Community Forums

machlin · 05-22-2018, 07:57 PM

We have a 2018 Aspect 27K. We bought it 11 days ago. Today we went on our maiden camping trip. After about 3 hours of being connected to the camp ground's electrical service we smelled an electrical fire. My DW smelled it first. When I went around the RV to the side of the electrical connection I smelled it too. I crouched down to the electric cable and was convinced that was the source.

I disconnected the power and went to open the door for the electrical cable. I could see light smoke coming out the the smell was overwhelming. The power was off. I checked the cable and it was not frayed. I touched the Surge Guard ATS box and it was very hot. I called the dealership and the Park. The Park electrician checked the electrical post and it was good. I opened the ATS with a lot of effort. The wires were fried.

Has anyone else had a similar problem?

machlin

iamblum · 05-22-2018, 08:00 PM

So scary, glad you guys were awake and alert at the time

vsheetz · 05-22-2018, 08:31 PM

Yes. Not uncommon.

Likely a not tight connection. #1 killer of transfer switches. Open your switch at least yearly and snug up the connections. They loosen from heat cycling.

**TonyDi** · 05-22-2018, 08:53 PM

Good thing your DW has a good sense of smell. Glad you are okay.

avfordguy · 05-22-2018, 10:17 PM

X2 loose connectons

Unplanned Tourist · 05-22-2018, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsheetz

Yes. Not uncommon.

Likely a not tight connection. #1 killer of transfer switches. Open your switch at least yearly and snug up the connections. They loosen from heat cycling.

Yep. Keep them tight!

Arch Hoagland · 05-22-2018, 11:07 PM

Covered under warranty I hope.

Let us know how they treat you.

SarahW · 05-22-2018, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

Covered under warranty I hope.

Let us know how they treat you.

+1 Pretty scary stuff for an 11-day old RV.

nosticks · 05-23-2018, 05:24 AM

Yes happened to me and ruined our Christmas trip. The problem is simple and I have told the RV manufacturer why it occurs. The ATS is shipped to the RV manufacturer with pre-stripped wires. The pre-strip is too short and the highly talented assembly line workers just use it as is rather than lengthen the stripped area. They use wire nuts in the build process. There is not enough exposed wire to make a good connection, but hey, keep the line moving, jamb that nut on there, next coach.

I redid mine using butt connectors. Wire nuts on something moving down the road shaking and vibrating is stupid and a bad method to fasten the wires together.

MisterT · 05-23-2018, 05:44 AM

I agree that probably a loose NEUTRAL, but just my opinion, as it happened to me on my shore cord, as well. While aggravating, it should be a 'simple' replacement, even a DIY if you want...with the only drawback in losing some of the length of wiring that was fried, but maybe the factory provided enough to not have to do any additional splicing.

nosticks · 05-23-2018, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterT

While aggravating, it should be a 'simple' replacement, even a DIY if you want...with the only drawback in losing some of the length of wiring that was fried, but maybe the factory provided enough to not have to do any additional splicing.

Let me tell you about that simple replacement. First you have to get to the fried ATS. Mine was first removing the Inverter which was sandwiched between the bed surround and the ATS next to the panel/converter. Burned wires did not describe the melted mess. No they didn't leave enough slack wire which lead to more splices. It was a memorable diy project and I was within the warranty period, but 2 1/2 hrs. to a repair facility and 2 1/2 back said just do it yourself and do it right. So far so good.

machlin · 05-23-2018, 05:30 PM

Thanks to everyone who responded,

I have an update on my ATS fire. The dealership installed an ATS 'replacement'. They received a new one but one of the posts was broken and could not be installed. They took one off of a 2018 Aspect 30J on their line with permission from Winnebago.

The technician told me that two of the bolts, on the burned ATS, were welded to the wire and could not be removed. He also told me that four of the bolts were only hand tight! That is alarming.

I reported all of this to Winnebago.

machlin

rgvtexan · 05-23-2018, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nosticks

Yes happened to me and ruined our Christmas trip. The problem is simple and I have told the RV manufacturer why it occurs. The ATS is shipped to the RV manufacturer with pre-stripped wires. The pre-strip is too short and the highly talented assembly line workers just use it as is rather than lengthen the stripped area. They use wire nuts in the build process. There is not enough exposed wire to make a good connection, but hey, keep the line moving, jamb that nut on there, next coach.

I redid mine using butt connectors. Wire nuts on something moving down the road shaking and vibrating is stupid and a bad method to fasten the wires together.

There are no wire nuts in the photos! They are all screw terminals.

TJFogelberg · 05-23-2018, 08:44 PM

Ours died last night. We have a 2017 Minnie Winnie 31D. It has the 41300 identical to OP. All of a sudden our power went out. We checked circuit breakers etc and couldn't find any issues. When we went to the power cord area, we smelled burned rubber. We knew to immediately unplug and not try to use the generator. It got hot today in Iowa and we are in a motel due to the heat and humidity. We plan to drop our RV off in Forest City on Friday until they can fix it. Removing cover and doing any work is above our pay grade.
While we are in our air conditioned motel with cable tv that works and free wifi and a free hot breakfast in the morning, and a bed that someone else made and will wash the sheets and towels you know the thought that crossed my mind. (We enjoy rving but it is really starting to feel like a JOB.) We don't wish to be electricians or learn about neutrals etc.. Way above us. Scary if they don't get the repair done right.