Curbe
Fulltiming all over the USA
Senior Member
Joined: 10/12/2003
View Profile
 Offline
|
Yesterday I upgraded the converter/charger in our Toyhauler. That thread is posted here: Coverter/Charger Upgrade - Boondockers
While inside the load center I noticed 4 neutral wires that the insulation was burnt and melted. The circuits affected were the GFI outlets and the microwave. Two other neutrals were blackened by virtue of the extensive heat from arcing. What I found was that the lugs for the neutrals were loose which was causing an arc that would basically create excessive heat on the wire and the neutral block. Several of the neutrals had the insulation melted back about 3-4 inches. As a load was placed on those circuits, this caused the wires to get hot.
Had I not replaced the converter, chances are I never would have found this problem. Who checks the wiring in the load center? In all honesty, I cannot believe we hadnt had a fire  . I will now check the load center wiring in our fulltime coach for integrity and make sure that this problem never happens again. I dont know if its just poor installation from the factory (thats my thought) or if the wire lugs came loose just from running down the road. Either way, I wanted to let everyone know what my experience was and how lucky I feel we were. A potential fire was iminent.
Everyone, please check the wiring in your load centers. If you do not have basic electrical knowlege, its worth your time to have somebody who does check this for you, or hire an electrician to verify that this doesnt happen to you.
Good Luck and Be Safe!
Visit our website
Curbe's WiFi Network
|
Polishnurse
Schodack, NY
Senior Member
Joined: 03/13/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
You might want to check you fuse panel also. Called a Yearly electrical PM. AC current will loosen up on pressure type contact. The higher the load the more they tend to loosen. JM2Cents Bill
|
rvsatek
AZ, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 05/23/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
This is more common than people think. It usually happens when a very heavy load is placed on a circuit.(electric heater) The constant expansion/contraction of the copper wire can eventually loosen the screw, create a lot of heat. I have seen nuetral buss bars completely melted. It's a good idea to check them periodically.
Larry
1994 Ford F250/7.5L/410 gears
2001 Keystone Sprinter 276RLS 14' slide
|
alpenliter
Olympia WA
Senior Member
Joined: 04/10/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Thanks for the reminder! Checking electrical connections in the load center should go right on the checklist for everyones annual preventive maintenance tuneup. While a leaky roof might do some damage, an electrical fire can kill you and yours. Thanks again for bringing this up. Will check mine today.
2004 F-450 CC, DRW 6.0 Classy Chassis
1997 33' Alpenlite St. Andrews
Lifetime Good Sam Member #39644174
Escapees SKP#89882
Alpenlite Travel Club #5955
Vietnam Vet '67-'68
Extreme Makeover RV Style! Click here!
|
davelinde
Freehold, New Jersey
Senior Member
Joined: 11/02/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
THANKS!! I had not thought of this, but now that you point it out... seems like a simple and vital regular check.
Dave Lindemulder
Tammy, Mark & Kirsten
04 Dodge 2500 4x4 SLT QC/SB
HO-CTD/48RE - Graphite: Raptor SS nerfs, Prodigy, Reese 16K Kwik-slide, BD X-Monitor, PML Trans pan, PML Diff cover, Firestone Airbags
09 Heartland Cyclone 3210
|
|
|
Bob Shaw
Newnan Ga
Senior Member
Joined: 06/26/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Several years ago my airconditioning compressor would not work, although the fan would work and you could hear a click from the thermostat at the unit in the ceiling. This was in Disney World FW in September. My dealer (Jim Brown, bless his heart) walked me through some diagnotics over the telephone, and it turned out to be a loose wire behind the circuit panel. Apparently, they sometimes jiggle loose, or, aren't tightened securely at the factory. That loose wire could hve ruined my vacation, and possibly the air conditioner.
|
Mousefart
New Jersey
Senior Member
Joined: 08/15/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
Yup, I check mine from time to time. Heck, a lot of the connections were loose from the factory!
I also check my panel connections at home too. My @#%$ apartment is wired with ALUMINUM wiring!
Paul (Mouse)
2007 Flagstaff Shamrock 17 Hybrid (heavily modified for boondocking and winter camping).
2007 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab 4x4, 4.7L HO, factory tow, 3.92 gears.
Equil-i-zer Hitch, Prodigy.
Yamaha EF2400 Generator (quiet, cause I care!)
|
Wayne Dohnal
Banks, OR.
Senior Member
Joined: 03/09/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
I've learned that with RVs it's good to periodically check things like this, especially when it's brand new! (I found 2 hot wires with uninsulated ends flopping around loose in our new motorhome).
2009 Fleetwood Icon 24A
LinkPro battery monitor
EU2000i generator
|
Curbe
Fulltiming all over the USA
Senior Member
Joined: 10/12/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
rvsatek wrote:This is more common than people think. It usually happens when a very heavy load is placed on a circuit.(electric heater).
This is very true. I bought the Toyhauler used so have no idea what the previous owners did. I'm sure glad I found this and is fixed.
|
sparkydave
Macedonia, OH
Full Member
Joined: 01/22/2006
View Profile
|
Just to add, I had done some checking inside my wiring compartment on my relatively new camper, and found that the yahoos who put it together had jammed too many wires inside too few wire nuts, so some wires were barely making contact and about to fall out. Now this was on the 12 volt side, but still worth mentioning since those could still cause problems.
|
|
|
