Voltage Drop with courtesy lights - 2003 SAN

[mnwakerider]

Hey All:

I ran LED lights throughout the my 2003 SAN and just used the power and grounds for the courtesy lights and engine bay lights. I did keep a couple of the existing lights in place to provide extra visibility in the hatches.

When I turn the lights on via the keypad my voltage drops from 13.5 or so to 11.5-12 volts. My Perfect Pass and all of the other electronics really dont like the dip in power.

Any ideas on where I should look or how to fix the big drop in voltage?

Thanks!

[TX-Foilhead]

Power the lights with a relay so it doesn't draw power from the dash. You may also want to check all your connections, LED's shouldn't pull more voltage than regular lights unless you added way to many.

[mnwakerider]

Good suggestion. Would prefer not to rewire everything.

Can anybody check what their stock setup pulls for voltage? Just curious what similar vintage reads on the digital gauge.


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[core-rider]

I'm assuming the factory lights worked before the LED install, so if I were you I would retrace all the wiring changes made to install the new lights. Maybe you reversed polarity or have a wire shorting out on something. Unless you installed a crazy amount of LEDs that circuit should hold a few extra lights just fine.

I replaced all my factory courtesy lights years ago with LED pods and strips, plus added a few extra in the storage, dash, and engine bay. Never had a moments trouble with them. Installing a relay isn't a bad choice, but shouldn't be necessary unless like I said you installed a ludicrous amounts of LEDs.

[mnwakerider]

Didn't do a crazy amount. One strip of the waterproof (30ft) along the side and under dash. Then a single led in each cup holder and three in the tower. I don't ever remember having a drop in voltage with the old, but then again I didn't really use them that much. Doubtful on the revered polarity as the LEDs wouldn't work if that were the case. I will check and see what I find when I pull the boat out this week.

[core-rider]

and three in the tower.

I would look at these first. There is a chance the insulation was damaged if you ran the wires through the tower and it could be shorting to the tower. I've seen it happen many times with speaker wiring.

[mnwakerider]

Good call. Thanks.