Really weird electrical issue

[ndtiger]

I have a 2011 Palomono Sabre 32BHOK. It has a lamp mounted on the wall behind the sofa. Both bulbs burned out. They are the bulbs that you put in and make a 1/4 twist to set. They have the 2 small nipples on them. Anyway...I get new bulbs and put them in. When I hit the switch to turn them on, the light over the dinette and the light over the couch turn off. The lamp does nothing. I hit the switch again and both of those come on. I remove the bulbs and everything works normally.

What gives?????

[Len & Cheri]

Are the nipples different distances from the end of the bulb? Are you sure you are installing the bulb correctly if the distance is different? Sounds like they are inserted wrong and it's shorting out the other lights.

[Len & Cheri]

Is it like the nipples on this bulb (circled area)?

[ndtiger]

i will have to check when I get home Are they all like that or just some? I got mine at home depot under lanscape lighting. I have used thee for the outside lights before

[cfsoistman]

Originally Posted by ndtiger

i will have to check when I get home Are they all like that or just some? I got mine at home depot under lanscape lighting. I have used thee for the outside lights before

The bulbs used should be 12 Volt bulbs found in the Automotive areas in WalMart or any Auto parts store. There are numbers on the side of the bulb and the replacement should have the same number. Landscaping Bulbs being used may be the reason for the Weird Occurrences.

[TURBS]

Sounds to me like a ground.

[Emptypockets]

Originally Posted by LFugate

Is it like the nipples on this bulb (circled area)?

Most bulbs in that type of light only have one element - if you are using the type pictured that is probably your problem.

[Len & Cheri]

True, it should be a single element bulb. Can't remember if I've ever seen a single element with offset nipples.

[Emptypockets]

Originally Posted by LFugate

True, it should be a single element bulb. Can't remember if I've ever seen a single element with offset nipples.

Retired truck driver here & I have never seen a single element bulb with off set nipples either.

[Rod Johnson]

Originally Posted by LFugate

True, it should be a single element bulb. Can't remember if I've ever seen a single element with offset nipples.

Originally Posted by Emptypockets

Retired truck driver here & I have never seen a single element bulb with off set nipples either.

yep, because the dual element bulbs have different wattage filaments, like say a 3W running light and a 7W turnsignal. The nipples keep you from putting it in wrong and having the wrong filament light up.

We've seen it happen though. Driving down the street at night behind somebody. All of their tail lights are on, except one is really bright. Thats because he got the bulb jammed in socket wrong.

Hope for the original poster that its the wrong bulbs, that would be an easy fix.

[Freds342]

Marine 12-V lamps have two nipples. The "shell" is isolated from the filament, and the connection to the filament is thru the two nipples.

If one of these is replaced with an automotive, dual filament lamp, it will cause exactly this problem.

Perhaps they installed marine lamps in this Palomino?

[jimh]

my first thought was ground but if all was working properly and the bulbs just burnt out, i would say u used the wrong type replacement bulb. try removing a bulb from one of the other lamps and installing it in socket that had the burnt out one and see if the problem goes away.
if u had a short, i would suspect a fuse to blow.

when u swap bulbs around, leave the socket empty that u pull the bulb from. if all works, then make note of the number on the bulb and replace with that type.

the bulbs can be bought at an automotive store but the ones used in RVs have a different number and run cooler. the automotive light will work but if u have close fitting plastic covers over the lights, they will melt them.

[RichieD]

1157 bulb vs. 1156 bulb
1157 should have offset pins for dual elements (turn signal and running light)
1156 should only have one element with even pins

[realebill]

Originally Posted by richludden

1157 bulb vs. 1156 bulb
1157 should have offset pins for dual elements (turn signal and running light)
1156 should only have one element with even pins

bulbs in all the light fixtures in my older rv were #1141. single contact,12vt.