any electrical whizzes out there?
04-17-2003 | 11:27 PM
#11
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 513
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From: Abita Springs, La.
Ground your '-' lead of a voltmeter at the BATTERY post with a long ground wire. Check for voltage at the '+' side of a light or other device that isn't working.
If you don't read 12 volts, check back at the device switch and from there back to the fuse/breaker panel.
If you do read voltage, check at the '-' terminal- if you still read 12 volts you have a bad ground. The voltage will be the same at both terminals if there is an open ground. if you read some low value, such as 3 or 4 volts, you have a dirty ground connection.
You can now check by disconnecting the voltmeter and connect the long ground wire to the ground terminal of the light. Just make sure you connect to the correct terminal.
Bulldog- BSEE, PE
If you don't read 12 volts, check back at the device switch and from there back to the fuse/breaker panel.
If you do read voltage, check at the '-' terminal- if you still read 12 volts you have a bad ground. The voltage will be the same at both terminals if there is an open ground. if you read some low value, such as 3 or 4 volts, you have a dirty ground connection.
You can now check by disconnecting the voltmeter and connect the long ground wire to the ground terminal of the light. Just make sure you connect to the correct terminal.
Bulldog- BSEE, PE
