Electrical Problem

[Bdobbs86]

Hello everyone,

Posted in here a couple days ago and got some very prompt help. I'm hoping for the same. I'm running a very simple electrical system that is essentially like the post from Joanne on this page. 110 AH battery to master fuse/switch to Parallax circuit board to some outlets, a fan, and some dome lights. I was checking everything to make sure I understood how things worked and I wired it properly. Connected the fuse and the wires to the dome light. Connected the dome light. Success. Did this a couple different times as I checked out a few of the different outlets. Everything looked good. I went to permanently set it up just now and got it working. Went to connect the wires to the dome light and forgot the connectors. Went, grabbed connectors, and the whole system shut down. I can get the light to work if I just tap them to the battery tops. Same thing with the end of the battery wires that would be connected to the circuit board. But when I tap them on the circuit board to check there, I get no juice. I've tried using fresh wire, setting it up a few times, and I'm absolutely stuck. I can't get any sort of electricity from the circuit board whereas half an hour ago it was working just fine. Any thoughts? Preciate the help.

[Shadow Catcher]

A VOM/multimeter is your friend and you do not even need an expensive one. Find where you do have current and follow it to where you don't. I have used mine in our tear for a number of faults including a dead converter.

[Redneck Teepee]

Shawdow Catcher is correct and keep in mind that 90% of all electrical problems are grounding problems. Good Luck

[Bdobbs86]

Thanks for the quick replies. After fiddling with it for another hour I figure out that the clip which connected the wire to the battery had come loose inside its handle so was not conducting a charge. BUT, this was only when it was rotated far enough for the wire to fit into the circuit board. When I just held it up, the wire was taut inside its handle so it was all good. Which raises a question for me, what do you prefer to use to attach the 8 gauge wire to the battery? Right now I've got some clips that I got from Lowes but after fiddling around today I imagine there's got to be a better option.

[Dale M.]

By clips, I going to guess they are something spring loaded..... All connections should have properly done crimp on connectors on end of wires and connectors to battery connections should be proper bolt and nut with a conservative coating of dielectric grease to prevent corrosion....

Dale

[Shadow Catcher]

Some/many true deep cycle batteries have bolts for terminal attachment so I used gold plated ring terminals soldered and crimped.
There are battery clamps/quick connectors that will do the job.