<VV> Back to bulb circuit tester WAS Meter is Better

[kenpepke at juno.com]

Actually, that was the lesson that taught me to use a bulb tester.  My friend was trying to get the tail lights working on a tractor trailer rig.  With the light switch on [obviously, with the switch off there would probably be no voltage in the system] he started at the tractor end and went all the way to the light socket.  Voltage all the way with no perceptible drop ... still, no lights.  When he told me what was happening I went for the bulb circuit tester.  I started at the back and went forward while he watched the voltage at the rear socket.  I got nothing until I came to a junction block behind the tractor seat.  Cleaned that connection and the lights worked.   Now, I would check for voltage drop if the problem was a low performing starter motor ... after I cleaned and tightened the battery connections.  I would also check for excessive amperage draw.  On a circuit that just is not working at all I will stick with the bulb type circuit tester.Ken P  ************************************************
FrankCB at aol.com wrote: Ken P"

---------------------------

You are essentially correct, Ken; especially with a modern meter, which will draw so little current almost any circuit path around and through an open-circuit, (blown), will register, possibly,  full battery voltage on the load side of the fuse.b This is where, if a meter must be used, an old-fashioned, low-resistance, (read cheap), meter will give best results.

It would make sense when measuring with a meter  to have any device that was fed through the fuse switched on. so that the load's attempt to draw power would indeed cause any meter to read zero in the case of measuring on the load side of a blown fuse.

And yes, a bulb is much, much better than a meter for the job; and a buzzer, too, for those times when you are upside down in the car, head wedged underneath the dashboard, eyes having diifficulty focusing, and unable to monitor a bulb, let alone a meter.

David

'65 Monza 140 4-speed convertible in  leafy Leicestershire, heart of a wet, cold Autumnal England





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