

| Subject: | Carver P4 installation, Part 3 (how does that voltage regulator work ?) |
| From: | Steve Lashley |
| Date: | Tue, 1 Dec 1998 00:26:34 EST |
Hey it's been several weeks since I last posted my progress on the P4 installation. I had completed and tested the P4, but had not tried it out yet, and still haven't fully tested it. I tried it out on a trip last weekend, but the coldest it got was the upper forties, and I insisted on firing it up while we drove the 5 hour trip. I had mounted the blower near the floor dead center in the kick panel under the rear seat, and the kids complained that it was much too hot back there even though I kept having them turn the heater down. The Carver instructions say you can use it while driving, but I had my doubts. The unit did shut off once during the trip, but fired right back up. I'm not sure if it blew out, or shut it's self down. I am very impressed with the amount of heat that this thing puts out. I can't wait to try it out camping. If only we would get some cold weather here in St. Louis. It's been up to 70 degrees the past week. Part of my delay in trying the heater out was getting my aux battery to work. I traced the wiring, and hooked up the relay, but was not getting any voltage from the relay switch wire that comes from the regulator. Now I replaced my regulator quite a few years ago with an electronic unit if that makes any difference. I checked my volt meter up front and found no problems. The needle move upwards when I stepped on the gas, so I assumed the batter was charging. So why was I not getting any voltage from the regulator? Finally, I kept the voltmeter on the wire as I revved the engine, I got volts! Is this normal for a regulator to not spit out voltage when at idle? I can see how this would keep your spare battery from draining your system when the alternator is not providing enough juice. Enough rambling. Bring on the cold! Steve Lashley '74 Campmobile SKL Enterprises Importing German Side Tents and Accessories, and Carver P4 Propane Heaters for Bus, Vanagon and Eurovan http://members.aol.com/tentinfo
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