12v Gremlin Eating Electronics?

[Marley]

The 06 Sprinter GW Van seems to have had a small rash of 12v equipment failures. Had to change a few bulbs right after buying it but then...

TV was first - had a power light but nothing on the screen. Did a hard reset etc, and tried different sources but it was dead. Got a good new one for $150 so all good there now.
Next was 12v dimmer. Got a new one, all good now.
Third was the Kenwood flip-out screen stereo/nav system. Worked fine then screen went black and now nothing. Haven't troubleshot this yet but the fuse is good.
Then the tank monitor panel goes blank. See Level unit with % LCD display. switches for water pump and HWH still work just no tank level display. Again haven't really checked this out other than the fuse.

Any ideas on this? (Other than 'it's an RV'...)

[BBQ]

.

It is possible that your voltage is not stable.

Take a look at what "heavy" equipment is connected to your circuit.

An ON/OFF event can trigger power fluctuations.

Maybe there is a problem with the charger? or alternator? regulator?

Do you have solar?

You just have to look at each item carefully.

[mkguitar]

a bad ground is more likely to fry a device.

Mike

[Marley]

One edit to the original post - this happened over the course of several months - not just a couple of weeks. May just be coincidental failures in a 10 year old vehicle.

We actually were looking at upgrading the Kenwood entertainment/radio/nav system as the user interface is horrible (pre-iPhone era touchscreen stuff) and there aren't any map updates for it anymore.
Crappy thing is it is a flip-out screen on the dash so replacements are limited and it has a head end where all the AV in/outs, backup cam, DVD player and satellite etc all connect (you can have a CD in the back play through the front etc). Thinking mucho dinero $$$.

No solar. No heavy loads being used. One of the failures was on the chassis battery the others on the coach battery side.

Mike: I'm assuming both battery systems use the same ground...connected to the frame right..?

[fratermus]

Originally Posted by Marley

One edit to the original post - this happened over the course of several months - not just a couple of weeks.

A controller running a monthly equalization stage could be running 15v+ through the system.