I am looking to add some locker LEDS but I am only getting 5V in each box (I didn't test the other 3). I assumed there should be 12V per locker unless I'm missing something?
Locker light voltage
I am looking to add some locker LEDS but I am only getting 5V in each box (I didn't test the other 3). I assumed there should be 12V per locker unless I'm missing something?
What model boat to you have? If you're testing voltage in the boxes then sounds like you already should have LEDs in the compartments.
It's an 08 Cougar. It was pre-LEDOriginally Posted by BassCatKev
12 volt circuits. bulbs will take more amps than led's. So if ya are converting to LED, you should be fine once you get the voltage drop corrected
Is there an easy way, or place to start to figure out where the drop is coming from? I'm assuming not
Update: all locker lights are showing 5v and the cigarette light is showing 12v. Any ideas from anyone?
One wire is a ground and one is power, are you measuring the voltage across those two wires or are you connecting the ground probe somewhere else?
Thank You Leon Pugh
One probe is in the socket the other is on the wire
look for wire with green corrosion or do a voltage drop on each feed wire. if all are low go back to a junction where they all meet at? buss bar maybe? switch maybe?
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Measure the voltage across the two wires, if no good measure from battery positive terminal to bulb connector ground pin, if good measure from battery negative to connector positive pin, Be sure light switch is in the on position
Thank You Leon Pugh
What number on the bulbs?
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We have stayed out of this one as in almost 30 years of playing with digital switching and dashes, this is a first.
BCB
It is a 12v system. I would run a good ground back to the battery for reference while you check voltage. This will rule in you have good connection on the hot side to include wiring, and door switches, and will also expose a bad ground in the process if you have one. You could be losing some voltage if the mercury switches are acting up. I have thought about an led conversion as well but I have not pulled the trigger yet. I have some comp. lights that don't work and I feel like I am going to have to replace mercury switches or bypass that whole system. Remember if your boat has the security alarm, the mercury switches play a role in arming the system. Another reason why I have not dove in yet. Might be a winter project for me. Good luck !
5V on the bulbs
I should also mention that the original incandescent bulbs are still being lit. but i am still seeing 5V when measured across both wires
I had so many voltage drop issues because of butt connectors and poor connections in general it was unreal. Took me months to fix what should have never been a issue. Ground issues and alarm issues, we will talk about that another day.
I am the furthest thing from an electrical specialist so I have a friend giving me a hand with it because I find it over whelming. I appreciate everyones suggestions so far. Hopefully we can narrow down what is causing the issue without going through every connection.
5 volts is the another voltage that most computer and digital components function on. Unless this dash has been replaced with a new system set up for LED lights, we are chasing back to the ground. Though it definitely is feeding the 5 volts related to the dash output and not a connection, unless it’s a ground preventing 12 volts and sending the dash output, we have trouble with this one.
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