Electrical problems again. any electricians?

[Kradmelder]

Arrg, start of christmas holidays and the lights in my bar not working. They were wired to a dimmer switch. I took off the dimmer and put on an old switch I had. they lights worked perfectly for a few hours, now are off again.

It doesnt trip the circuit or anything. It is the standard 2 wire, red and black wire. the hot live, and the power to lights.

I know I know put a multimeter across the 2. Dont have one here. I called 2 electricians and both have there phones off and are gone for the holidays. I dont want to fetch my beer in the dark until Jan

any ideas what the problem could be?
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2011 KTM 990 Dakar
2009 BMW 1200 GS

[P.addy]

No white wires... there is your problem..

[Kradmelder]

[J4mes]

tried putting the dimmer switch back in to test if the circuit is ok or if it's just the standard switch that is faulty?

[Kradmelder]

[J4mes]

Either that or quickly borrow a switch off another light circuit and try it.

Normally in this situation I just grab a thick bit of wire with insulated pliers and jab it across the terminals to see if the lights come on, but the main risks are fire and electrocution so I wouldn't suggest you try it!

[Walloper]

Nip out to the shops and buy a freakin lamp for 30R.

You tight fisted Dutchman you.
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W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[nowhere.elysium]

[uberkron]

Are you running filament lamps only? No halogen lamps on switchmode supplies? No compact fluros? Those dimmers are fairly rugged. Most are only 300watt. And yeah buy a cheap multimeter, with your amount of electrical woe it would help.
I can shout suggestions on how to use it too!
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i ride a zip 50 2smoke. It overtakes a hundred times a day.

[uberkron]

Are you running filament lamps only? No halogen lamps on switchmode supplies? No compact fluros? Those dimmers are fairly rugged. Most are only 300watt. And yeah buy a cheap multimeter, with your amount of electrical woe it would help.
I can shout suggestions on how to use it too!
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i ride a zip 50 2smoke. It overtakes a hundred times a day.

[Kradmelder]

[Walloper]

[Kradmelder]

[Kradmelder]

[Kradmelder]

[uberkron]

Yeah dimmers work with very few fluros. There are dimmable ones but you pay for the privilege.
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i ride a zip 50 2smoke. It overtakes a hundred times a day.

[Kradmelder]

[nowhere.elysium]

[Kradmelder]

[nowhere.elysium]

Sounds like the ants you get are a little more imposing than the ones we're used to over here.

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Hc27foH9KAw/TOE7YZeUmZI/AAAAAAAADq4/LdvCqgefzak/s400/them.jpg
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'10 SV650SF, '83 GS650GT (it lives!), Questionable DIY dash project, 3D Printer project, Lasercutter project

[lihp]

If you have a terminal strip, just connect the 2 wires together and flick the breaker on see if it works.

[Kradmelder]

[Kradmelder]

No power across the 2 wires at the switch. I took off both light fittings and no loose wire there either.
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2011 KTM 990 Dakar
2009 BMW 1200 GS

[russeleoin]

Big Jessie, like all Vaalies, shoot the damned birds and rats. The Myna is a pest. Next thing you will tell me you are a bass fisherman!
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I love classic merc's but bikes take up less space.
Current ride is a Yamaha YB 100 and I love it! Oooow and now a running GPZ400R!
Next stop, Direct Access hopefully by the end of summer.

[unitynotsocri...]

Run two power wires temporily from battery to lamp wires,fuse the red..live..positive, the lights should work, and you can at least isolate the roof rat problem,n check the switch relay.its common on veichles to use the metal chassis as an earth wire,so its easy to use a 12volt small bulb beteen chassis n live wire to check if power is present.
your bar lamps should be earthed to an actual earth wire,rather than bolted to bar or chassis,
a multimeter with a continuity buzzer is great,you can test wires n circuits for breaks n bad connections,,,,when buying second hand parts u can test they work before you buy em,,,good luck with the tree rats.....just ad young scabby fox stroll past me in my sleeping bag three foot away ,like u n the tree rats in SA,, we have an understanding of difference
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nearly a normal tax paying tosser.......with ferrileness suzi100,cg125,cb125scb100n,cb175,cd100,cj250t,kh250,c15,125 bantam,super 6,rickman gs750,xt500,250rs,dt175,lifan125,dolomite1850,metro,Morris220ld,morrisfg,leyland princess,range rover,corsa,vw camper .now struggling with legs. MORE ORDER = MORE CHAOS