Day 1838

 I woke up at 8 and got out of bed about 9.  Then it was pet stuff and breakfast.  After that it was back out to the garage.

The first task wasn't on the todo list.  I had to put new heat shrink on the interior light wire, tape it up, and put it back in the wire protector.  I also got the first thing on the list done, connecting the clock.  Then it was on to figuring out the timer box.  That took the rest of the day.

It turned out that the schematic that I'd put in the box had an error in it.  I finally figured that out.  I decided to trace every wire and make a new schematic.  That took awhile.  Then I got out the multi-meter and started measuring things.  I wanted to make sure that my schematic matched what was really happening.  That's when I ran into Chinese engineering.

The IN input on the timer relay is connected to +12 on the battery.  For some reason when the relay is off there is 12V between it and the NO relay output.  If I try to measure the current flow (.1A), the timer turns on.  If I Ohm between the NO terminal and the GND input there is no connection.  I'm not sure how that could happen.  I do think that that potential is what drains the battery.  

I didn't get any lunch and it was about 4, so I decided to quit for the day.  Also I was being attacked by mosquitoes.  After some time I went back out to run a couple of tests that proved that the circuit works the way I want it to.  

All this accomplished three things.  I have a correct schematic.  I discovered a design error - I need a diode in one of the connections.  Finally, I located how to put the dash switch to insure that there is no leakage from the circuit.

All in all the effort was successful, I'm just unhappy that it took most of the day.  Hopefully I have a diode in the railroad stuff so I can finish up tomorrow.

Ellen fixed bacon wrapped chicken for dinner.  After that it was TV and a little reading.