Any ideas where to get switched 12/24 volt on a newer coach?

[belfert]

I understand my question is probably pretty specific to my 1995 Dina Viaggio coach, but I'll ask anyhow.  Any ideas where one might find switched 24 volt or maybe even switched 12 volt in a newer coach like mine? 

My RVcams.com camera can use 24 volt, but it really needs to be switched.  I could use house power instaed of coach power, but then I would have to run more wires plus be careful to turn off the system when the coach is not running.  The power load is minimal.  Also, I want to replace my fuel gauge with a 12 volt digital one so I am hoping to find a 12 volt switched line, but I may need to get a cheap 24 to 12 volt converter for this.  One idea for 12 volt switched is the power to the video system that is gone now.

Yes, I spent about 30 minutes yesterday looking over the 40+ pages of wiring diagrams, but Dina does not do a good job of labeling 24 versus 12 volt lines.  Most of the the 12 volt stuff like lights is actually switched through 24 volt relays on the central electrical board above the driver.

[JackConrad]

Without seeing the schematics, it is difficult to say. I would use a voltmeter and start checking circuit breakers in your electrical panels. Test with the switch on until you locate 12 volt circuit breakers, then turn switch off and see which ones are now dead.  Hope this helps, Jack

[luvrbus]

Brain,i hope you don't mind asking a ot question but i have lots of photos of new converted Dina by a couple of converters that i was going to throw away if you would like to have them i will send the package to you beautiful buses

[Kristinsgrandpa]

Brian, Jack's idea is probably the best, but if it doesn't  pan out try the relays and see which relays are de-energized when the switch is off and tap into the switched side of one of them. Or, if not too difficult to remove, try the switch.

Ed

[Jerry32]

I take it the cam is wireless? If you are useing a wired cam the power comes through the cable you could tap into the master relay for power. but I don't see any switched power going to the rear except lights  Jerry

[Stan]

If you need the power at the back of the bus, there must be various things on the engine that get power when you turn on your dash switch to start the engine (shutdown circuit, computer etc.). Likewise at the front, you must have switched wires coming off the dash switch that you use to start the engine. It should be easy to follow the wiring diagram for either one of these sources back to the proper terminals in the junction boxes. Just put the proper size of fuse in the wire to the camera.

[belfert]

The camera is wired and the power comes from the front off the LCD monitor.  The power for the camera will probably be fairly easy as it can take 24 volt.  I think there are switched auxiliary 24 volt circuits that are unused.  The 12 volt will be more difficult unless I can use the 12 volt circuit for the video.

I'll have grab the wiring diagrams and start tracing out stuff in the central electrical panel to see what is engergized or not and what voltages are on which circuit.  I was hoping for an easier way, but I was really expecting to have to do this.

The master selenoid/relay in the rear doesn't help much since everything is at the driver's seat that I want to power.

[prevost82]

What is your head light voltage? maybe you could tap into that feed.
Ron

[belfert]

What is your head light voltage? maybe you could tap into that feed.

12 volts, but the headlight switch is 24 volts.  The headlight switch actually controls a relay on the central electrical panel that controls the 12 volt to the lights.

Dina likes to run most switches through relays on the central electrical panel even for 24 volt stuff.  The central electrical board is covered in relays.  Yes, I have spares for the fuses and relays.

[prevost82]

What is or where is the source for the 12v headlights can you tap into there?
Ron

[H3Jim]

Those bus pwer boards with their relay's sound like the ideal place to tap into.  You can add relays and fuses as needed.  I'm sure one or more of those are swithed and you can tap into that.  Just becareful of wire guages and that you have big enough wire or small enough fuses to protect all your additions.  We don't want to read bout a giant barbeque...

[belfert]

That is my plan.  I'm going to try to find the 12 volt bus on the central electrical panel and then see if there is a switched circuit I can tap off of.  The headlights are not a switched circuit as the key can be removed and the headlights will still work.

There are empty relay sockets and fuse holders, but I would have to figure out the voltages to see if they will help.  Most of them are for accessories my bus didn't ship with.

I do all of my wiring with 10 gauge and 12 gauge wire unless there a need for larger.  I believe in overkill for wire sizes.  The stuff I am hooking up takes maybe an amp of power.  I will be sure there is a fuse even if I have to add an in-line fuse holder.

[Kristinsgrandpa]

Brian, if it's only an amp then try Radio Shacks little voltage regulators, they will convert 24 VDC to 12 VDC  they are only good for an amp but 2 can be paralleled for a 2 amp circuit.

They are $1.59 ea. and available online only (I think).

Ed

[belfert]

I found a 30 amp circuit for the video system that is switched.  The video system is long gone and pulling the fuse didn't kill the radio so I think this is a good circuit to use for my needs if I can't find anything else.  I thought the video system was 12 volt, but the circuit is listed as 24 volt on the diagrams and didn't have time to check voltage for sure.

One suggestion for 12 volt is the cigarette lighter, but my cigarette lighter doesn't work and the fuse is good.  (I do need to fix this.)