Pardon the long newbie question. I'm trying to learn 12 volt systems.
When I first hooked up to shore power after having the SMB for a couple of months, the converter (that was delivering 14.+ volts when plugged in) developed a massive short immediately when unplugged and was pulling the lifeline battery down past 11.6 volts and dropping like a rock.
I took everything off the battery as quickly as possible, reconnected the alternator wire and the a ground and drove off to get a charger.
In my haste to get everything off the battery, I didn't label or note what was what. I thought it would be obvious or color coded. It's not.
Here's my question:
I've got 120 volt to a circuit box and then on to power a GFIC and other 120 volt stuff-check.
(I didn't touch the 120 volt system other than to unplug the old converter).
I've got a main 12 volt (big 6 gauge) power cable from the alternator-check.
I've got a positive cable going to a bus bar on the 12 volt panel-check.
I've got a couple of ground wires grounded to the frame near the battery-check.
I've got a couple of dedicated ground wires out of the wall(smaller gauge)-Fine I guess.
I've got a mysterious wire that I think was hooked up to the positive terminal. Much smaller than the 6 gauge main, and even smaller than the 8 gauge from the converter to the battery. it goes off into the wall.
The only 12 volt candidates are the starcool, the refrigerator, the co2 detector, and the furnace (I think). Is there another fuse back there? Is there some reason why there would be another wire going straight to the positive terminal of the battery instead of through the 12 volt fuse box?
I'm new at 12 volt. Does this make sense? I should be able to check the ground wires against the frame and determine continuity. If I check this wire and it is "open" does that mean it is a positive lead to some load (probably with a fuse) and that it can safely be hooked put to the positive terminal?
I've got my new Xantrex converter and I want to hook this up with as little drama and smoke as possible.
Many thanks,
Tom
P.S.-Hey! post number 100.