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12 volt short

Yahoo Message Number: 103439
After 17 years of fulltiming and 206,000 + miles, the coach has developed a 12 volt short  in circuit  #404. Wire # 404 is 12 gauge wire with a 20 amp fuse.  The fuse block is located curb side in the last bay with the fuel filters. This circuit powers the water heater switch, cook top igniter, lights over the sink, table and the cabinets self switched light fixtures.
I have unhooked all the hot wire to each fixture and the short remains, so would assume the fixtures are not the problem.  Now I must confess that when 12 volt knowledge as passed out that I was bending over doing my shot laces so am 12 volt challenged.
With meter in hand, went to the fuse block, put the red probe on the power supply and the black probe  on the UNfused #404 wire and was got a reading of 13.4 volts.  Probed the 15 wires in the fuse block and they were 00 volts.  I. can not find where wire #404 goes to the front of coach to branch off to power each fixture with lights being on both sides of the coach.  Coach has a galley slide.
If anyone can make sense of this rambling, please suggest a way to investigate.

Bill Dane

99 Allure 30326

Re: 12 volt short

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103443
You can use a cable tracer to determine the wires path.  I have the Triplett Fox & Hound Jr and used it to trace a wire from my breaker box in the rear of the coach to an outlet in the electrical bay in the front of the coach.  You need to remove power from the wire to use one of these devices.
 Think I paid about $40 or so for the two piece device.  There are others that are more expensive and I assume more sensitive but this one has worked for me.

pete

2000 40' Magna CAT C10,  #5892
Pete
 2000 40'  Magna #5892  CAT C-10

12 volt short

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103444
Pete,

Thanks for the information on the wire tracer, did not know there was such a device.

Bill Dane

99  Allure  30326
 

Re: 12 volt short

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 103475
Pete,

Thanks for your suggestion regarding the cable tracer. I too was not aware of the availability of this useful gadget. This will be much more convenient than using the method of cumbersome long wires and a continuity tester as I have in the past. I found a Sperry brand tester online and in stock at my local Home Depot for about the same cost as your Fox & Hound. I will pick one up soon. Anxious to try it on my confused cables for the bedroom TV as I am getting ready to install a new larger flat screen there. I also plan to  use it to straighten out the surround sound system in my home. I am sure I will think of dozens of other uses as well.
Thanks again for sharing your experience with us, Pete.

Daron Hairabedian 98 Allure 30226