I fired up my bulb tonight for the 3rd or 4th time, but had an interesting problem. I have a 2 switch system similar to the guide. The first switch powers my fan and LCD, while the 2nd fires the bulb. I have the power into the fuse, then to the first switch. That goes out to the LCD, 12v converter, and the 2nd switch. The 2nd switch only goes out to the ballast for the bulb. When I went to shut off the bulb tonight, it did not turn off when I shut off the 2nd switch. I had to turn off the 1st switch to get it to work. Then, after a few minutes, I turned the 1st switch back on, and the bulb fired with the 2nd switch in the off position. The first time I fired the bulb, everything worked normally, but this time, not so. The only thing I can think of is that the 2nd switch may somehow be bad, leaving the signal always open. If anyone has any other ideas, please let me know.
If the switch is bad, how could this have happened so quickly and easily?. The main power source is connected to a surge protector. Thanks for any help!
Full Version: Interesting wiring question
Ooo, I love riddles! It sounds like something is shorting out the 2nd switch but it could also be something as simple as a wire re-attached in the wrong place.
I would 1st check the switch with a multimeter or if you don't have one, I would swap the switches to see if the problem follows. Are the switches double throw? Are they rated for the appropriate amount of current? Can you post your wiring diagram?
I would 1st check the switch with a multimeter or if you don't have one, I would swap the switches to see if the problem follows. Are the switches double throw? Are they rated for the appropriate amount of current? Can you post your wiring diagram?
Well, we have to be thankful for the problems that end up having easy solutions, because that is the rarity. I took the aluminum flashing off and tested the out terminal on the 2nd switch, and it worked normally. I checked and rechecked the wiring setup to make sure it was correct. Then I hooked the bulb back up to test and walla, it worked normally again. The only thing I can think of is that when I put the aluminum flashing on, it must have pushed the wires together and made the two terminals touch, so I put electrical tape over one. Thanks for the advice!
Or maybe it was shorting through the aluminium flashing... although that is normally accompanied by large amounts of heat and smoke... 
The aluminum flashing was not actually touching any open wire, so I do not know how that would happen.
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