I Smell Something Burning

[Roadrunner]

I am on the road camping and got up this morning to read. Turned on the front overhead light using rotary switch. It wasn't long before I began to smell that acrid smell of burned electrical wires. Traced it to the rotary switch in the front light of our "78" Ambassador. Obviously I won't find a switch and am headed home tomorrow and can deal with it then. In the meantime am I safe leaving it off or should I cut the wiring and tape off the ends? Or do something else? Thanks!

Bob
Somewhere in the mountains of VA...

[Protagonist]

If you have electrical tape, tape all exposed wiring. Keep the switch shut off. Cutting the wires is okay, as long as you can remember which wire goes where. You're going to have to replace the wiring anyway, so cutting it off where the insulation is gone before taping can't hurt.

[eubank]

Ha! Reminds me of the rheostat switch in the MG for the inside lights. A few months after I bought it, I was driving to work, and burned-rubber smoke starts pouring out of the dashboard. It was raining, so I couldn't ventilate too well. I couldn't hardly see!

Bottom line: I replaced the rheostat with a simple toggle switch, and all's been well since then.


Lynn

[bwoodtx]

I would remove the power wire from the switch as the switch could short out all the way possibly causing a fire or more damage. Better to be safe than sorry.

[A W Warn]

I would remove the fuse from that circuit and leave the switch as is while traveling.
Did the fuse blow? If it did not, I wonder why? Maybe there was no short, just a heat buildup from a worn contact point?

ODM has that switch in stock.
http://odmrv.com/catalog/index.php?m...bjmojm6p2273k2

[mandolindave]

The new one lasted one day. I have a thread on my solution. I am done with the rotary switches. Your misfortune confirms my decision. thanks and sorry for your problem....glad it wasn't worse

[Roadrunner]

Well I decided to just cut the wires (after disconnecting AC/battery), cap with wire cap, and wrap with electrical tape. Interestingly enough the fuse did not blow. Once I removed the rotary switch it was apparent why it shorted out. One of the terminal connections was loose. Bad contact point. Now the question is whether to replace the rotary switch with another one, try another style of switch (how will it fit), put in a Fantastic Fan (but I loose my lights)...

Thanks for the help!

Bob
Indiana, PA

TAC PA-5
WBCCI 4871

[HiHoAgRV]

Originally Posted by Roadrunner

Well I decided to ..., put in a Fantastic Fan (but I loose my lights)...

Thanks for the help!

Bob
Indiana, PA

TAC PA-5
WBCCI 4871

Bob,
I did this exact thing and installed a single tube 12V fluorescent bulb fixture on each side of the Fantastic Fan.

[4RXLA]

One of my rotary switches burned just like yours. I bought new ones from Inland RV and replaced the incandescent bulbs with LEDs. After 3 years all is working well. One day I may ditch the original fixtures and install recessed LEDs.