jynx
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Post by jynx on Sept 28, 2018 11:18:22 GMT -8
my new tail lights have 3 wires, one I assume is a ground (white) I didn't notice this and only ran the 2 wires for running lights and brake/turn signal. Will the aluminum siding work as a ground? If not I have to tear off new panels.
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debranch
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Wee Camp
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71 Shasta Compact
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Post by debranch on Sept 28, 2018 11:59:47 GMT -8
Been my experience that this is not a reliable option. The connection will loosen. I have found it’s better to run a ground to the frame.
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jynx
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Post by jynx on Sept 28, 2018 14:07:10 GMT -8
I was thinking about running a ground from the frame to the siding at the bottom just out of sight below the lights and then attach the light ground wire to the siding. I really would like to avoid removing panels I just installed, feeling really dumb for not thinking about it before. I'm just used to attaching lights directly to the frame of a trailer. this is my first travel trailer
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dragonwagons
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Polish
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Post by dragonwagons on Sept 28, 2018 19:08:31 GMT -8
Grounding to the Aluminum skin will work, it’s just not the best, or most reliable. Also add all the grounds you listed, but don’t be surprised if in the future if they start to flicker or other weird things.
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Post by vikx on Sept 28, 2018 19:46:27 GMT -8
Ground the skin to the frame at the bottom. Then the skin will be a good ground. It's not the best, but will work. Since you know what you did, you can always clean the connections if need be.
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Post by bigbill on Sept 29, 2018 11:54:37 GMT -8
As was said above ground the rear skin to the frame, If there is a second panel that the lights are attached to then you can pick a small spot usually near the side and install a small jumper made from a copper strip from one panel to the next. This will cure problems where the skin panels are not making a good current carrying connection.
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chriss
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Post by chriss on Sept 30, 2018 7:45:44 GMT -8
What everyone else said about bonding skin to frame to main 12v ground, but I would like to add that it should be a clean, positive connection. What I mean is don't just put a wire eyelet under one of the wood screws that attaches the skin to the wood. Use a machine screw/nut/ lock washer to go through the skin in some hidden location. I use aluminum screws and electrical connectors to avoid any possible dissimilar metal issues. My taillights have their own ground lead, but license and sidemarkers depend on the skin. Behind these lights, I attached a short pigtail machine screwed/nut to the light housings to the skin. The attachment to the skin is buried behind the fixtures. I did not want to depend on the sheetmetal screws as the ground. Probably very overkill, but in 8 years, I've had no lighting issues, except a couple burned out bulbs. I do check the grounds under the trailer every year to make sure they are clean.
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