Community Forums

VickyfromNZ · 01-09-2018, 10:03 PM

We're new to the RV life and love our La Palma but .....

after a few months of working fine ......
All the drivers side lights in the bedroom went out. Found the fuse was blown and replaced it with a new one (same 15 amps). We've now gone thru 3 fuses and are living without those lights.

Only things on that circuit should be 2 incandescents, 3 18W bulbs, a couple of small halogens and the lights in the closets - and we never have them all on at the same time! Even if we did, shouldn't draw 15 amps.

Anyone had a similar problem or any suggestions? Thanks

Vicky & Phil

windsorbill · 01-09-2018, 10:15 PM

when you put the new fuse in, does it blow right away or is there a delay?

VickyfromNZ · 01-09-2018, 10:40 PM

With new fuse the lights work OK first time. After you switch them off, the next time you try them the fuse is blown.

Old-Biscuit · 01-09-2018, 10:47 PM

Fuses blowing ..........SHORT in wiring or fixture

Stop replacing fuses......until you FIND/FIX that short

Could be bad socket could be a screw/staple thru a wire

Charlie and Martha · 01-09-2018, 10:50 PM

I agree with Old-Biscuit. Better safe than sorry. I have had so many electrical problems I leave nothing to chance now.

nodine · 01-10-2018, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VickyfromNZ

We're new to the RV life and love our La Palma but .....

after a few months of working fine ......
All the drivers side lights in the bedroom went out. Found the fuse was blown and replaced it with a new one (same 15 amps). We've now gone thru 3 fuses and are living without those lights.

Only things on that circuit should be 2 incandescents, 3 18W bulbs, a couple of small halogens and the lights in the closets - and we never have them all on at the same time! Even if we did, shouldn't draw 15 amps.

Anyone had a similar problem or any suggestions? Thanks

Vicky & Phil

Suggest you pull each fixture from the wall and check the wiring behind and inside the fixture. Start with the one you use the most. Most likely a sloppy wiring job at the factory and a bare section of a +12 VDC feed wire is very close to ground. Any slight movement and it makes contact thus blowing the fuse. It could also be the internal wiring on one of the fixtures is chafed and when the light is turned on that wire is now live with +12 VDC and the chafe makes contact with ground and blows the fuse. Just the movement introduced by switching on the fixture could cause the short.

Bob

JohnBoyToo · 01-10-2018, 06:48 AM

Sounds like it takes heating up to cause it to blow....
in an emergency you COULD get a thermal fuse that resets when it cools down, but agree with previous posters, find the problem so the next short is not a fire....

VickyfromNZ · 01-10-2018, 11:36 AM

Thanks, everyone for the suggestions. I'll work on it!

Phil

MSHappyCampers · 01-10-2018, 03:02 PM

Hi !

Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

I think "nodine" is on the right track! Keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

YC1 · 01-12-2018, 06:02 PM

Welcome to the forum:

Turn all lights off. Replace fuse. Turn a few lights on and off and see if problem occurs. If not, try another few lights thus trying to sort it out.

VickyfromNZ · 01-16-2018, 11:18 AM

Thanks again everyone. I checked all the fixtures as suggested and found (and fixed) the problem. One of the closet lights had never worked since we bought the RV last year, and we hadn't bothered to replace the bulb.
I discovered there was no bulb in the fixture and the metal reflector plate had come loose and was shorting the terminals every time the closet door was opened.
Previous owner must have removed the bulb and over time the reflector plate came loose! Lesson learned. Thanks again for the help.

Phil (& Vicky)

nodine · 01-17-2018, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VickyfromNZ

Thanks again everyone. I checked all the fixtures as suggested and found (and fixed) the problem. One of the closet lights had never worked since we bought the RV last year, and we hadn't bothered to replace the bulb.
I discovered there was no bulb in the fixture and the metal reflector plate had come loose and was shorting the terminals every time the closet door was opened.
Previous owner must have removed the bulb and over time the reflector plate came loose! Lesson learned. Thanks again for the help.

Phil (& Vicky)

When we first purchased our coach we were occasionally having a problem with one of the circuit breakers tripping in the main AC panel. I was pulling my hair for awhile trying to figure it out and then one day noticed that the sliding closet door would sometimes catch the breaker and move it to the tripped position.

Glad you found your problem and it was an easy fix.

Bob