Community Forums

CosmikDebris · 04-05-2021, 07:24 AM

Just landed in our new campsite and went to turn on the light over the dinette. I first thought that it was not working but could see a dim glow. The only other 12v power in the slide is over the couch, and same thing there, just a dim glow.
I suspect either a bad connection or loose but at converter. I thought I'd just pull the blade fuse for that run until I get to better temps outside to troubleshoot but the fuse labeled as slide lights, when removed, still allowed that dim glow. Mislabeled? Symptom of a weirder problem?
I know that there's a junction box under the slide, so assumed I'd start there. There is one AC outlet in the dinette and I'm wondering if they would run AC and DC wiring together.
It seems that others have reported finding loose connections at the converter so that may be my issue.

egwilly · 04-05-2021, 07:59 AM

Loose/detached ground fitting. Time for the multi-meter.

CosmikDebris · 04-05-2021, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by egwilly

Loose/detached ground fitting. Time for the multi-meter.

I agree, but where to find that rascal? I may call ORV to find out how this was wired to avoid the Easter egg hunt for this run.

egwilly · 04-05-2021, 09:24 AM

Yes, they have schematics for their trailers.

But, some are not wired exactly as shown due to variations at build.

I would check the voltage at the lights. Easy to access. Then on to the j-box.

Highway 4x4 · 04-05-2021, 10:48 AM

Run a 2nd temp ground and see if that cures it.

keymastr · 04-05-2021, 01:10 PM

Look under the slide for a junction box. Many have one there and it may have a bad ground. There is also a junction box behind the tongue that has an access panel cut in the coroplast with screws holding the cover on. There should be a ground bus there as well.

Randy the sly old fox · 04-05-2021, 01:11 PM

The slide lights have a junction box near the frame - people have found this full of water and correded connections - check there first.

pdxgwj · 04-08-2021, 03:26 PM

When you find the junction box don’t be directly under it when you open it up, the water inside isn’t very clean. For what it’s worth that’s experience talking.

CosmikDebris · 04-08-2021, 04:05 PM

I'm away from the rv for a week. When i get back to it how would i try another ground? Ive opened the junction box and there are two wires. There is, as i remember it, a white pair and a red or black pair, crimped together.
The cover was snug and inside was clean and dry.
I tried getting my multimeter into them and best I could get was only 8v. Might not have been good enough but I'll cut them and check again. If I only get 8v there, what then, pull the power center?

Super Thirty · 04-08-2021, 04:40 PM

I had a similar issue with the lights in my slide last January except my lights went out completely. I still had power in the power outlets but no lights. Contacted Tod at ORV for the 12 volt diagram for our 260 RLS. He emailed it to me and it was helpful to follow the wiring. Under the slide along one rail is the 12v dc wiring and under the other was the 110. They were coiled up around rails for the slide. There was a small square corplast panel under the trailer and that is where we found the junction of the wiring. A crimp style connector had failed. Replaced the connection and back in business.

egwilly · 04-09-2021, 06:18 PM

Standard crimps are not good in weather situations. Corrosion and other issues affect them.

The good ones are the connectors with solder inside and a shrink wrap type material outside. Heat it with a small torch or heat gun seals it for good. Never have to go back and do it over.

I use these in my garden lighting system to prevent dead circuits.