Adding a 12v ground connection

[wabirch]

Curious if anyone has added a dedicated ground connection as part of a LED dimmer installation, just find a way to the frame and tie it in?
Thanks.

[Chrislorl]

Yes the frame of the RV or TT would be a good ground.

[wabirch]

Appreciate that, going to try to tame that awning light.

[Vicr]

Check the dimmer's schematic. You need to have both the positive and negative wire from the LED going to the dimmer.

[wabirch]

Yes, right now the steps and the awning light share a switch. Splitting up that connection leaving the steps only on the switch and moving the awning wiring to the dimmer is the plan. The dimmer will also turn off the awning so it serves as a switch as well. I suspect the switch is a single pole so tapping into the hot side of that switch feed first to feed the dimmer and then a connection to the switch to feed the steps is probably what I will find. Splitting up the neutral side to finish the mod is the plan. Fishing a new ground to the frame could be interesting, maybe the steps wiring path can serve as a way to feed that down the wall to the frame. I may reach out to Jayco before I start to see if they will share a wiring layout, where things are routed from each device. Appreciate the tip, thanks.

[Vicr]

The dimmer output negative wire doesn't go to ground. The dimmer output wire needs to go to the negative lead to the LED's. From the dimmer to the LED's needs to be a dedicated positive and a negative only. On the input side of the dimmer is there a ground wire and a positive wire. LED dimmers do not work in the way household dimmers do by interupting just a "hot' wire. Google 12v LED dimming diagram. I'm an electrician and work with LED's and dimming every day.
Vic R
IBEW Local 46 Seattle, WA
EL01 License

[wabirch]

That's a hugely helpful tip, almost seems like the dimmer needs its own circuit from the converter / fuse panel. What I read earlier suggested a dedicated neutral was needed, didn't pick up on a dedicated hot side as well for the input connections. Many thanks.

[Hivoltage98]

Originally Posted by Vicr

The dimmer output negative wire doesn't go to ground. The dimmer output wire needs to go to the negative lead to the LED's. From the dimmer to the LED's needs to be a dedicated positive and a negative only. On the input side of the dimmer is there a ground wire and a positive wire. LED dimmers do not work in the way household dimmers do by interupting just a "hot' wire. Google 12v LED dimming diagram. I'm an electrician and work with LED's and dimming every day.
Vic R
IBEW Local 46 Seattle, WA
EL01 License

Hi Vic, You took the words right out of my mouth,
Rob B. Local 98 Philadelphia Pa.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk