No, not everyone agrees that the melted socket is a symptom and not the
problem. The socket is metal-probably brass-and cannot melt. It is the
plastic parts around it somewhere that are melted. And that is due to heat.
Although that could be a wrong/oversize/overcurrent bulb, it is more likely to
be a bad connection between the socket and the bulb that created a high
resistance and heat producing point. It could be limited to the bulb, which
would be eliminated when the bulb was replaced, but I would carefully check the
socket for a bad contact, and replace it if at all in doubt. Automotive supply
stores have sockets that would probably work, at least temporarily. Be sure
there is a grounding method/wire on any improvised socket. A short/grounding
in the wiring would cause heating at the point of the short/grounding, and not
at the socket. Heating in the socket/bulb is caused by the socket/bulb.
Trust me. The check is in the mail. I will respect and call you tomorrow.
Gene
F.Y.I. (None of these definitions are the same nor interchangeable.)
Short: A "shortened" electrical path that allows excess/unintended/undesired
current to flow. Sometimes accompanied by heat/fireworks/excitement etc.
Ground: A path that allows current to flow to the ground or common side of a
circuit. Sometimes deliberate and planned. Sometimes unintended/undesired.
See "short". As in short to ground.
Open: For electrical current to do its job, it needs an outgoing path from the
power source and a return to the same source. Along the way it will encounter
control devices, switches, etc. and pass through the intended use of the power,
a light, a motor, the coil of a relay, etc. An open is any break in this
circuit that prevents the current flow.
----- Original Message -----
From: Kyle Munz
To: nighthawk_lovers@googlegroups.com
Sent: Saturday, March 21, 2009 6:42 PM
Subject: [Nighthawk Lovers] Re: Tail light melted
If the point is just to get the bike inspected as quickly as possible so you
can register it and then troubleshoot the light later, why not try taking it to
another shop? As long as it still lights up, medium while the bike is running
and full bright when you apply either brake, it should pass. I'm sure there's a
shop somewhere near you that is too busy to look too closely at the bike and
just wants to see it shine and that's it. I'm not suggesting that you don't fix
it eventually though, everyone on this list is right in saying that the melted
socket is the symptom, not the problem.
-Kyle
On Sat, Mar 21, 2009 at 7:21 PM, Javier Garcia <jajgar...@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Dick... well the light does work, however I haven't check the socket.
The guys that did the inspection told me about it. Unfortunately I don't have
any tools with me, or a nice place to work on the bike... I'll try to buy at
least some screwdrivers to check the tail light for myself. Nevertheless I
haven't found a replacement yet. Do you know where can I look for it?
Thanks
Javier
On Sat, Mar 21, 2009 at 2:32 PM, Dick MacInnes <swift...@att.net> wrote:
Javier
Does the bulb work, and does it look like it was in there when the socket
overheated? If so, it could be an earlier bulb shorted and overheated the
socket, then the previous owner just replaced the bulb.
Dick
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