Bussman Switch Malfunction

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

Today while cleaning my battery box I inadvertantly flooded the storage compartment that holds the bussman switch. As i was removing the water from the compartment the starter started turning over. I cut the main chassis power off...the starter stopped. I finished cleaning the water, turned the main power switch on started the engine, let it run for a few minutes. Then I went to turn the engine off with the key..engine kept running, turned the main chassis switch off..engine kept running, disconnected the positive battery terminal..engine stopped. I called Spartan talked to a tech named Wes who suggested that I remove all 8 connectors and dry them, which I did using my wife's hair dryer. THEN I reconnected everything, turned the main chassis switch on attempted to start the engine I gott an ABS malfunction on the screen, all gauges activated, But no START. No noise from the fuel pump engine responds as though there is no power at all.
Anyone had this problem or heard of it... any suggestions? I'll call Spartan in the morning and see if they have any suggestions.

Ronnie

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

Today while cleaning my battery box I inadvertantly flooded the storage compartment that holds the bussman switch. As i was removing the water from the compartment the starter started turning over. I cut the main chassis power off...the starter stopped. I finished cleaning the water, turned the main power switch on started the engine, let it run for a few minutes. Then I went to turn the engine off with the key..engine kept running, turned the main chassis switch off..engine kept running, disconnected the positive battery terminal..engine stopped. I called Spartan talked to a tech named Wes who suggested that I remove all 8 connectors and dry them, which I did using my wife's hair dryer. THEN I reconnected everything, turned the main chassis switch on attempted to start the engine I gott an ABS malfunction on the screen, all gauges activated, But no START. No noise from the fuel pump engine responds as though there is no power at all.
Anyone had this problem or heard of it... any suggestions? I'll call Spartan in the morning and see if they have any suggestions.

Ronnie

[Jetsmania]

Hi! My guess is, something is still shorted. Hopefully letting it sit in heat for awhile will dry out the problem, and you didn't do any permanent damage. Paul

["007"]

Can you remove the bussman switch and use your wifes hair dryer on that may have water in switch and hopefully not shorted out.

[Dav5942]

Most likely still wet or a blown part. Spartan had a recall to mount the Bussman on the wall off of the floor.

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

I worked with Spartan yesterday troubleshooting the switch. All fuses/relays ok. Used meter to determine voltage in. Spartan tech, Jim, very helpful. Determined based on the above that the switch was bad. Ordered a new switch, requested overnight delivery and should be here this AM.
Spartan also advised that they had notified Newmar that installation on the floor of the compartment (below the battery slide on my coach) was not a good idea. I am awaiting a call back from Newmar on alternative location or recommendation as the length of available wire limits repositioning.

[jjbsmith]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43':
Today while cleaning my battery box I inadvertantly flooded the storage compartment that holds the bussman switch.

Ronnie </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Ronnie, At least you did it to yourself. Our 2007 Allstar floods the compartment while driving down any wet road. The spray off the rear wheel wheel-well is all over the battery compartment and runs down the door past the seals into the inverter/bussman compartment which is below the battery compartment. Every thing is now corroded. Another design flaw complements of Newmar.

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

Well! the new Bussman switch did not correct the problem, but I do now here the pump working in the on position. When the key is turned further to start NOTHING! Spartan continues to be of help and I finally got a local Truck repair center to agree to send a tech out in the AM. So hopefully with a tech and support from Spartan tommorrow will be a good day

Ronnie

[jjbsmith]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">
Spartan also advised that they had notified Newmar that installation on the floor of the compartment (below the battery slide on my coach) was not a good idea. I am awaiting a call back from Newmar on alternative location or recommendation as the length of available wire limits repositioning. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Ronnie, I agree with Spartan. The bottom (where the water collects) of the compartment is a stupid place to mount any electronics. Both the bussman and the inverter are sitting in a puddle of water on my Allstar. I also think that the compartment is too small for the inverter. Xantrex puts lots of vents in the inverter for cooling and Newmar puts the inverter in a small unvented compartment. Humidity and corrosion are also a problem in small unvented compartments. Who designs these compartments? I am looking for a new location for my inverter but my options are limited. I saw an inverter mounted on the cieling of a big storage compartment in an older Dutch Star. This is a much better design.

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

More bad news...the starter is FRIED. Apparently what happened when I started the engine and could not shut it down is that the starter relay in the Bussman switch caused the starter to remain engaged. Solenoid burned out and the shop says the starter is very weak...more to come.
Also, Spartan advised that it is possible should the Bussman switch get wet for the starter to attempt to self start, get hot, and possibly catch fire. While I'm waiting to get a starter I'll modify the installation, At least raise it off the floor a couple of inches. I don't have any idea on waterproofing so suggestions would be appreciated.

Ronnie

[Dav5942]

Our Bussman is mounted on the side wall about 3" off the floor. We "duct taped" the open areas around the inverter compartment as a temporay fix to minimize dirt/water, etc. until a better fix arises. The dirt you see in the picture is from 2 months traveling in Alaska on some pretty rough(dirt/gravel)roads. As you may know washing vehicles in Alaska is at a premium.(Never had a vehicle dirty for long in 50 years until here). The white is from baking soda we have been using to keep the battery acid down.(Verdict is not in yet on if they really work) Now are using the caps others have recommended.
We have had no water enter the inverter compartment.

[jjbsmith]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Dav5942:
Our Bussman is mounted on the side wall about 3" off the floor. We "duct taped" the open areas around the inverter compartment as a temporay fix to minimize dirt/water, etc. until a better fix arises. The dirt you see in the picture is from 2 months traveling in Alaska on some pretty rough(dirt/gravel)roads.
We have had no water enter the inverter compartment.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Dave, your Bussman is in a much better position than mine. I must own an Allstar built before Newmar figured out that the compartment leaks. The Spartan shop who did the recall on the Bussman refused to mount the switch on blocks as I requested. The dealer's solution to the leaky compartment was to install a double seal on the door and smooy silicon on all possible breaches in the wheel-well. We have not driven on any wet roads yet so I can't report on how well the dealers fix works. All the electrical connections show signs of corrosion and I am just waiting for the inverter to give trouble. I,ll try and post a picture of the dealers fix but we are on the road now and finding time for tech stuff is difficult.