If you are experiencing "ghost" errors, sensors dropping out, or erratic behavior that doesn't seem to have a clear cause, the culprit is almost always Voltage Drop. When your system’s voltage is on the "fringe" of its operating range, the electronics can behave unpredictably.
It is a common misconception that if your battery reads 12.5V, every component in your system is receiving 12.5V. In reality, voltage is lost as it travels through wires—especially over long distances.
Distance Matters: A compact system will rarely see these issues. However, on a spread-out trailer where wires might run 40 feet or more, the resistance in the wire eats away at the power.
The "Idle" vs. "Load" Trap: You might measure 12.5V at the battery, but by the time that power reaches a valve or sensor 40 feet away, it may have dropped to 11.0V—before you even turn anything on.
The Multiplier Effect: The more items you run at once (pumps, valves, inductors), the more the voltage drops. As amperage demand goes up, the "pressure" (voltage) required to push that power through the wires drops further.
Because components further away from the battery are the first to lose adequate voltage, they are the first to "glitch." This is why you might see a communication error for a specific valve or meter on the far end of the trailer while the rest of the system seems fine.
If you are seeing these oddities, check the following:
Check Voltage Under Load: Don't just check the battery while the system is sitting still. Watch the voltage readout on the Mixmate tablet while the pump is running and valves are opening. If you see it dip significantly, you have a power supply issue.
Inspect Wire Gauge: Ensure the power supply wires are heavy enough for the distance they are traveling. Longer runs require thicker wire to minimize resistance.
Clean Connections: Corrosion at a terminal acts like a "bottleneck" for electricity, significantly increasing voltage drop. Ensure all grounds and power leads are shiny and tight.
Shorten the Path: Whenever possible, mount your Power Module and main distribution as close to the battery source as possible.
Think of voltage like water pressure. If the pressure is too low, the "sprinklers" at the end of the line won't pop up, even if the pump at the well is running fine. Keeping your voltage high and your connections clean is the best way to ensure Mixmate runs smoothly.