RE: Outside light

[Foxyladies]

 
The outside light by the door went out so I bought a new bulb but shortly after the light went out again. How do you find out if there is a short or whatever and is it dangerous if you try to do it yourself?

[Turn Key]

 Foxyladies
That s only 12 VDC at that point so it s not real dangerous.  If the new bulb didn t burn out immediatly after you put it in, I d just try another bulb.  Those things aren t the best in the world and it s not uncommen for one to fail very quickly.  If another one burns out fast, check the voltage at that point.  Should not be higher then 14 VDC at that point.
 Hope this helps.

[woodthumb]

 Foxyladies
Roseann, did the inside lights also go out ?  I had this problem last year with 12 v lights going out, then coming back on after awhile.  Thought it was the convrter and it drove me nuts for several months.  Turned out to be the connector in wiring going up the outside of the bunk end canvass. .  It had a slight tear in the insulation and when heated up , it would shut converter down.  I taped it together tightly and have had no trouble since.  Just a possibility.  Probably somethin  simple, good luck.

[Foxyladies]

 Foxyladies
Nope, I had no problem with the inside lights.....I m going to have to get another bulb but what does it mean not to have it higher than 14v.....aren t I suppose to have only 12v? Please explain

[mike4947]

 Foxyladies
Rose, 12 volts systems can have from zero to somewhere over 15 volts. Normal ,believe it or not, is right around 13 volts from a converter. Some battery chargers can put out over 15 volts during part of their charging cycles and the battery will be somewhere around 12 1/2 volts when fully charged and the voltage will drop off the more you anperage you draw from it.
 The reason they say not to exceed 14 volts is with incandescant bulbs (ones with filiments) the more voltage you have the hotter (and brighter) the filament will be. The hotter it gets the shorter it s life.

[mrflinders]

 Foxyladies
Other things that might contribute -  
 
 if the bulb socket has corrosion or the bulb is not seating well, you can get some minor arcing which will result in reduced bulb life.  Check the socket for corrosion or other dirt and make sure the bulb fits snug.
 
 You could have also just gotten a faulty replacement bulb.  
 
 If you were having a over-voltage problem then you would have noticed the interior lamps burning out as well.  
 
 Make sure you are using automotive grade bulbs that are resistant to vibration.  I think most 12V bulbs are of this type, but I have experienced cheap bulbs failing on my motorcycles because of vibration.