|
09-25-2013, 06:32 AM
|
#1
|
Rivet Master
1978 29' Ambassador
1974 25' Tradewind
1974 27' Overlander
Indiana
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 677
|
I Smell Something Burning
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...
|
|
|
09-25-2013, 06:36 AM
|
#2
|
Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
|
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.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
|
|
|
09-25-2013, 06:42 AM
|
#3
|
Rivet Master
Airstream - Other
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Bosque Farms
, New Mexico
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,030
|
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
__________________
ACI Big Red Number 21043
|
|
|
09-25-2013, 07:11 AM
|
#4
|
Rivet Master
1997 30' Excella
1961 26' Overlander
1954 22' Flying Cloud
1981 28' Airstream 280
San Antonio
, Texas
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,436
|
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.
__________________
Bruce
WBCCI# 9259 AIR# 38927 TAC-TX 14
Stop Littering-Spay & Neuter-- Adopt From Rescue
No amount of time will erase the memory of a great dog.
|
|
|
09-25-2013, 07:26 AM
|
#5
|
Rivet Master
2000 25' Safari
Davidson County
, NC Highlands County, FL
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,493
|
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
__________________
Alan
2014 Silverado LTZ 1500 Crew Cab 5.3L maximum trailering package
|
|
|
09-25-2013, 08:14 AM
|
#6
|
Rivet Master
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,190
|
I just replaced a rotary switch
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
|
|
|
09-25-2013, 08:02 PM
|
#7
|
Rivet Master
1978 29' Ambassador
1974 25' Tradewind
1974 27' Overlander
Indiana
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 677
|
Problem Solved...Almost
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
|
|
|
09-25-2013, 08:43 PM
|
#8
|
Rivet Master
1991 34' Excella
1963 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Central
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,919
|
Quote:
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.
|
|
|
09-25-2013, 10:59 PM
|
#9
|
Rivet Master
1977 31' Excella 500
West Sacramento
, California
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 732
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|