Trailers, winches, planes, boats, cars & trucks — mostly use 12 Volt DC for their power systems.
Just returned last week from a trip out to the Desert for 8 days — trailer brakes were not energizing properly — showing an "open ground" code.
When we returned, I decided to check it out further. Knowing that most issues are generally also the most common cause — I traced all of the wires that were installed by U-Haul when they installed the brake controller — all good, until I found where they had attached the control unit ground wire behind the drivers kick panel — with a rivet which had of course...loosened!! Cut the wire, attached a crimp ring, along with a self-tapper hex screw. Works perfectly.
Yesterday, I decided to install an in-cab switch assembly for my Warn M8000 winch. This goes where the clock was on the 4X4 Tacoma — and consists of a two button momentary IN-OUT assembly — along with a master shielded safety toggle which activates the power to the switches, as well as an indicator LED light.
Pulled apart the dashboard, routed all wires up to the winch, wired everything up — no power to the winch. Knowing it was likely a non-grounding issue — but not knowing which of the (4) solenoids I needed to attach grounds to — I was confused. Finally remembered my electronics training — and the importance of solid grounds — I figured out that my winch had (5) wires coming into the control box from the remote control — instead of the more typical (3). The (2) extra wires were a ground loop that in an emergency would disconnect power to the winch when the plug was pulled out. I ran a direct ground from the common ground lug assembly in the middle of the solenoid array — directly to the winch motor. Then ran another wire from the same lug and attached it to the solenoid base.
Now I can use the winch from inside the cab while operating the vehicle easier than running the remote control through the drivers window. And the remote control wired switch still works as before.
A faulty or corroded ground connection (or multiple connections to ground) are usually the culprit with any of our boats, trailers, or equipment that requires 12 Volt DC to operate.
Best, Fred
Auto electrical bugs: seems like 90% of the time, it is something simple, but if there are a dozen "simple" things that could go wrong, it's usually the 11th or 12th thing I check. Grr.
Frank
A very wise automotive electrician one told me,"It's always the ground." Start with the ground and you fill solve your problem right away...99% of the time.
It amazes me how many people depend on the connection at the ball & hitch for a ground. ::) I always make sure I have a hardwired ground through the connector. Then I make sure the wire & metal connections haven't corroded.
Quote from: PacRat on March 04, 2021, 02:06:41 AM
A very wise automotive electrician one told me,"It's always the ground." Start with the ground and you fill solve your problem right away...99% of the time.
This is very sound advice. No mater it be lights on the trailer, tail lights on an older truck or winch etc... Jeff
Quote from: Rivverrat on March 05, 2021, 05:40:22 AM
Quote from: PacRat on March 04, 2021, 02:06:41 AM
A very wise automotive electrician one told me,"It's always the ground." Start with the ground and you fill solve your problem right away...99% of the time.
This is very sound advice. No mater it be lights on the trailer, tail lights on an older truck or winch etc... Jeff
Also you have to have good grounds in a lawsuit, otherwise the suit will be dismissed as groundless. :D Dominick
Quote from: Dominick on March 06, 2021, 09:15:32 PM
Quote from: Rivverrat on March 05, 2021, 05:40:22 AM
Quote from: PacRat on March 04, 2021, 02:06:41 AM
A very wise automotive electrician one told me,"It's always the ground." Start with the ground and you fill solve your problem right away...99% of the time.
This is very sound advice. No mater it be lights on the trailer, tail lights on an older truck or winch etc... Jeff
Also you have to have good grounds in a lawsuit, otherwise the suit will be dismissed as groundless. :D Dominick
What about a shread of evedence ,is that like a corroded ground wire ?
you need a good quality suit, with the correct length pants, cheers Don.
A good quality suit will usually be a winner, in more ways than one.
Frank
I recall during basic training in the military it was of the utmost importance to insure that personal belongings constantly remained grounded to the corner post of my bunk. Foot lockers, boots, aluminum row boats. All had to be in contact, ie: "GROUNDED" to the bunk.