TrimetricSaves the Day Again

[BFL13]

Still working on things getting the new to us 1991 Class C working right. Trimetric monitor saves the day again!

Had to replace the busted dash radio with an old radio/CD player from a scrapped vehicle. Wanted to have that powered by the house batteries instead of the starting battery so I can play CDs off grid without having to fire up the DVD player and inverter. Got that all wired up after a struggle.

Turns out the replacement dash radio/CD player uses 1.0 amp while playing on the four speakers (one in each door and two in the RV part-one on each side) --as seen on the Trimetric. So now I know to turn it all off when not listening to it.

The fridge light was burnt out when we got this thing. Got a new lamp, one of those glass fuse looking things, and it draws about 1.6 amps. Found that with the fridge door closed it still did. Oops!

There is a push button fridge lamp switch at the bottom that is supposed to be pushed in by a part on the bottom of the door, but it doesn't reach to push the button. Solution was to jam a blade fuse into the thingy on the bottom of the door making it stick out farther, and now it pushes the button closed.

As seen on the Trimetric. You can't see if the fridge light is on or off with the fridge door closed, but the Trimetric can tell! Ta da!
Saved again by the Trimetric. 🙂

[landyacht318]

My ammeter display once revealed to me the existence of a 0.1x amp load with the doors open, and all the dome lights turned off.

It is a time delay relay, and to neuter it I have to turn the headlight dimmer switch all the way clockwise past detente.

One other time after a rainstorm I found myself awakening to a strange 4.2 amp load. My ASD relay was not mounted properly and had filled with water, and was running the fuel pump.

Voltage reveals a bit,

Amperage reveals much much more.

[Ron3rd]

wnjj wrote:
If you’re ever in doubt about your fridge light, put your smartphone in there recording a brief video with the door shut.

DROP THE MIKE!!!!

[MEXICOWANDERER]

We won't mention how I failed my IQ test for a cigarette lighter plug disassembly.

OK OK. I admit it.

There was an elastic o-ring, black on black that needed to be removed. It took a hook and cursing to get it off.

Post Script

The little LED plate conversions for car interior lights have the correct adapter for your bulb.

Lots more light WAY MORE light
Lots less power like .09 ampere

Being cold the LED will last a long time.

[BFL13]

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Incandescent Bulb Staying On In Refrigerator?

• Open door quickly
• Stick finger on exposed bulb
• If you hear a scream the light has not been shutting off.

That would work if the lamp did not have a plastic cover. We will not mention how I failed the IQ test for removing the cover to get at the bulb.

Eventually after nearly wrecking the whole fridge in frustration, I discovered the cover just slides out towards you.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Incandescent Bulb Staying On In Refrigerator?

• Open door quickly
• Stick finger on exposed bulb
• If you hear a scream the light has not been shutting off.

[EdTheEdge]

Kayteg1 wrote:
Years ago my friend bought good car very cheap, becouse seller could not figure out constant battery drain.
Friend park it in garage and on 2nd night entered the garage in dark.
The glove compartment was glowing.
Took 1 cent to glue under the switch to fix.
Good job with finding the fridge light on. Not only it was taking power to light, but secondary took power too cool all that heat.
Now you might want to put LED panel. Glued to the wall above the original light will be real improvement.

LOL! I was chasing a battery draining problem for a week not too long ago until I opened my storage compartment one night and the light was on!

[DiskDoctr]

All it takes to answer the age old question, "Does the light go out when you close the door" is buying an RV and using some high tech meter or video phone to solve.

Who knew? LOL!

Good catch on both those draws. They would have surely dogged you without mercy 😉

[wnjj]

If you’re ever in doubt about your fridge light, put your smartphone in there recording a brief video with the door shut.

[Kayteg1]

Years ago my friend bought good car very cheap, becouse seller could not figure out constant battery drain.
Friend park it in garage and on 2nd night entered the garage in dark.
The glove compartment was glowing.
Took 1 cent to glue under the switch to fix.
Good job with finding the fridge light on. Not only it was taking power to light, but secondary took power too cool all that heat.
Now you might want to put LED panel. Glued to the wall above the original light will be real improvement.

[TurnThePage]

I wish there was a "like" button here. 🙂

I agree, having the old TM right there ready to report what you can't see is awesome. It's saved my bacon more than once.

[Lwiddis]

Please post some pictures.