Watch my video of my bus headlights being weird

Scott & Heather · August 29, 2016, 12:38:06 PM

Can anyone point me in a general direction why this is happening? Both headlights work when ignition is ON but coach ISN'T RUNNING. When I start the coach, one headlight goes out. I can keep them both on by quickly turning the ignition off and back on again so fast that the coach engine doesn't actually shut down. Annoying.
https://vimeo.com/180640088

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Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM · August 29, 2016, 12:50:50 PM

Hummm Scott. Smells like a voltage drop somewhere. I would start by checking the voltage at the bulbs and if it is varying, run a test wire back to the battery ground on the negative side of your bulb. You may have a ground problem. I would turn power off to everything else first to ensure something in your system is not drawing more power than it should. Otherwise it may be a bad alternator. I always carry a red and a black 50' 12 gauge stranded wire with alligator clips on each end for testing circuits.

Or better yet, change your headlights to strobe lights like Steven Wright did so at night it looks like you are the only one moving down the highway.

Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM · August 29, 2016, 01:51:00 PM

I just watched your video again Scott but this time I got sea sick. Sorry.

Scott & Heather · August 29, 2016, 04:24:35 PM

lol Gary. Always a nut

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Jim Eh. · August 29, 2016, 07:15:18 PM

Most common fault is poor grounds. Even when you just turn the key on it appears the intensity changes back and forth between head lamps but it is an internet video so I may be misled. So many times electrical issues have been ground issues that when ever I have an electrical problem I just clean the grounds in the circuit before trying to diagnose any further.

DoubleEagle · August 29, 2016, 08:17:03 PM

I don't see any problem except that the flashing red and blue lights are missing!

muldoonman · August 30, 2016, 04:42:57 AM

Maybe the new bus is trying to act like the sig pic you got posted under your name. Blinkie blinkie.

Dave5Cs · August 30, 2016, 07:11:53 AM

Looks like the driver side is less bright all the time even when both are on. I would check that ground first as well as cleaning the socket and put some dielectric grease in it or both. Also check I thin 12 volt is stud 55 IIRC because mine anyway had a bunch of 12 volt systems put on that stud and it needed cleaning and tightening.
Dave

luvrbus · August 30, 2016, 07:35:22 AM

Those are projection lights it depends on the angle you look at one then they do look dim,I will check later and see how mine are wired through the relays

Scott & Heather · August 31, 2016, 07:38:22 PM

Another data point is that these are HID gas discharge lamps. So you see them fire on after ignition and then warm up. But the issue really is that I have to switch the ignition off and then on again rapidly to get them both to light up. Weird stuff

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thomasinnv · September 01, 2016, 07:47:44 AM

Are the headlights a true 12v setup, or the funky 12v wired relay thingy wired to 24v whatchamadigit like some of the older buses?

Scott & Heather · September 01, 2016, 09:19:07 AM

Nope. True 12 volts off of the twin VANNER EQUALIZERS I have

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thomasinnv · September 01, 2016, 09:50:37 AM

Twin vanners? What size are they? I just have a single 100 amp. Contemplating the possibility of adding a second 100amp to supply enough amperage to run the ac from the inverter while under way. Not convinced though.

Scott & Heather · September 03, 2016, 07:24:09 PM

I think 50 each?

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thomasinnv · September 03, 2016, 08:02:27 PM

I have a 50 I pulled from my other bus but I wouldn't think it a good idea to combine with the 100amp, I don't think they would play well together. I'll keep my eyes open for another 100amp.

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