Porch Light Nightmare and a safety issue |
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Brownie
Newbie Joined: 06 Oct 2019 Location: SE MI Status: Offline Points: 14 |
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Posted: 17 Aug 2020 at 9:37am |
Our porch light didn't work when we bought our "new" '18 176T. (Questionable, from Jeff Couch's RV, but for a different discussion). The light fixture itself was bad because the lens was cracked and water got in, rusting the incandescent socket. I figured no problem and contacted the dealer and told them I could repair if they sent a new one. They sent a new lens. Thanks.
I bought a new LED fixture and set about installing it. Like any good installer, I connected the light and checked it before finalizing the installation. Nada. Zip. No light. After testing the light with a direct connection to the battery to prove the light was functional, I started checking wires. I checked everything and the wires seemed ok, but every time I moved something I heard the snap of a small spark and the fan on the inverter started, then would stop. I eventually found the offending wires. Screwed to the floor behind the inverter is a ground block and a 12V master breaker. Both sides of the wire installed on the breaker were loose. While one side with a single wire was snug and just needed a few turns, the other terminal with two wires was so loose the nut may as well have not even been installed. The slightest touch or movement made it loose contact. After tightening both I rechecked the light and it worked. This really makes no sense. The porch light is on the same circuit as the interior lights, and that can be proven by pulling the top 15A fuse. They worked fine with the loose wire. Nonetheless, having found no other loose wires this seems to have fixed the problem and I was able to complete the new light installation. If it ever stops working again I'll disconnect the wires from the nuts and solder them. I urge you to access the same area in your camper and check the wires on the breaker, or do I like did and check them all. A loose connection there can cause things to get hot, not to mention messing with the tow vehicle charging system while connected.
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mcarter
Senior Member Joined: 12 Apr 2017 Location: Greenbrier, TN Status: Offline Points: 239 |
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Good post. Thanks Brownie
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Mike Carter
2015 178 |
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Kingskerswell
Senior Member Joined: 02 Oct 2018 Location: Kelowna BC Status: Offline Points: 141 |
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Very well documented..This will be put in my R-Pod file! Thanks
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