Electrical Help

[bigbob7777]

For some reason the 2 12VDC reading lights in the bedroom have quit. I've changed the bulbs, checked the fuses (3 times removing and checking every one)and the circuit breakers. I've pulled the lights off the wall and can't get any voltage readings. I've checked for resistance and it shows a good circuit.

These are the only 2 loads on this circuit and they both went out at one time. Absolutely every other thing in the 3500RL works.

Frustration has set in. Any ideas?

bob

[Ozz]

Sounds like you lost a ground. String a wire from another fixture or known ground and tie it in, then try it.

[snfexpress]

I agree with Ozz - the ground is your return in a 12v system.

[bigbob7777]

If it has lost ground, how do I rerun a ground when I can't find the break?

[bsmeaton]

Bigbob,

ON our 2007, all of the 12v devices are fed with a pair of wires (looks like lamp cord). One side is 12V, the other ground (ground is white-no colored stripe). All of the 12V originates from the Iota 12V fuse panel, and the ground returns to a grounding bar somewhere near the fuse panel. Our panel is in the bathroom on our 3400. I pulled the panel out of the wall to do some other work and found the ground bar mounted to the wall behind it. I took a screwdriver and starting checking terminals, and over half were loose enough for the wire to fall out.

You might check there.

[bigbob7777]

I'll check the grounding bar, thanks.

[Ozz]

Brad is a wise man indeed..............Ornery, but wise.

[bsmeaton]

LOL

[bigbob7777]

Checked the grounding bar for the DC - all tight. Ran a hot wire from a good light to the bad light, and the light turned on. So, I guess I can deduce from this that I have an open hot wire; is this correct? I've tried to find where this wire originates, to no avail. Apparently it goes through another load somewhere. The other 3 "orange" wires go to different circuits that are working fine. I've tried to check these other circuits, but I can't find an orange wire that goes "out" to another load. They all terminate at that load.

Frustrated!! I guess I try again tomorrow.
bob

[Ozz]

Check the GF outlet/reset at the sink just for grins.

[bigbob7777]

Did that. No other circuits are out either.
bob

[noneck]

Hi Bob, Have you flipped up the bed...cleared out all the stuff and pulled the board over the slide mechanical area? Maybe the wire got hooked under there so you have neither 12vdc nor gnd? I've been in there and redressed the wire with tie wraps, operated slide before covering it over to make sure all is good. Chuck

[WildBigBill]

I agree that is probably in the wiring through the slide connection.

[bigbob7777]

noneck,
You were right on!! I pulled up the bed and removed the cover board. The wire had not worked loose physically, but when I "jiggled" the splice, the lights flickered. The wire wasn't making good contact. REplaced splice and DW is happy again with her reading light.

Thanks to all for the great suggestions.
bob

[ARJ]

Ahhhhh! Quality control.

[Garin1]

There's them Old World craftsmen again. 'course, most of them don't understand waht electricity is all about.