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Old 07-19-2017, 09:03 AM   #1
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Burning plastic smell

Woke up this morning and smelled melting plastic in the coach. Wife and I tracked it down to the circuit breaker box. And it was very hot to the touch. None of the circuits were popped. I was hooked up to shore power with the air conditioner running all night. Does anyone think that we have to replace this box? I unplugged it and it cool down and it's no longer making the smell. It was also on a surge protector on a very old post. I have a 2007 Dynamax isata 24 ft on a E450 chassis. Thanks for any help provided...BTW the stains were on the box when I bought the coach 3 months ago. Click image for larger version

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Old 07-19-2017, 09:17 AM   #2
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Somewhere there is a problem you need to track down. Perhaps the AC running all night could have contributed to the problem but it also could be low voltage from the park connection. Could be a loose wire to the circuit breaker box.

Your circuit breaker box may not need to be replaced but you need to see what melted and caused the smell.
Many possibilities that need to be checked.

Hope you find the problem.
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Old 07-19-2017, 09:23 AM   #3
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Without opening the box and seeing any internal damage , it's hard to say what's wrong inside .

If the smell was due to a loose connection at a wire nut , there may be enough slack in the wire , to remove the damaged wire , and get a good /clean/tight connection with a new wire nut.
If the loose connection was due to a set screw and there is any damage to the internal components , you may have to replace the box, if the internal pieces cannot be removed / replaced.
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Old 07-19-2017, 10:39 AM   #4
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DoC808-

I believe that is a Parallax transfer switch mounted on the back of a Parallax converter.

I'm guessing one or more of the wires inside the transfer switch are loose and arcing, causing the burning smell.

These are very important pieces of equipment that must be running safely. To use them as-is is to invite the chance of a coach fire. If I were you, I'd replace them immediately. If you are comfortable doing that yourself, call Randy at Bestconverter (www.bestconverter.com), and have him overnight the parts to you. If you are not comfortable replacing the equipment, contact a local, qualified repair shop to do it for you.
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Old 07-19-2017, 11:15 AM   #5
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I think there should be a fan in that converter/transfer/breaker box. See if you can see it and see if it spins when things get hot.
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Old 07-19-2017, 12:43 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by twinboat View Post
I think there should be a fan in that converter/transfer/breaker box. See if you can see it and see if it spins when things get hot.
I did not hear the fan running, it's usually loud enough to hear easily.
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Old 07-19-2017, 12:47 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by l1v3fr33ord1 View Post
DoC808-

I believe that is a Parallax transfer switch mounted on the back of a Parallax converter.

I'm guessing one or more of the wires inside the transfer switch are loose and arcing, causing the burning smell.

These are very important pieces of equipment that must be running safely. To use them as-is is to invite the chance of a coach fire. If I were you, I'd replace them immediately. If you are comfortable doing that yourself, call Randy at Bestconverter (www.bestconverter.com), and have him overnight the parts to you. If you are not comfortable replacing the equipment, contact a local, qualified repair shop to do it for you.
Copy all. I have to get back to Rochester by Friday so I popped the AC and microwave circuit breaker. And it is not smelling anymore for the time being. I will not be running the AC again until I get it fixed. It'll have to wait till the first of next week. What I'm thinking of doing is flipping the coach batteries off until I get it fixed. But I need to turn it on to get the slide in and out. Otherwise I'm going to limp home
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Old 07-20-2017, 10:24 AM   #8
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WOW! That's scary!
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Old 07-20-2017, 11:00 AM   #9
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I also wouldn't plug in into any shore power or run the generator until it's fixed.
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Old 07-22-2017, 06:16 PM   #10
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Plastic smell, means fire. Fire means injury or death. I would certainly have an electrician or an rv tech check for melted wire. I'm sure it's no fun to jump out of the window of the rv and watch it burn. When in doubt, check it out...
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Old 07-23-2017, 08:37 AM   #11
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Thanks everyone, got it fixed yesterday and back on the road now. Thanks Spinroch
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Old 07-23-2017, 11:42 AM   #12
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Glad you got it handled. Too many people take electricity for granted. It doesn't take much to cause electrical fire. A loose screw in an outlet or breaker, a loose wire nut, or loose neutral will cause arching. Always have it checked out if you smell any burning PLEASE
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Old 07-24-2017, 11:16 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DoC808 View Post
Thanks everyone, got it fixed yesterday and back on the road now. Thanks Spinroch
So, for the benefit of everyone reading this thread what was the problem and solution?
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Old 07-24-2017, 12:24 PM   #14
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Do tell...
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