Star Headlight & Lantern STAR-PA RP310Q User Manual
Page 7
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(Troubleshooting CONT’D)
Checking a Bad Power or Ground Connection
If sufficient voltage is not reaching the pack perform the following tests:
1.
Test Power at the Battery: With the vehicle turned off and while the pack is running,
measure the battery voltage at the battery. A nominal 12.5 volts should exist. If this
voltage is below 9.5 volts the pack will not function properly and the problem is with the
battery. This reading should not be more than 1.25 volts higher than the reading in the
second step. If there is an excessive difference then continue on to the next step.
2.
Test the Power Wire Between the Battery and the Switch: Move to the ON/OFF
switch in the cab and gain access to the rear of the switch panel. With the vehicle not
running and the pack on at the high power setting, measure the voltage drop in the red
wire by taking a reading with one probe on the positive side of the battery and the other
probe in pin 1 of your switch. If this reading exceeds 0.25 volts then there is a poor
connection between the switch and the battery in the red wire and it should be
checked. NOTE: Excessive voltage drop may be occurring in the connections on the
switch panel. If you have one of our switches you can increase the contact pressure by
removing the FASTON terminal from the tab on the switch. Using long nose pliers,
gently squeeze the FASTON terminal together in the area that slides on to the tab of
the switch. This will increase the pressure applied between the tabs and the connector
and reduce voltage drop.
3.
Test the Power Wire Between the Strobe Pack and the Switch: This same
procedure can be used to check the wires between the switch panel and the pack.
Place one probe on the terminal at the switch and the other probe into the terminal with
the corresponding wire color in the PWR connector on the pack. Once again if any of
the readings exceed 0.25 volts then you should check those wires and their
connections.
4.
Test your Ground Wire: If you still have not located the problem, troubleshoot the
connections between the good chassis ground and pin 2 (black or blue wire) of the
PWR connector on the power pack. With the vehicle not running and the pack on at
the high power setting, measure the voltage drop in the Black (Ground) wire by taking a
reading with one probe on the negative side of the battery and the other probe in pin 2
of your PWR connector. If this reading exceeds 0.25 volts then you have a bad
Ground.