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RE: My Broken Big Bus…..Again!
Ok, all you electrical whizzes out there……please tell me why my stair and bannister lights disappeared again? Having gone to the store one day, I saw this really cool voltmeter….Analog Multimeter, it’s called. Thinking I was the Cat’s Meow, I was really rockin’ on with an instrument where I could actually check my fuses, and all the other things lined up in my two impressive fuse/diodes/breakers/dust and corrosion Bays. Realizing I had a magic instrument worthy of showing my expertise to my nosey neighbors, the Fifth Wheelers, I pulled the precious Analog Multimeter out of the plastic bag, and placed the ear plugs in my ears. Fortunately, I realized…….only too late…..the plugs belonged in the instrument, and were the other end of the electrical conduits. Thank goodness I didn’t stick the other ends in the fuses. But wait, I have not a clue as to how the box works, where to put the dial, and what I am supposed to measure! Hence, I’m writing to the really smart Forum members who would be able to pinpoint exactly what I have to do to turn my stair lights back on. By the way, at the same time my lights went out……..the stair lights, that is……..my high beams quit, and the only way I can make them click into high lights is to manually hold the shift up. Otherwise, I only have regular headlights. Maybe, considering all else, it’s by sheer luck I have any lights at all!
That’s my story, and I hope someone out there will have an answer my demise. Thank you for your time and attention, and I look forward to your reply.
SydnyG
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2 Replies
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Pat,
This would be easy in person, but here goes.. The analog
multimeter went out with the hula hoop, sorry, you need a digital,
but what you have will work fine. The basic function of the meter is
to measure voltage, AC/DC and continuity. The red lead is for the
positive + and the black lead is negative -. You have to be sure your
on the correct scale to measure AC and DC.Hold the red lead on the positive side, the black lead on the
negative side and then read the voltage. If your meters needle takes
a nose dive, you have the leads reversed. I
suggest you don’t do anything involving AC, leave that to the
experts. DC is low voltage and you will be dealing with 12 and
24.Continuity is just a way to test current flow. To try this, just
take a simple 12v fuse and touch the leads to each side of the fuse.
if the fuse is good, you will hear an audible sound from your meter.
With the meter in continuity, touch the leads together and you will
hear the audible sound. You can also check ground in the same manner,
by touching the lead to a known ground and the other to the
connection your testing.As for your problems with the bus, it could be anything from the
switches, fuse, relays or loose wires. You told me your bus got fried
with a lightening strike causing major damage. Did all of these light
problems happen after the strike?All of the above is just basics with the use of your meter. The
meter has many capabilities that cannot be explained here. You should
have got a user manual with it and if so, be sure to read the
instructions. If you have any doubts, DON’T experiment with voltage. -
Dr. Pat,
There may be a reluctance for folks to jump in and give answers because some of the problems are not going to be solved with a few words or phrases.
An older coach with an unknown history is especially difficult to diagnose because as some coaches age their owners are reluctant to service and maintain them properly and subsequent owners pay the price. The internet is a lousy place to diagnose problems, but there is hope. First, put your meter away and seek out a person who not only is comfortable with the electrical systems, but also knows your conversion. Let that person do the trouble shooting and repair.
It could be as simple as a loose terminal, a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker, or it could be something serious like a dead short. Whatever the problem, have it repaired properly. I ordinarily will not hesitate to help owners do their own work, but the consequences of messing with electric can be serious and hazardous. The right person can safely diagnose and repair the problem.
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