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Unread 09-03-2008, 16:24
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Re: 1726 Electric Problem

Troubleshooting:

When you have a circuit that loses power, there are several methods of identifying the problem. One method, while not simple, is very fast and effective:

Determine how many different things there are in the circuit. For example:
Battery, anderson connector, main breaker, wiring block, yellow thingus, circuit breaker panel, victor, motot connectr(?) and motor. That's 9.

Get several 12 volt LEDs (use a 680 Ohm dropping resistor). Put all of the LEDs in a row and make them visible to an operator or observer.

Connect an LED using clip leads at each point in the circuit where there is a change in the path - at the input to the Anderson connector, the input of the main breaker, the input of the power block, etc.

Duplicate the condition - perhaps on the practice field, I can't say these LEDs are competition-legal.

Watch which LEDs are not lit when the condition occurs, the will lead you right to the problem. Works every time, this is a common technique in automotive repair when time is of the essence. Videotape the LEDs if necessary, to catch very fast transients.

Don
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