Fireworks display ... on my boat!

[Timo42]

You twist the right wing nuts... *yks

A test light is a very handy tool, a volt meter will read 12 volts even if only 1 strand of wire is still connected or you have a lot of corrosion, a test light will be dimmer on a bad circuit, you don't want to test your circuits the other way again. a fused jumper wire or two is also a good thing to have around. Tim

 

[Bill Roosa]

Voltmeter voltage drop test

I agree Timo42, a test light and jumpers are pretty handy. A voltmeter can still give you a better idea of where your problem is and is easier to use too. Given that most of us have isolated return ground systems it is a pain to have to run the jumper all the way back to the batteries when working on the bow or up the mast. And then you will only know you have a problem in the circuit which was why you went up the mast in the first place right? A volt meter will show the connection volt drop without all the fuss.

 

[Timo42]

Both tools have their place,

but for initial testing the light eliminates a lot of guesswork, just go right down the fuseblock to check for open, if you get a light on a ground wire you have a bad ground, actually what I use now is a power probe3, has a voltmeter built in, can apply power or ground to a circuit, audible continuity tester, real long leads, even a built in light, and durable too, not cheap though. Tim

 

[BobM]

Very funny Bob V...but...

...I guess there aren't many Jaguar / other British car owners on the site to appreciate it!I bought my Wife an 1989 XJS. From what I read the only thing worse than the Lucas ignition it has would be the Marrelli (think I got that right) which had some even more interesting issues.My fault...I should have done more homework before giving in to the Wife's whim. I have come to learn the three truisms regarding Jag ownership.(1) If you have to ask "how much will it cost to fix it" you aren't mechanically inclined enough or rich enough to own one.(2) Most mechanics wouldn't pee on one if it was on fire, never mind work on it.(3) The phrase "British Engineering" is ALWAYS accompanied by an expletive.I no longer wonder why the Germans built the first truly successful jet. The British one probably had too many water pumps and bad wiring.Sorry to pervert the purpose of the forum, but I couldn't resist.Bob

 

[KorculaChris]

As an ex-pat Brit... *pop

...I should be taking exception to all this. However, I'm not!While there have been some phenomenal strides taken by Britain in the engineering fields, all too often the term "British Engineering" is an oxymoron; at least, some morons needed oxy(gen) before bringing stuff to market! *yks