Erratic voltmeter readings
I plugged a digital voltmeter into the 12-volt circuit of our "new" 2002 Northern Lite CD and discovered something odd. As I look at the meter, the voltage reading jumps around from 9-and-change to 14...
Forum Discussion
Often what can cause this is a very weak circuit. By that, I mean that all the wires in the circuit are not properly connected.
One way to check this is to connect a single 12 volt bulb across the circuit you are measuring. If you try that, and the bulb does not light, but your meter shows this variable voltage when the bulb is not connected, the circuit is so weak that insufficient current can run to light the bulb. The meter shows voltage because the meter is very high resistance, and only takes the tiniest amount of current.
One way to check this is to connect a single 12 volt bulb across the circuit you are measuring. If you try that, and the bulb does not light, but your meter shows this variable voltage when the bulb is not connected, the circuit is so weak that insufficient current can run to light the bulb. The meter shows voltage because the meter is very high resistance, and only takes the tiniest amount of current.
