Re: IML: electroluminescent lighting power supply

[randalpark@xxxxxxx]

A short in the system will NOT hurt the power supply, but it will keep 
all the lamps from lighting. If you have one shorted lamp, NONE of them 
will light. If the transformer isn't grounded, NONE of them will light. 
If the cluster isn't grounded, none of the lights in the cluster will 
light. If one light is open, the other the lights will work except for 
the open one. Remember, each red needle is a separate light. If the 
transformer is good, and no lights work, and the headlight switch is 
known to be good, one lamp or more have probably shorted out. You need 
to disconnect them one at a time to find out which one it is by seeing 
when the remaining lights resume to work. Then reconnect them one at a 
time to make sure you don't have another short. Gauge needles are a 
common culprit of shorted lamps. I have had the lights work until a 
specific needle moves, and then all the lights go out. That would 
indicate a shorted needle light. Disconnecting the light wire that that 
particular gauge will allow the others to light.

If the power supply dies, it usually makes the lights grow dim over 
time, frequently they start out somewhat bright and then get very dim 
in a few minutes. I have also heard of them failing suddenly, although 
this has never happened to me. You should have an extra KNOWN TO BE 
GOOD power supply if you plan to do any work on this system. You should 
probably collect a few extra clusters/switch nameplates, etc. as well 
in case you need to work on various components.

Again, make sure that you have a good ground for both the transformer 
and the cluster (or light). Good luck!!

Paul W.

-----Original Message-----
From: Imperial59@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Tue, 6 Feb 2007 11:10 AM
Subject: Re: IML: electroluminescent lighting power supply

> My question is could I have done something wrong during my repairs 
that > would have caused the power supply to die? I'd hate to get my 
power supply > repaired only to kill it again because my system had 
problems. What should > I check for to ensure this does not happen 
again? I figure testing for > shorts would be a good idea. Any other 
suggestions?
>

A short in the wiring could take out the power supply, but mostly 
likely it is just old. The capacitors in the unit dry out over time and 
fail... Rebuild it and hope for the best!

 Steve B.


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