Another dang Electrical Problem...

[Mochisme]

Ok, I am the first to admit I am electrical challenged, I don't understand most of what is explained to me, and I don't want to as there are way too many people out there that enjoy the stuff and sharing their knowledge so that I have no need except to ask... Right?

OK, my dash board (see attached photo, if I can do that right it will be just below this) has two 12V DC outlets. At one time they had power, now they do not.

Duh... I guess I need to check fuses, but I don't know why the fuse would blow, but then what do I know about electrical stuff except it works or it don't work....

I have tried the Radio Power Switch to see if that supplied power to them, it don't. There is an AUX Switch to the left of the steering wheel, and it also makes no difference (so what the heck does the AUX Switch do?, but that is a question for another time.)

I need these two 12V DC outlets to power my GPS and my Sat Radio, so any knowledgable and helpful suggestions are welcome. (I do not wish to remove the dashboard to get to the back of these critters, but if I have to I have to...)

[jimbo16720]

Well first thing is check the fuses. They usually don't have a switch to turn those outlets off and on. If they had power before the only thing it could be is a fuse.

[OneRVer]

On my rig, one outlet is tied to the battery (always hot) and the other is hot when the key is turned on. On my other rig, both were tied to the battery and they both shared the same fuse. Also the fuse box was part of the chassis which put the fuse's up and under the dash. Hope this helps.

[Sequim Guy]

I only have one, but it also died one time for no reason, still don't know why.
BUT, after checking the fuses by the driver's feet, finally opened the hood/grill and found the fuse in one of the boxes on the firewall. There are 2 or 3 boxes of fuses and relays mounted there and after checking most of them I finally found it, incorrectly marked of course.
At least I finally got it fixed.
That's where I would start checking fuses before I tore the dash apart. (like I did)

Our F-53s are only one year apart, so I'm guessing you fuses may be located in a similar place.


.

[Mochisme]

I was going to check the fuses, but had to go to a Civil Air Patrol function with my Grandson last night and did not have time, so it is high on the schedule for tonight. I can not recall seeing any fuses in the front of the MH, but there is a big fuse panel in a basement compartment on the drivers side, so the cover will come off tonight when I get home from work (Only two more days of that, Woo Hoo).

I am hoping it is not comnon on these MH's to have in-line fuses hidden up under the dash because I will never get my fat A** under there, would have to tear the front apart. Thanks for the suggestions on possable fuse locations, with my luck it or they will not be in a easy access location.

[Rex]

The fuse may be an in-line and up behind the dash if not in the big fuse box. The AUX switch is used to tie both battery banks together when the chassis battery is low so you can get the engine started.

The radio switch has two functions. In one position it allows the radio to work while the ignition is on and your are traveling. In the other position it lets the radio work when you are parked and the ignition is off.

[Mochisme]

Thanks Rex, that is a big help. I had kind of figured out the radio switch, but the AUX switch had me stumped and I have read the manuals twice and do not recall seeing anything about that.

[Mochisme]

Ok on the 3rd fuse panel I inspected and 40+ fuses later I final found a bad one and wouldn't you know it was the very last one to check. No not because I stopped when I found it, IT WAS the last fuse to check....


It was in a Ford Fuse Box accessable from the grill area. There was a fuse labeled Cig Lighter on a panel accessable from a basement location on the drivers side, but it was good, so I kept digging.


Now I just have to hit up a Ford Dealer or RV Dealership and get a replacement and a couple spares.

[OneRVer]

You should be able to get them at any Auto Parts store. With that being said, I have never seen a fuse like that one. Always something new.

[Mochisme]

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneRVer You should be able to get them at any Auto Parts store. With that being said, I have never seen a fuse like that one. Always something new.

Same here, that is why I said a Ford Dealership, they are getting like IBM with computers that do not have interchangable parts...

[Sequim Guy]

The one I had blown out was a regular one, I haven't seen one like that either.

[Dunner]

Mochisme, If you "HAVE", to get it from a Ford dealer, I'd like to know the price of one. Several years ago, I think I read that if a part or fluid is only available from a dealer or it says you must use their product, like tranny fluid, it was supposed to be free.

[Mochisme]

Well one of the Car Gadget types that works for me took a look at my "fuse" and the photo I posted and promptly informed me it was not a fuse, but a Diode. He also went on to inform me that based upon the condition of the prongs that it most likely was a spare and that when I tested it I connected the tester incorrectly as a diode allows current to pass in one direction.

Well I could not say if I tested the two in the same manner or not, so I don't know as this was and is all new to me. The other point about the condition of the prongs hit home, but I had not noticed as it failed my testing. But all the other fuses I had pulled and tested were toned from heat or whatever, but this Diode is not, and he says that is because it is not in contact with metal and is a spare Ford provided.

LOL at myself, he also showed me in my manual (which I took to work for him to look at) that I had/have missed one fuse box which is hidden under the dashboard on the passenger side. Dang and I thought I had found them all too. So I am stopping at good old Harbor Freight on the way home this evening and stock up on a variety of fuses so if I find the bad one or have one go bad in the future I will have a replacement in hand no matter where I am at at the time.

Still living and still learning and I think that is a good way to be...

[OneRVer]

Yes,,, but,,,are your outlets working??????