Continuity question - 12 volt internal lights on Scamp

[lisantica]

I'm trying to learn some basics with electrical wire. I'm using one of those screwdrivers that lights up, it's inexpensive, but works.

My question is, should the light illuminate when I touch the black and white bare wire coming out of the back of the 12 volt light?

Picture coming in a second.

[lisantica]

Aargh (smacks forehead), I didn't have the switch in the on position.

[Joe Romas]

Originally Posted by lisantica

I'm trying to learn some basics with electrical wire. I'm using one of those screwdrivers that lights up, it's inexpensive, but works.

My question is, should the light illuminate when I touch the black and white bare wire coming out of the back of the 12 volt light?

Picture coming in a second.

If it's what I'm thinking of your screw driver that glows is for 120 volts AC.
And if so you probe the black wire or the smaller of the two slots in a standard plug.

[ststefan]

I have a 12 volt probe as well. Don't plug it into a household socket.

[k0wtz]

I was wondering where you were Lisa! I have both but I like the cheap H/F multi meter it just does more!

Works the same

bob

[lisantica]

Thanks for the safety tips. I am new to all of this.
Took a couple of days off to try and think of what action to take next.
Baby steps, as I have to learn as I go.

I want to pull both the black and white wires out of the trailer. I can easily fix the fan issue and light issue if I pull in two new wires from the 12 volt battery.
I think that's what I'll do tomorrow unless anyone has a reason why I shouldn't that I'm unable to see due to lack of experience.

[EricAllyn]

I think you shouldn't have any trouble with that. Remember to fuse the fan at some point in the hot (black) side.

[lisantica]

Originally Posted by EricAllyn

I think you shouldn't have any trouble with that. Remember to fuse the fan at some point in the hot (black) side.

Eric do you think I can just cut off the existing 20 amp fuse and splice that into my new black wire?

[lisantica]

Please excuse my rudimentary drawing, but this is my plan for tomorrow.

I don't use my refrigerator on 12 volt. These are the only two items using the black and white wires, yes?
The other 7 wires are what go to the inverter and back to the tail and side lights are the ones that are separate from this black/white wire.

Could it be as simple as what my drawing shows?

[Glenn Baglo]

I don't run my refrigerator on 12V either, but it still requires 12V for the controls when running on propane.
Mine is Dometic RM2510.

[lisantica]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

I don't run my refrigerator on 12V either, but it still requires 12V for the controls when running on propane.
Mine is Dometic RM2510.

Thank you for pointing that out. I have the RM2193 and I just found an online manual for it, so I will study that this evening.

[EricAllyn]

That would work, and would not be too much for the circuit. I might make a suggestion though. Add a second circuit, use a different color, even if they both come off the same fuse. Later, if you are adding other things (pump, plugs, chargers, inverter) you can keep them all separate. Later, as you add these, you can get a small fuse bank, hook the wires up properly, and then have each circuit fused individually. That will make it much easier if there are problems with any of the things on those circuits (i.e. if the fan goes bad, a light shorts out, etc.)

[Borrego Dave]

Originally Posted by EricAllyn

That would work, and would not be too much for the circuit. I might make a suggestion though. Add a second circuit, use a different color, even if they both come off the same fuse. Later, if you are adding other things (pump, plugs, chargers, inverter) you can keep them all separate. Later, as you add these, you can get a small fuse bank, hook the wires up properly, and then have each circuit fused individually. That will make it much easier if there are problems with any of the things on those circuits (i.e. if the fan goes bad, a light shorts out, etc.)

Just a note Lisa & Eric from experience. It would be a good idea to draw a diagram of the circuits, colors and what they go to, especially if they come off the same fuse. May help you later and definitely another owner down the line .