Community Forums

MartySQ · 03-10-2012, 03:10 PM

. went to plug my old lady in and she sparked, and flared fire out. Pulled it apart and ran to shutoff power source. The plug end has a modifier/adaptor on it, hubby wants to take it to an RV fix it place and let them track down the short because he doesn't have time to do that and doesn't know enough about it.
Is it ok to use a adapter or where do I find an appropriate extension to the stick house power for checking things out, cleaning, and etc. while we are readying it for use?

\

And why is there a female end in the camper there where the cord comes out from? What will that be used for? Surely I don't need to plug the generator into that to charge up the batteries do I? ( Generator did not come with camper... it rides in a compartment but must be removed and set outside for use... previous folks had it hooked up on rear bumper/platform but last owner didn't like that and undid that set up.)

wb7auk · 03-10-2012, 03:45 PM

You might be lucky and all that needs replaced is that adapter. The female plug you show is for generator output and you plug your power cord into that when you use it.
This unit does not use a transfer switch so you do the work it does.
Having said that remember that was the way it worked unknown if that is the case now.
The adapter you show has a high failure rate if over loaded for what it is rated.

Wallaby Dan · 03-10-2012, 05:36 PM

The Generator is what that female plug was for. I had that and took it out and put in the relay box that lets up start up the generator and then it will switch over automatically as it needs to. Fire could mean a short in the wiring somewhere. I would look at a mouse nest. Those little critters love to chew on the wire. Sometimes chew all the way threw the wire. I have had my share of that stuff!!! They can get inside threw the smallest places. They also love engines and the wiring with them too!! Best of luck and let us know what you found out, Dan

MartySQ · 03-10-2012, 09:10 PM

Will replace adapter first and try again and see if that's all we need to do. Thanks...

BoJango · 03-11-2012, 07:02 AM

Turn off the circuit breaker from the house first. Then it will not spark when you plug the old lady in. Those prongs on that adapter seem to be a little short. It might help to wrap a little electrical tape around the connection to help hold it tight.
I installed a 30 amp circuit breaker and dedicated it for the motorhome. I ran #10 wire and installed a box with a 30 amp female receptacle. I kept the motorhome plugged in while at home. When I am getting ready to leave a campground, I always plug my pig tail (wire/cable) into the receptacle you showed in the picture. Then if for any reason I need the generator, I simply have to press the switch button. I have even cranked the generator just to make coffee while traveling.

MartySQ · 03-13-2012, 10:14 PM

Well, got our courage up and went back out to the MH to investigate the electrical situation a little more. The adapter is fine. Turned off the breakers inside the MH and hooked her up again and one by one tried the different switches... Breaker , breaker number 4 is the offending culprit. So, off to the fix it fella tomorrow for her. (That's after she gets her temp tag and inspected by the state). Planning on an Easter weekend campout with friends who do a lot of camping and have had and built campers over the years, so they can help us set her up right, help troubleshoot, and educate us a little more on things. Hope the heater works well enough if it's cold... however, it could just be air conditioning weather... made it into the 80's in Kansas today!

BoJango · 03-14-2012, 02:16 AM

Your camper probably requires a 30 amp or 50 amp circuit. If that is the case, you can only run things like the lights off your 15 amp or 20 amp house plugs. It will not run everything. For instance it will not run the AC. What amp is #4 breaker? It is best to have an electrician install a dedicated circuit to handle the load.

wa8yxm · 03-14-2012, 09:11 AM

YOu said #4 is the offender.. What (Other than #4) is on the label. Or did they leave it "Unlabeled"?

(What does #4 power)

MerryK · 03-14-2012, 09:31 AM

Ok, this looks like it's the place for me and Ethyl. Ethyl is a 1986 Holiday Rambler Imperial. Poor old girl has a blown motor but that's not the issue at the moment. I ran a dedicated power circuit just for her * 30 amp, 10 gauge* (the electricians just left) and although there is power to Ethyl, nothing in the her will turn on. In the owner's manual, it says to turn on the switch but I can't find a switch or circuit box (fuse box is by driver's seat) and don't know where to look. Any suggestions?

Ragingbull · 03-14-2012, 11:23 AM

Did the electrician verify power inside the motor home at all? Typically there is a switch close by the entrance door or possibly a cabinet close to the converter. On my 79 Pace arrow there is one right next to the converter below the bottom bunk. This turns on the converter to allow 110 and 12 volt service.

MerryK · 03-14-2012, 11:29 AM

If you were replying to me, yes, I had the electricians come check if anything worked. They verified it didn't and suggested I call an RV repair person. They had *done their job and got power out to the RV and weren't qualified to go any further*.

MartySQ · 03-14-2012, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MerryK

Ok, this looks like it's the place for me and Ethyl. Ethyl is a 1986 Holiday Rambler Imperial. Poor old girl has a blown motor but that's not the issue at the moment. I ran a dedicated power circuit just for her * 30 amp, 10 gauge* (the electricians just left) and although there is power to Ethyl, nothing in the her will turn on. In the owner's manual, it says to turn on the switch but I can't find a switch or circuit box (fuse box is by driver's seat) and don't know where to look. Any suggestions?

Our breaker box is under the closet in a door. I don't know where yours would be. You just have to open all the doors and look around.

@ Bo and Wa8tyxm......As for what they are labeled, I didn't look, Hubby did... but when plugged in, the air conditioner came on, and several other things hubby tried... the old lady is in the hands of the best RV guy in the Lower KC metro area....right out here at my hometown! I felt good handing her over as others have highly recommended him... and I think it is a simple problem to fix.

Steve N Sal · 03-14-2012, 03:14 PM

Replace the adapter that you show and you should be OK. The receptacle that is shown IS for the generator.

MartySQ · 03-20-2012, 04:45 PM

Ya'll were right! Fellas up at the fixit place said they couldn't recreate the situation we had, everything looked good... the breaker was for the outlets and nothing was plugged into them. The adapter did melt some inside so we have to get another, but the electric coming in the extension cord from the stick house must have caused the problem. ( the ext. cord is old and needs replaced anyway.)