhere in the supply or return circuit. That would show full voltage under no load whilst measuring w/o the bulb but having too much voltage drop when the 2+ amps required by the bulb try to flow. The current drawn by the LED is much lower, so much less voltage drop, plus some LED lamps will run well down to 10 V or so, so it appears to perform normally.

Test: put the 25 watt bulb in and measure the voltage at the pins. If it is a voltage drop issue it will be easily seen.

Cheers,

Jim
__________________
Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II, lying Port Cygnet Tasmania once again.
Jim Cate is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-05-2013, 16:51   #4
VVD
Registered User

Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Sint Maarten / Saint Martin
Boat: Caliber47LRC - MAKAI
Posts: 78
Re: Bow light problem no amps

Thanks. The bulbs and connections are the same.
VVD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 29-05-2013, 16:53   #5
VVD
Registered User

Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Sint Maarten / Saint Martin
Boat: Caliber47LRC - MAKAI
Posts: 78
Re: Bow light problem no amps

Thanks Jim, we will search and check the circuit.
VVD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2013, 03:16   #6
Registered User

Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: canada
Posts: 4,642
Re: Bow light problem no amps

is that 11.5v with the bulb in? or with the bulb out?

measure with the bulb in. I bet it's a lot lower. probably 0. that means you have a bad wire or connection.

the led one is probably like 8-9v and barly working.
smac999 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 19:11.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.