Community Forums

PJCatch12 · 06-07-2023, 01:35 PM

Hi all! Hoping you can help me diagnose a strange electrical issue I am having. Randomly, my overhead lights dim, fans slow down, radio goes off and refrigerator goes off and it's "Check" button lights up. The way I "fix" it is to push my 20 amp auto reset fuse to the right (note that no fuses have actually tripped as far as I see). Then it runs for a while before happening again. Duct taping the fuse to pull it to the right seems to help.

Thanks for any assistance you all can provide!!!

Ludo · 06-07-2023, 01:38 PM

If you can get hold of a thermal imaging camera check for hot wires, connectors breakers and switches.

traveldawg · 06-07-2023, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJCatch12

Hi all! Hoping you can help me diagnose a strange electrical issue I am having. Randomly, my overhead lights dim, fans slow down, radio goes off and refrigerator goes off and it's "Check" button lights up. The way I "fix" it is to push my 20 amp auto reset fuse to the right (note that no fuses have actually tripped as far as I see). Then it runs for a while before happening again. Duct taping the fuse to pull it to the right seems to help.

Thanks for any assistance you all can provide!!!

I think if you provide the following information it would help everyone help you.....

1. Year, make, model of RV
2. What does the "20 amp auto reset fuse" control?
3. Does the fuse trip or do you just have to hold it to the right?

Taping the fuse is a bad idea. Fires start that way.

Maybe try replacing the fuse first. But, truly, some electrical diagnosis is in order first; like measuring voltage on each side of the fuse, etc.

Argosy · 06-07-2023, 05:10 PM

Another vote to change the breaker, they wear out like pretty much everything else.

twinboat · 06-07-2023, 05:15 PM

Fuse panels have wires connected to the terminals, behind the panel.
Some are push on, some have screws holding the wires and others have copper bars behind there.
All of these connections can loosen up over time and cause your problem.

Time to take a look, after disconnecting your batteries and pulled the shore power.

PJCatch12 · 06-08-2023, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by traveldawg

I think if you provide the following information it would help everyone help you.....

1. Year, make, model of RV
2. What does the "20 amp auto reset fuse" control?
3. Does the fuse trip or do you just have to hold it to the right?

Taping the fuse is a bad idea. Fires start that way.

Maybe try replacing the fuse first. But, truly, some electrical diagnosis is in order first; like measuring voltage on each side of the fuse, etc.

1. 2019 Jayco White Hawk 24MBH
2. Controls the awning and the slide
3. Fuse does not trip. Just have to push it to right. Did try a new one and same results.

shootist · 06-08-2023, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJCatch12

1. 2019 Jayco White Hawk 24MBH
2. Controls the awning and the slide
3. Fuse does not trip. Just have to push it to right. Did try a new one and same results.

20 amps is one wall socket in your house. You're running your whole trailer on it. Maybe you're just overloading the thing. Is there a battery charger kicking on your not aware of? A water heater? And yeah, taping the breaker is a good way to burn it down.

Olyteddy · 06-08-2023, 11:52 AM

Loose connection. Either the wire going to (or from) the fuse or a worn out contact. You should be able to see the problem.

PJCatch12 · 06-08-2023, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shootist

20 amps is one wall socket in your house. You're running your whole trailer on it. Maybe you're just overloading the thing. Is there a battery charger kicking on your not aware of? A water heater? And yeah, taping the breaker is a good way to burn it down.

Seems to happen randomly, not aware of anything that turns on when it happens. So is that 20amp fuse not the right amperage? Do I need a 50amp?

twinboat · 06-08-2023, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJCatch12

Seems to happen randomly, not aware of anything that turns on when it happens. So is that 20amp fuse not the right amperage? Do I need a 50amp?

Do not install a larger fuse, it can cause an overload and fire.

Shootist is mixing 120 volts with your 12 volt issue.

PJCatch12 · 06-13-2023, 10:52 AM

Looked at fuse and it’s inserted properly. Seems like contacts are in good shape. Do you think bringing in an electrician would be better than a RV repair service?

traveldawg · 06-13-2023, 11:07 AM

I'm going to guess that since holding it to one side makes things work better the socket/PC Board the fuse socket is mounted to is bad/loose/burnt/ came unsoldered.

You may have to pull that whole panel out to inspect behind it. Be sure to unplug from shore power, turn any inverter(s) off and disconnect your batteries first.

Skip426 · 06-13-2023, 11:09 AM

Thanks for posting the photos .

The top half of the power distribution panel is 120 volt circuit breakers ; the bottom half are 12 volt fuses .

From the description on the diagram which 120 volt circuit breaker are you holding ( resetting ) when the issue occurs ?

Skip426 · 06-13-2023, 11:19 AM

The only 20 amp / 12 volt circuit breaker in the diagram is for the slide motor and a fault there should not effect lighting.

The 20 amp / 120 volt circuit breakers are for the roof A/C units and microwave . we really need to know if this is a 120 volt issue related possibly to converter function , or strictly a 12 volt issue .