wolfe10 wrote:
Two issues:
As you said, one large lug is connected to the chassis battery and reads correct chassis battery voltage (14 with engine running).
Problem #1 is that the other large lug which connects to the house battery should read that battery's voltage-- probably in the 12.5 VDC range, even with engine off.
Problem #2 is 7 VDC to the signal wire. You can use a small gauge wire (it will carry less than one amp) from chassis battery large lug to signal terminal (remove the signal wire first, so you don't back-feed that circuit). Now the two large lugs should read the same voltage, as they are joined through the solenoid.
Most Ford solenoids are intermittent duty-- you will need a CONSTANT DUTY SOLENOID of sufficient rating (amps).
Thanks again. Problem 1 is not a problem. I removed the house battery cable and am reading voltage directly off the solenoid. Now, I'm not sure problem 2 is a problem either. I removed the isolator solenoid from my generator compartment and tried to. I finally got some voltage to the bottom lug, however it was only 6V. Then (DUH), I grounded the solenoid and whammo.....14V at the bottom lug. Apparently the ford solenoid will not work at all, or is faulty as i tried it again with ground and still didn't work.
So, having said all that, did I find my problem? It seems now, that having 7V to the signal post is not a problem?? ?? While I had the ford solenoid on, I took the signal wire off the alternator and gave it 12V and the solenoid still did nothing. Here's to hoping I found the problem. Thanks again for all the help!
