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Topic: Inside Lights Dim (Read 650 times) previous topic - next topic

Inside Lights Dim

We have a 2008 Foretravel Nimbus and are having an issue whenever we turn on our lights inside the coach they become dim.some times the florescent lights will not come on till you turn some of the other lights off first.

Re: Inside Lights Dim

Reply #1 –
Sounds like low voltage to me. Check voltage at coach batteries with digital meter. If low, check isolator for operation. Check the alternator for output.

Bet is does not happen with the generator running (how does the generator start?) or if connected to shore power.

Florescent lights are much more sensitive to low voltage than LEDs so good indication when they won't come on. Incandescents just get dimmer and dimmer as the voltage drops.

I installed dual digital voltmeters on the dash so can tell instantly if something either is wrong or going wrong with the electrical system. Plug in voltmeters in the lighter sockets will give voltage reading for coach or engine battery (plug on the dash is engine). Cheap investment.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Inside Lights Dim

Reply #2 –
If it's only happening with house battery power (no generator, or not plugged in) likely bad batteries. As Pierce said could be a chargeing problem you need to check voltages at the house batts, 1st with coach plugged in, then with engine running, then generator running, you should have between 13.5-14.50 volts with any of the 3 running (one at a time). If not there is a problem with the isolator, inverter/charger or connections.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Inside Lights Dim

Reply #3 –
Thanks Barry and Pierce/Gaylie for the information  I noticed that when I first start the coach even still hooked up to shore power the voltmeter on the dash surges from 12 to 14 for awhile.  Tomorrow I will try with the generator and disconnected from shore power then let you know. 

Re: Inside Lights Dim

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Georgee & Lu-Lu –
We have a 2008 Foretravel Nimbus and are having an issue whenever we turn on our lights inside the coach they become dim.some times the florescent lights will not come on till you turn some of the other lights off first.

If you turn one light on it's fine, turn another light on and both go out then that could be a sign of corroded wiring or a poor connection early in the wiring from the batteries.

It's pretty cheap to go to the batteries, disconnect them, and dress the posts (there is a tool for that at your local auto parts dealer) and the connectors (same tool).

I had a 1970 Carver Santa Cruz sport boat that all the wiring had become corroded and that exhibited the one-light-ok, two-lights-none symptoms.. Rather than replace all the wiring I installed LED lighting. Because LEDs draw so much less current - and current is what corroded wiring resists - all my lights would work at the same time. A loose connection can behave in exactly the same way.

In general I reccommend installing a Trimetric 2025 which is a basic instrument that does a number of things. It tells you how much current is flowing out of (or into) your house batteries, how much power you have used since charging, how much power you have left, etc. It can also tell you the voltage of your start bank (but not the charging details). For about $150 it's a good investment.

Craig

1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Inside Lights Dim

Reply #5 –
Thanks Craig for the information.  We will let you know what we find out. 
 

Re: Inside Lights Dim

Reply #6 –
Check the ground could be your problem
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport