Bussman Question

[Chickadee]

G'Morning NEWMAR-ITES!! The only thing that comes to mind when I've seen references on this forum to something called "the Bussman" or the "Buss Bar" is Ralph Kramden and his side kick Norton from the old Honeymooners TV show. WHAT THE HECK is this buss bar thing...and WHERE is it? I noticed under Spartan Forum a recall and asked if anyone could tell me under that forum what and where it is. Answers weren't detailed enough for this ol dummy, so I thought I'd ask here on the Newmar Forum. We're now in an 08 Essex, with a K2 Chassis which appears to be included in this recall. ANYWAY.... what's this "Bussman"??? Thanks. Steve & Lynette

[Chickadee]

G'Morning NEWMAR-ITES!! The only thing that comes to mind when I've seen references on this forum to something called "the Bussman" or the "Buss Bar" is Ralph Kramden and his side kick Norton from the old Honeymooners TV show. WHAT THE HECK is this buss bar thing...and WHERE is it? I noticed under Spartan Forum a recall and asked if anyone could tell me under that forum what and where it is. Answers weren't detailed enough for this ol dummy, so I thought I'd ask here on the Newmar Forum. We're now in an 08 Essex, with a K2 Chassis which appears to be included in this recall. ANYWAY.... what's this "Bussman"??? Thanks. Steve & Lynette

[Ecker]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Chickadee:
G'Morning NEWMAR-ITES!! The only thing that comes to mind when I've seen references on this forum to something called "the Bussman" or the "Buss Bar" is Ralph Kramden and his side kick Norton from the old Honeymooners TV show. WHAT THE HECK is this buss bar thing...and WHERE is it? I noticed under Spartan Forum a recall and asked if anyone could tell me under that forum what and where it is. Answers weren't detailed enough for this ol dummy, so I thought I'd ask here on the Newmar Forum. We're now in an 08 Essex, with a K2 Chassis which appears to be included in this recall. ANYWAY.... what's this "Bussman"??? Thanks. Steve & Lynette </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Short answer it's an enclosed fuse block

Go here to see picture -drill down to bottom of page

Bussman

Search Bussman and you'll find several pages of discussion

[SX_RVing]

Hi,

I had similar questions as Chickadee. I had read about the Bussman Box recall as well on the Dutchstar thread, but could not find the box in the front compartment under the driver's seat. I called Spartan and asked about this recall (#07V363). I was told that my 06 K2 chassis was not part of the recall (although the recall notice says that it is). I asked where it was located, and I was told it's a rear Bussman Box located in the engine compartment. I was told that the failures occur within the first 2000 to 3000 miles, and since my MH has 18000 miles it's not subject to recall.

I'm sooooo confused! Just gave up tring to find out if it's part of the recall or not....

I'll ask Newmar to figure it out before my next service appointment in April.

Sebastian

[SX_RVing]

As I posted on the Spartan forum, I find this recall confusing...2000 miles is not a lot of milege or time. So, those that were going to fail have probably already failed. If the Bussman has already failed, it's been replaced and therefore not subject to recall. If it hasn't failed and your Unit has more than 2000 miles, then it's a good one, and not subject to recall.

Sooooo, what's the point of the recall??? To conclude it's not subject to recall????

Anyone have a better answer?

Sebastian

[Ecker]

The question that Spartan should answer is how this latest response squares with the earlier recall posted on gov web site (07V363)that spelled out 3000+ chassis and years. There was no mention in that posting of these exceptions.

NHTSA

Spartan is recalling 3,693 model year 2005-2008 K2, K3, MM, MG, SU, NG, and SG motorhome chassis. There may be a loose connection between the buss bar and a grid pad, due to the pins being slightly smaller diameters after assembly. Electrical power may be lost to components of the major chassis operating systems (engine, transmission, starting, cooling), causing the vehicle to shut down and/or not be capable of powering up. Each vehicle could potentially experience a unique circumstance where one or a combination of the following conditions could occur: loss of electrical power to the engine, transmission, starting and engine cooling systems, operation of the right chassis stop/turn signal and right trailer stop/turn signal, the anti-lock brake system, auxiliary brake system, the heater elements in the air dryer, and the heater element in the water-in-fuel separator. The DVEC bussmann box will be replaced. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign. 07V363

[SX_RVing]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Ecker:
The question that Spartan should answer is how this latest response squares with the earlier recall posted on gov web site (07V363)that spelled out 3000+ chassis and years. There was no mention in that posting of these exceptions.

NHTSA

Spartan is recalling 3,693 model year 2005-2008 K2, K3, MM, MG, SU, NG, and SG motorhome chassis. There may be a loose connection between the buss bar and a grid pad, due to the pins being slightly smaller diameters after assembly. Electrical power may be lost to components of the major chassis operating systems (engine, transmission, starting, cooling), causing the vehicle to shut down and/or not be capable of powering up. Each vehicle could potentially experience a unique circumstance where one or a combination of the following conditions could occur: loss of electrical power to the engine, transmission, starting and engine cooling systems, operation of the right chassis stop/turn signal and right trailer stop/turn signal, the anti-lock brake system, auxiliary brake system, the heater elements in the air dryer, and the heater element in the water-in-fuel separator. The DVEC bussmann box will be replaced. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign. 07V363 </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hi Leo,

I agree 100%....Inclusion of only those vehicles with less than 2000 miles makes very little sense. Essentially it will be a recall where no vehicles are subject to recall...Makes no sense, and therefore my confusion. There has to be more to this.

Sebastian

[JIMGINOH]

I experienced a Bussman fuse panel meltdown on the "house panel". The halogen ceiling lights draw enough current to cause a warming of the fuses. In my case, I put my finger on each fuse to see if they were cool, as a regular checkup.
The way I discovered it, was the fuse was too hot to touch. By wiggling the fuse I could see blue sparks and a melting of the plastic panel.
I replaced the panel with one rated at 30 amps. The original was rated at 20 amp.
I continue to use the 20 amp fuses and they do not heat up now.
Close inspection of the old panel indicates Bussman needs some redesign work. The new panel is much better constructed. It is another brand.
I was an electronics engineer for several years, so I suppose I am more aware of the problem than most.
The problem is with the connection between the fuse and it's recepticle. The loose connection melts the plastic and creats a worse situation.
The best panels have the recepticles "raised". not recessed in plastic (more air circulation).
Anytime you touch a fuse panel and it is even warm you have a problem. Another tip off would be a flickering of the lights, especially when dimmed.
A further improvement is the panel with red LED lights. When a fuse blows, the LED comes on at that fuse. I see these on Ebay all the time.

[Chickadee]

Ecker/SX_RVing/JIMGINOH: Thank you for this discussion and link to the Bussman Box, the picture, and related...."recall"...."non-recall" issue. Still haven't determined whether our Bussman needs attention or not(as we've got about 4,800 mi. on this rig), but your help is priceless. I too think the world of Spartan from experience with our previous MADP, and appreciate the way in which they follow up and get the fix done when required. Next to Spartan, you guys on this iRV2 site are the best. Thank you. Steve & Lynette