Masthead light repair

[Irishmike]

my masthead light and steaming light are not lighting. Besides replacing the bulbs is there a way to check if power is getting to the sockets with the mast up . Can I use a clamp multimeter to detect current in the line?

 

[BigEasy]

That's going to require a trip up the mast and check voltage at the wires ends and then check the terminals.

 

[jssailem]

Irish, Clamp meter would need to read DC current. Not all can.
Most of the time the issue with DC lights on a boat is the connections. Only way you are going to know is go up the mast or take the mast down and inspect the connections and bulbs. If you can access the lines at the mast base you can test the line from the mast base to the DC panel for continuity and if you can separate the wires at the base you can check the circuit up the mast for continuity. Short of that there is going to the top and inspecting the connections.

 

[dLj]

The difficulty with measuring current is if the bulb is blown, you won't have current, but you also won't know the problem. If there is a wiring problem, it would appear the same. Any break in the circuit will give you a no current reading.

You either drop the mast or climb the mast...

dj