Lower voltage found in the sleeper conpartment

Discussion in 'Western Star Forum' started by uncleal13, Jan 12, 2016.

  1. Jan 12, 2016 #1
    uncleal13

    uncleal13 Road Train Member

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    Humboldt, Sk
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    2013 4900SF
    So for entertainment purposes I got a cigarette lighter USB port that has a volt meter on it.
    Up front it reads 13.9 volts, but back in the sleeper it's reading from 12.6, 13.1 or 13.9 volts depending on when the fridge kicks in and how many lights I have turned on.
    Looks like I have some troubleshooting to do this weekend. About a month ago I noticed that the lights would flicker when the fridge kicked in, it didn't do that so noticeably before. I just checked for loose connections around the low voltage disconnect under the bed, but all seemed good.
    Anyone run into this?
     
    uncleal13, Jan 12, 2016
    uncleal13, Jan 12, 2016
    #1
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  3. Jan 12, 2016 #2
    clausland

    clausland Road Train Member

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    Fridge draws a lot of amps...Those wires feeding that circuit are likely 14 or even 16 gauge, too much resistance for the load, too small a wire....Upgrading to 12 or 10 gauge will eliminate that voltage drop...
     
    clausland, Jan 12, 2016
    clausland, Jan 12, 2016
    #2
  4. Jan 13, 2016 #3
    Animosus

    Animosus Heavy Load Member

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    If your unit is equipped with a low voltage disconnect module that could be the cause of the varying voltage. Since it has everything separated into different circuits so as battery voltage drops it can start cutting circuits.
     
    Animosus, Jan 13, 2016
    Animosus, Jan 13, 2016
    #3
  5. Jan 13, 2016 #4
    uncleal13

    uncleal13 Road Train Member

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    Now I know why my Webasto wouldn't start when it was real cold out. The dealer had it wired to the LVD, I moved it direct to the batteries, works good this year. So yeah, I'll check for voltage drop to the LVD and see what the wire size is.
     
    uncleal13, Jan 13, 2016
    uncleal13, Jan 13, 2016
    #4
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