Comment

Comment by Don Herbel on June 14, 2013 at 9:20pm

Thanks, James.  I couldn't find a cheap multi-meter that would display more than 10dca, so I planned to remove a least one bulb alternating between left and right wing.  In the meantime, I found a mechanical circuit breaker/ switch rated at 15 amps and placed it in series and discovered all three lights worked fine.  Using formulaes to calculate max current draw for 16 gauge wire works out to 22 amps.  All is good.

Comment by James R Depfer Sr. on June 2, 2013 at 1:35pm

I forgot to say, check current with no bulbs. Current flow would then indicate a short. If the bulbs are all the same size, they should each draw about the same amount.

Comment by James R Depfer Sr. on June 2, 2013 at 1:31pm

If its not too difficult why not try connecting your multimeter in series with the CB and check the actual current draw. Although not too likely, its possible the CB is bad. Check too with one bulb at a time and see if one draws too much current.

Comment by Don Herbel on June 2, 2013 at 8:27am

Thanks, Henry. I ran additional checks yesterday. Multimeter test did not reveal any shorts. I ran 16 gauge wire for the nav lights when I built the wings.  By removing one wing tip bulb, breaker will not trip and powers the tail light and the other wing light fine.  Doesn't matter which wing tip bulb is removed, other one works fine. If all three bulbs are connected, the breaker trips.

Comment by Henry N Schulman on June 2, 2013 at 6:52am

Check for a short to ground. Also verify wire size, a 10 amp breaker should protect 18 gauge or better