Electrical

[trumpetguy]

 

While camping at Disney's Fort Wilderness this past week we awoke Friday morning at 1:00 when the AC and my CPAP went off. Thinking it was a simple breaker overload I reset the main breaker and sparks shot from the panel like fireworks. I immediately unplugged from the 30 AMP post and we spent the rest of the morning trying to sleep with only the roof fan on.

 

Now my quandry is this. Drive 450 miles to Oliver to have it repaired, or take it to a local camping world. The panel is a burnt mess.

[dwbark]

Sorry to read this! What a mess. Keep us updated.

[JuniorBirdMan]

Best I can tell from the photos, the damage appears confined mostly to the wiring with maybe a bit of scorching of the case under the bus bar. Some of the leads look like they might not have been making good contact which would lead to an eventual overheat. Replacing some wires (and assuring good contact) may be all that's needed.

 

If that's the case then it's probably cheaper and more convenient to have it done locally. Any qualified electrician should be able to handle it.

[topgun2]

I agree that it looks like shorted contacts, but would be a bit concerned about the sparks and lack of a breaker trip. Good luck with the repair.

 

Bill

[trumpetguy]

With some good coaching from ScubaRX I believe the problem was a sutge from the power post. We had lightning so it could have been a strike somewher.

 

There is no evidence of scorching behind the panel so today I cut off the scorched ends of the wires, stripped to fresh copper, and tightened all the lugs in the bus bar.

 

Ran everything all day with no evidence of any problem.

 

Whew.

 

Surge protector will be on order tonight.

[Mike and Carol]

Glad you got this resolved so fast and had experienced Oliver owners help. It probably could have been worse and makes the case for a good surge protector. Glad you're back in business!!

[Maverick]

Trumpetguy:

 

When you tightened all the lugs on the bus bar, did you find any loose connections? Surge protection should all ways be used when the trailer is plugged into 115 VAC, very cheap insurance. Glad everything is back to normal operation.

[trumpetguy]

No loose lugs, but the lug where hot water heater and fridge were plugged into was pretty badly burned. I don't know why Oliver used one lug for two appliances, but I separated them to their own holes in the bus bar.

[topgun2]

So, it appears that ya got it fixed. Assume that this means that you are still "ON" for the Hiawassee rally?

 

Bill