Installing a DC adaptor

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   I have a 1990 Ski Nautique and want to install a DC adaptor, cigarette lighter.  I hooked up an orange spare wire to the positive of the DC Adaptor that goes to Accessory breaker #1.  I spliced a ground wire to what I think is the groudn wire coming off the Voltage meter.  When I started the engine, the Alarm came on.  I switched the wires on the back of the Alarm and it went off.  Now the Voltage meter needle doesn't move and Voltage Troubel Light on top of the dash is on continuously.  But, the DC plug works fine.

What happened ?  Should I disconnect the splice to the Voltage meter and run a separate ground 14g wire from the Adaptor someplace ?  Where ?

thanks - John

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damonwells Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: June-13-2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 87	Post Options Post Reply Quote damonwells Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Installing a DC adaptor Posted: August-13-2007 at 5:15pm
	I have a 1990 Ski Nautique and want to install a DC adaptor, cigarette lighter. I hooked up an orange spare wire to the positive of the DC Adaptor that goes to Accessory breaker #1. I spliced a ground wire to what I think is the groudn wire coming off the Voltage meter. When I started the engine, the Alarm came on. I switched the wires on the back of the Alarm and it went off. Now the Voltage meter needle doesn't move and Voltage Troubel Light on top of the dash is on continuously. But, the DC plug works fine. What happened ? Should I disconnect the splice to the Voltage meter and run a separate ground 14g wire from the Adaptor someplace ? Where ? thanks - John

nuttyskier2002 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Gold Member Joined: September-28-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 669	Post Options Post Reply Quote nuttyskier2002 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: August-14-2007 at 8:48pm
	DC adapter? Is this a cigarette light? If so is needs a larger ground wire than the one going to the volt meter. The cigarette light draws a pretty heavy load (15+ amps). 14 AWG minimum should be the wire size. 12 is prefered. Remove the splice to the voltmeter's ground and wire that one back up straight. Run a dedicated ground wire to the engine block ground (12 AWG black). For the power you can tap off the B+ on the ignition switch but I like to run a dedicated lead from the heavy Batt cable on the starter solenoid. Then wire your alarm back the way it was before you started. If you are still having trouble after doing the above, look for a breaker or fuse to be popped.
	95 Malibu Echelon w/Mercruiser 350 Magnum Skier Former boats: 88 Ski Centurion Tru Trac II 59 Chris Craft Capri (woody)

Installing a DC adaptor

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