Sid Lambert
Well Known Member
I'm trying to diagnose a strange electrical issue on my RV-4.
If I turn off the bat and alt master, the radios will stay on until the engine quits. So the system is is running from the alternator. It works normal if the engine is not running.
I have a sneaking suspicion that it has to do with the idiot light wiring. Voltage going back through the light to the main bus. 1.6V when the engine is not running.
My question is... When wiring an idiot light from the L lead on the alternator do I need to put a diode between the light and the 12V + bus? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?
I know I should be using a nifty low/high voltage system. I will probably replace the radios and a few clocks along with the charging system later but this is what I have now.
If I turn off the bat and alt master, the radios will stay on until the engine quits. So the system is is running from the alternator. It works normal if the engine is not running.
I have a sneaking suspicion that it has to do with the idiot light wiring. Voltage going back through the light to the main bus. 1.6V when the engine is not running.
My question is... When wiring an idiot light from the L lead on the alternator do I need to put a diode between the light and the 12V + bus? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?
I know I should be using a nifty low/high voltage system. I will probably replace the radios and a few clocks along with the charging system later but this is what I have now.