Heater 12 volt circuit

[2slick]

I've been dealing with an issue for a while. When the heater fires up, the fridge displays low voltage. I recently did a little tracing.....the heater, fridge, propane detector, porch light, light over sink, and light over range are on the circuit. I've checked voltage at fuse....good. Fridge.....low. No issues with heater. I actually rewired the connection at the heater just a few days ago. Still low voltage on fridge.

I have extra fuse slots, so I'm thinking I'm gonna just rewire the heater on it's on circuit. Any thoughts?

[MartyinSC]

Your solution sounds OK, but while you're in there, check for bad connections, particularly going to the fridge. The only thing that would cause a voltage drop like this would either be a bad connection, or a too-small wire gauge. Your solution would fix the latter. I've noticed in my Z-1 a use of crimp splices (the kind when you're trying to tap into a live wire for an additional circuit, where you squeeze the metal piece down with pliers) in many locations. These are a likely place where a bad crimp would make a marginal connection.

[2slick]

I hate those splices! I know they are the problem. Looks like 14 gauge wire. Heater motor is rated at 8.5 amps. I haven't been able to locate all the splices yet. Will work on it when we warm up!


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[fredtx]

Good idea to put heater on its own circuit. Now I'm gonna check mine to see how it's wired. When fridge wouldnt start up, I found the crimp on connectors in the outside access were loose both on the wire and the terminal. Put on new ones. No problem since. Those scotch locks can get loose too. Happy Trails

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[2slick]

Originally Posted by fredtx

Good idea to put heater on its own circuit. Now I'm gonna check mine to see how it's wired. When fridge wouldnt start up, I found the crimp on connectors in the outside access were loose both on the wire and the terminal. Put on new ones. No problem since. Those scotch locks can get loose too. Happy Trails

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No more issues since I put the heater on it's own 15 AMP circuit. I always tape the scotch locks when I use them.