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Conquest102 · 10-23-2012, 05:02 PM

Had a bad odor coming from a cabinet over the weekend trip you already heard about

. It has a 12volt plug the attenna booster and GFCI outlet on the underside. Did the nose snoop first then the tear apart.

Started on the 12volt stuff. I DO NOT like 120volt. Nothing wrong on 12volt.

Shut off the 120v power dropped the plug couldn't see any problem. Just getting ready to put it back and noticed the white wire look a little darker than the rest of the wire right where it went across the back of the outlet. Pulled farther and untwisted the MESS of wires and the wire had melted itself into the back of the case about 1\2" long and 1/8" deep at that point.

Started MORE looking FOOL who wired it had to 12 gauge wire for ground and some 18 or 20 gauge wrapped around them to ground the outlet. It was loose and wiggly.

Needless to say the outlet has been REMOVED and new one installed with the ground wired tight and TAPED in place

. Still have a tiny bit of smell but its getting better. GLAD I found this before winterizing we keep it plugged in to be able to use fridge for storage.

Shadowcatche · 10-23-2012, 05:14 PM

Great that you found THIS problem, now the question is how many other shortcuts/screwups are there? Been there done that, the common 120AC was "grounded" to the frame of our trailer, a potential lethal shock hazard and it fried the converter which had the DC "grounded" to the frame. I re did much of the wiring.

Conquest102 · 10-23-2012, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadowcatche

Great that you found THIS problem, now the question is how many other shortcuts/screwups are there? Been there done that, the common 120AC was "grounded" to the frame of our trailer, a potential lethal shock hazard and it fried the converter which had the DC "grounded" to the frame. I re did much of the wiring.

You had to tell me this now I will have to start at the 30amp and check them all

. My biggest question would be is this from the Factory or some weekend warrior

. I don't want to start some thing but it does pose that type of concern.

TXiceman · 10-23-2012, 06:00 PM

Oh, the joys of owning a house that rolls and shakes down the highway. One good habit to get into is once a year, check all of the major electrical connections at the 12 volt and 120 volt panels. Also check the water and sewer connections for tightness.

Ken

desertranger · 10-23-2012, 06:22 PM

I've seen what can happen in a badly wire circuit. You were very fortunate to find all of that.

BCooke · 10-25-2012, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conquest102

You had to tell me this now I will have to start at the 30amp and check them all

. My biggest question would be is this from the Factory or some weekend warrior

. I don't want to start some thing but it does pose that type of concern.

At that point anything in the 120 volt system that is not a finished appliance I would check... outlets, breakers, screws... anything you can get at. (All the time mumbling at the person who caused it, mind you)
I also check tightness of the connections in the spring before use.
Good luck.