Community Forums

marjoa · 06-04-2017, 08:07 PM

I have read in other posts that it’s a prudent thing to check electrical connections in the transfer box. (pic1) So I decided today to check mine. Removing the cover was the hardest part, because of the confined area to get a screwdriver to the two (2) screws that are located on top of the cover to remove them. (pic2) Once the cover was removed, I took an allen wrench and yes, every one of these electrical connections was loose. (pic3) About 3 or 4 of them took about a 1/2 a turn before it was snug again. I’ve read that others backed these screws out a little, applied a little Blue Locktite and then tightened them down. I chose not to do that.

So yes, this is a good item to put on your maintenance list and probably check it every once in awhile, depending on how much you drive, which would increase the chances of them wiggling loose.

imob · 06-04-2017, 08:31 PM

GOOD POST! It is always a good idea to keep in mind that these things are houses on wheels. And unlike a house (at least unless you are in California

) that this things shake, rattle, and vibrate. The locktite squirt is a good idea as well.

windsorbill · 06-04-2017, 09:27 PM

Good info. I'd also mention to be absolutely 100% certain that ALL power sources are turned off.

Hgrace56 · 06-04-2017, 10:57 PM

DO NOT USE LOCKTITE ON ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS.
Copper expands and contracts with time pressure and heat.
It is very common practice to torque lugs down and wait a short time and retighten.
Also common to firmly wrap on the Allen wrench or screwdriver after tightening to compress the strands.
If you use LOCKTITE you may not be able to tighten again or even know if they are loose.

40 plus years master electrician and contractor.

Good luck

dabrooks · 06-05-2017, 04:50 AM

I check mine at the beginning of every season. I do back mine off 1/4 turn and then tighten but I do not use Loctite. I also turn everything off including the inverter.

bruceisla · 06-05-2017, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hgrace56

DO NOT USE LOCKTITE ON ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS.
Copper expands and contracts with time pressure and heat.
It is very common practice to torque lugs down and wait a short time and retighten.
Also common to firmly wrap on the Allen wrench or screwdriver after tightening to compress the strands.
If you use LOCKTITE you may not be able to tighten again or even know if they are loose.

40 plus years master electrician and contractor.

Good luck

X2 !!

vettenuts · 06-05-2017, 05:28 AM

Part of my annual spring preparation for travel.

Bigd9 · 06-05-2017, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hgrace56

DO NOT USE LOCKTITE ON ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS.
Copper expands and contracts with time pressure and heat.
It is very common practice to torque lugs down and wait a short time and retighten.
Also common to firmly wrap on the Allen wrench or screwdriver after tightening to compress the strands.
If you use LOCKTITE you may not be able to tighten again or even know if they are loose.

40 plus years master electrician and contractor.

Good luck

imob · 06-05-2017, 07:19 AM

I understand the concerns expressed. However, every ATS I have installed has had Loctite blue on the lugs from the factory.

Blue not Red mind you.

hohenwald48 · 06-05-2017, 02:17 PM

A lot of the electrical products in RVs were designed for land based homes. They just didn't have a reason to make the stuff immune to vibrations. Tightening electrical connections is just something you should do on a routine basis.

Dutch Star Don · 06-05-2017, 07:01 PM

Now that you've done that, go to your 110 volt circuit breakers, inside the coach, remove the cover and do the same thing. Tighten down all of the grounds and connections to the circuit breakers. Just like your ATS, the circuit breaker connections will loosen too!