2005 340 dancer Cabin lights

[Partyoffive]

I'm having a problem with the d/c cabin lights. When I turn on the main switch by the steps, the d/c volt meter loads down to 4 volts. All lights work however. If i turn the switch to the off position the meter restores to 13 or so volts. I then again turned on the main switch by the cabin entry way and shut off the individual light switches 1 by 1 to try and isolate the issue. The voltage only slightly recovers with each switch but never returns to the full voltage. I'm wondering if the main switch is bad or if one of the light fixtures is somehow loading down the circuit? Has anyone had this issue before? Any advice??

thank you!
Dan
Party of Five

 

[DaleM]

I don't have any advice other than to try and isolate things how you are doing. Something is definitely shorting things out (unless your batteries are bad??). I have two switches. One operates the overhead 12v lights and the other operates the cabin courtesy lights along the floor and the switches are side by side. Could you swap the wiring over to the other switch to see if the problem follows the switch? I'd be real careful because if you're loading down something that much things could be getting hot real quick. Do you know what your current draw shows on the panel when they are on?