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Post by IainS on Oct 12, 2021 22:10:43 GMT
When the multimeter is measuring battery voltage, and disagreeing with Smartgauge and other meters, where is the negative probe?
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Post by quaysider on Oct 13, 2021 6:08:47 GMT
Sorry for my delayed return. I had a Eureka moment yesterday afternoon. Quick back ground to the day - Went through Harecastle tunnel with a bit of a worry about lights going out - batteries were seriously low... (then remembered one of my head lights is on the starter circuit so ok). Chugged on a bit and then things kicked back in. on stopping, I checked voltages with multimeter again... across the batteries 13.19 but internally, (as in SG, solar and others only 12.ish) Went out and bought a new multimeter - coss checked and same on both new and old meters and STILL the difference on Battery verses internally. Anyway - left inverter on for fridge and went to help a single hander down stoke locks. On coming back, the inverter "low voltage" alarm had gone off and shut it down. Inverter big cable comes out of battery 1. Tested voltage at terminals again - still 13.10 ish Took coonnecting cables off again, and THIS time, battery 1 was 11.3. On closer inspection, the negative between 1 and 2 looked odd (see pic) So I made up a new cable with 50mm RED (it's all I have... THEN a new positive one too... put it back together, cranked up and bingo. SO it appears the 1 battery has been running everything... and because I'd moved the alternator cable onto number 2 in desperation, the other 3 were full and whilst a voltage could show through the crappy cable, current couldn't make the leap most of the time. I'm about to crank up (sorry Stoke on Trent) and see where we are this morning but I THINK we're there... When this punter leaves and I can get to Midland chandlers at the weekend, I'm gonna get new cable and lugs to make a TOTAL new set of leads AND reinstate the isolator switch ready for bss man I HOPE all is now well again and really appreciate the brainstorming that's gone on here. Cheers
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Post by patty on Oct 13, 2021 6:27:43 GMT
Brilliant Mark....
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2021 7:09:43 GMT
Hope this really is the end of your woes ! Well done for your tenacity if so ... and great advice from the grown ups here too Rog
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2021 7:28:38 GMT
Be interesting to understand how the cable came to be like that, over loaded?
I used a jumper cable once on my old van, it was a crappy cheap halfords one, used it to earth engine to chassis as the proper one had rusted, it melted a bit quickly.
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Post by JohnV on Oct 13, 2021 7:32:15 GMT
Be interesting to understand how the cable came to be like that, over loaded? I used a jumper cable once on my old van, it was a crappy cheap halfords one, used it to earth engine to chassis as the proper one had rusted, it melted a bit quickly. I would be interested to see the quality of the crimping
a poor joint there would generate heat and have that kind or result
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Post by Telemachus on Oct 13, 2021 7:32:18 GMT
Be interesting to understand how the cable came to be like that, over loaded? I used a jumper cable once on my old van, it was a crappy cheap halfords one, used it to earth engine to chassis as the proper one had rusted, it melted a bit quickly. Looks like a duff crimp. Plenty of melted insulation!
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Post by JohnV on Oct 13, 2021 7:37:43 GMT
10 out of 10 for perseverence Mark !!!
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Post by peterboat on Oct 13, 2021 9:12:30 GMT
A good result Mark in the end, unfortunately its not uncommon! When I bought this boat I had similar on the battery bank
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2021 10:07:57 GMT
Glad nobody took my 50p bet up, i feel rich!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2021 10:10:01 GMT
Well done finding that 😉
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Post by Isambard Kingdom Brunel on Oct 13, 2021 13:58:25 GMT
Glad you are fixed up.
But I thought that you were asked to check all the heavy battery cables way back when this all started? Have you been leading us up the garden path to create suspense and excitement?
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Post by Jim on Oct 13, 2021 14:20:36 GMT
Glad nobody took my 50p bet up, i feel rich! Treat yourself to a pink gin with a straw in a fancy glass.
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Post by Jim on Oct 13, 2021 14:21:17 GMT
Glad you are fixed up. But I thought that you were asked to check all the heavy battery cables way back when this all started? Have you been leading us up the garden path to create suspense and excitement? Fire engine blond drama queen!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2021 14:21:46 GMT
Every time i have had issues like this its been a loose wire, either on the alternator/battery/back of the key or split charge box of magic, now i check every wire before i do anything. Just saying. oh.
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