OK. Search having been completed, with several results found but nothing matching well enough...
Last Saturday morning in my driveway, I used all of the lights in the trailer to get things loaded into their proper location.
After 4.5 hours of driving in some heavy rain, we spent the next two days camping without lights in the bathroom. All of the breakers were good and none of the fuses were out. The 110 outlet in the bathroom worked, and we had hot water (using the electric setting on the water heater). There were two sets of lights out: the bathroom vanity, and the bathroom overhead vent lights. It rained in the evenings both camping days.
After returning home from the trip and plugged the trailer in, you guessed it, lights were on (since we turned the 3 position switches so many times that we didn't know if they were on or off anymore).
Some additional information that may only distract from the right answer. At the campground, we used our extension cord. The trailer was not rained on for a couple of days before I plugged in the trailer and found the lights on. I have not had light troubles in the rain in the past, but I'm not sure I've pulled the trailer that far in that much rain. I personally feel that the problem is either a fuse connection, or a short.
Anyone have any insight or experience to share?
__________________ Mark
72 Sovereign: L couch, mid-twin, rear-bath
"When you come to a fork in the road, take it"
"It was impossible to get a conversation going; everybody was talking too much."
"If you don't know where you are going, you will wind up somewhere else." - Yogi Berra
I have had similar problem with front lights . It turned out to be a bad fuse holder . When the lights don't work try checking at the fuse with a test light to see if there is power to both sides of the fuse holder with the fuse in place . Sometimes from traveling the fuse would not make good contact , it would also get hot . Good luck
Off topic, but where in the bathroom is that outlet? Just wondering, I haven't come across one in our '74 Sov..
Same problem here, although they just never work. Will try the test on the fuseholder when I'm there this week.
The outlet on ours is under the overhead medicine cabinet, next to the bathroom vanity light switch.
For the lights, you could have a bad switch, no power, bad grounds, even a dozen bad bulbs.
Sounds like a fuse problem to me too. If there was a connectivity issue, the movement during the trip home could have reestablished the connections. You might try cleaning the fuse holders and fuses.
On the other topic,
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aage
Off topic, but where in the bathroom is that outlet? Just wondering, I haven't come across one in our '74 Sov..
In my center bath Excella it is behind the mirror above the sink. Can be a little hard to locate.
__________________ Vaughan
A sixth sense (I lack the other five) tells me that I am in serious difficulties.Oscar Levant
Vaughn (I know this part was for Sovereignrwe, but I have the same problem),
I've cleaned the fuseholders in my Univolt, and because they were overheating, I also had to trim back the ends of the wires to get to clean wire, and they still are as cantankerous as ever. Oh, they will come on, but if the bathroom lights are on, AND the sleeping area (I have a rear bath, too) one or the other or both will flick off. Jiggling the fuses brings them back on.
I have bought a new converter and fuse panel and hope to be able to get them installed next week. I haven't been using a battery, and apparently the famous Univolt is apt to destabilize when running in that fashion. I wasn't willing to put a bettery in knowing that it would be cooked by the Univolt!
I'll report back when the new converter is installed.
As for a 110V outlet in the rear bath, mine definitely does not have one. Perhaps this is because I have a Canadian trailer which is certified by CSA. I know there is a different electrical diagram for the CSA on, and while I haven't check, perhaps this is one of the differences.
__________________ . It's a combination of Alzheimers and Deja Vu - I keep thinking I forgot this before. . .
Vaughn (I know this part was for Sovereignrwe, but I have the same problem),
I've cleaned the fuseholders in my Univolt, and because they were overheating, I also had to trim back the ends of the wires to get to clean wire, and they still are as cantankerous as ever. Oh, they will come on, but if the bathroom lights are on, AND the sleeping area (I have a rear bath, too) one or the other or both will flick off. Jiggling the fuses brings them back on.
I have bought a new converter and fuse panel and hope to be able to get them installed next week. I haven't been using a battery, and apparently the famous Univolt is apt to destabilize when running in that fashion. I wasn't willing to put a bettery in knowing that it would be cooked by the Univolt!
I'll report back when the new converter is installed.
As for a 110V outlet in the rear bath, mine definitely does not have one. Perhaps this is because I have a Canadian trailer which is certified by CSA. I know there is a different electrical diagram for the CSA on, and while I haven't check, perhaps this is one of the differences.
It sounds like you are on the right track. If the fuses are hot, there is definitely resistance involved.
I don't blame you for waiting to install the new battery till you replace the Univolt. When the Univolt went south in my Trade Wind years ago it cooked the battery in a big way. The Trade Wind is a rear bath and the battery is at the rear by the access door. It wasn't vented very well and the coach filled with fumes while I was asleep. The CO detector went off showing very high levels. I got up, vented the coach, and the alarm kept going off again till I noticed the sound of the battery boiling.
I bought an Inteli-Power locally and installed it and a new battery the next day. Living with that Inteli-Power was certainly a factor in choosing the replacement for the Excella.
With the new converter and fuse block, you should be in good shape for a long time.
__________________ Vaughan
A sixth sense (I lack the other five) tells me that I am in serious difficulties.Oscar Levant
Could also be the light switch. After 30 something years the contacts build up a patina which can cause the on again off again effect as well as overheating. They can be replaced, but make sure you get the right stem length. Or you can take them apart and clean the metal contacts being careful not to loose the small parts.
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