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06-02-2011, 10:20 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
1957 22' Caravanner
1960 26' Overlander
1963 24' Tradewind
El Paso
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 945
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Melted fuse holder.
I need some help with my 77 Soverign fuse panel.I've been removing the 2 50 amp fuses after both my new batteries were drained.When I purchased the trailer I couldn't get any electricity to the trailer and tracked the problem down to the old 50amp fuses.They looked fine but upon further inspection appeared to have gotten hot and were bad.I replaced them and problem fixed so I thought.Upon leaving the trailer for the night I went to remove the fuses and burned the crap out of myself.The fuse holder actually melted and the wire that runs between the 2 50 amp fuses is melted I'm sure due to the high heat.I know I could've just unplugged the batteries but oh well.
Anybody have any idea what's up with my trailer?Is the univolt to blame?I've looked all over that thing and can't find it.Could it be in the front of the trailer under the goucho?
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06-02-2011, 10:31 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2005 25' Safari
Salem
, Oregon
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,367
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Hi, I know someone will dispute this, but the only thing that will cause a fuse or fuse holder to melt is a bad/loose/dirty/rusty connection. I have been repairing things like this since 1968 in cars and trucks.
__________________
Bob 2005 Safari 25-B
"Le Petit Chateau Argent" Small Silver Castle
2000 Navigator / 2014 F-150 Eco-Boost / Equal-i-zer / P-3
YAMAHA 2400 / AIR #12144
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06-02-2011, 10:32 PM
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#3
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Liberator
1972 Argosy 24
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Heart of Dixie
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,659
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I blame everything on the old univolt...but really, I don't think it was to blame for fuse melted.
Something pulled a bunch of amps to blow a 50.
What did this supply power to?
If not blown, and just melted, a corroded<sp connector can do that.
__________________
Your opinion is valued, please not your opinion of someones else's opinion.
Click To See Me Wet
1989 Airstream 345 Liberator...
1972 Argosy 24'...
1954 Feathercraft Vagabond
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06-02-2011, 11:04 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1957 22' Caravanner
1960 26' Overlander
1963 24' Tradewind
El Paso
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 945
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Thanks ROBERTSUNRUS and klattu for your quick replies.
The fuse holders were corroded when I got the rv home.I did clean them up.
This is the main 10 gauge wire (I think it's 10 gauge) from the battery or univolt.I think it supplies power to the fuse panel.
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06-02-2011, 11:43 PM
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#5
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Maniacal Engineer
1971 25' Tradewind
Lopez Island
, Washington
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,244
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Corroded connections cause this....
Power dissipated in a resistor is given by I**2 * R, or current squared times resistance.
A tiny resistance of .01 ohms will dissipate 50*50*.01 = 25 watts of heat at 50 amps of current with a small 1/2 volt drop across the connection.
This is why higher current connections, fuses, etc. are all bolted securely. Note that spring type fuse holders will also lose their spring as they heat, further increasing resistance.
- Bart
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06-03-2011, 06:47 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1957 22' Caravanner
1960 26' Overlander
1963 24' Tradewind
El Paso
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 945
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fuse panel
Quote:
Originally Posted by barts
Corroded connections cause this....
Power dissipated in a resistor is given by I**2 * R, or current squared times resistance.
A tiny resistance of .01 ohms will dissipate 50*50*.01 = 25 watts of heat at 50 amps of current with a small 1/2 volt drop across the connection.
This is why higher current connections, fuses, etc. are all bolted securely. Note that spring type fuse holders will also lose their spring as they heat, further increasing resistance.
- Bart
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Thanks Barts
Whats the best thing to do? Should I replace the whole fuse panel?Any idea where the univolt is located?
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06-03-2011, 07:51 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1966 22' Safari
Hilltop Lakes
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,764
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ALL connections in any electrical circuit should be clean and tight. Otherwise, heat builds up and fires occur. Replace whatever you have to. Get everything free of corrosion and tightly connected. Also make sure nothing can rub and short out from vibration while traveling.
The old Univolts hum. Listen for it (or if you're like me, get someone with younger ears to do so), and it will reveal itself.
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06-03-2011, 08:06 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1961 24' Tradewind
1969 29' Ambassador
1970 21' Globetrotter
Jamestown
, Tennessee
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,783
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Many of the high amp clip in fuse holders are riveted between the clips and the connection point. They loosen with age and then start overheating. It is a common problem and is not usually an indication of any problems beyond the fuse holder itself
__________________
Rick Davis 1602 K8DOC
61 tradewind, plus a few others
13 Ram 2500 TD
99 Dodge TD 577K miles
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06-03-2011, 08:19 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2011 34' Classic
Westchester Cty.NY
, / Miami FL
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,122
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the converter might be located behind the gaucho under the shelf. if the shelf feels warm you're getting close, lol.
try peeking behind the gaucho drawer.
__________________
Ricky
2012 F150 Super Crew 5-1/2' bed Ecoboost 4x4 3.73 elec. lock diff. Propride hitch
give life. kidney & pancreas transplant 9/9/06
Ingrid-my unofficial '"World's Oldest Streamer" 1909-2008 R.I.P.
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06-05-2011, 08:21 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1957 22' Caravanner
1960 26' Overlander
1963 24' Tradewind
El Paso
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 945
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Thanks everyone for the help!I found the Univolt and it was right where everyone suggested under the gaucho.Now I know what the hum is that everyone talks about.Well I guess the best thing to do is replace the fuse panel.That doesn't look like fun at all.Any source's for the fuse panel or upgrades that can be recommended?
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07-18-2011, 08:15 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1957 22' Caravanner
1960 26' Overlander
1963 24' Tradewind
El Paso
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 945
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Quote:
Originally Posted by azflycaster
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Thanks for the advice.
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07-18-2011, 08:32 PM
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#13
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Site Team
1974 31' Sovereign
Ottawa
, ON
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 11,219
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I am pleased with this one from Out-Of-Doors Mart. Easy to install, looks pretty rugged, and I like the metal lid;
__________________
“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” ...John Wayne...........................
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07-18-2011, 09:40 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1957 22' Caravanner
1960 26' Overlander
1963 24' Tradewind
El Paso
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 945
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aage
I am pleased with this one from Out-Of-Doors Mart. Easy to install, looks pretty rugged, and I like the metal lid;
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Very nice, thanks for the info.
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07-18-2011, 10:38 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 26
Morrill
, Nebraska
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,014
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Check this out.
I would recommend reading thru a thread started by lucymcdog titled "Electrical and 12 volt Systems". There is a lot of info there. Be ready for a long read. She has just started on a Tradewind after completely rewiring her Traveler.
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07-21-2011, 10:43 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1957 22' Caravanner
1960 26' Overlander
1963 24' Tradewind
El Paso
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 945
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Thanks for info TG Twinkie,I'll be reading up and trying to absorb as much as possible.not enough time for all the projects.
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11-20-2011, 06:18 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
1957 22' Caravanner
1960 26' Overlander
1963 24' Tradewind
El Paso
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 945
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aage
I am pleased with this one from Out-Of-Doors Mart. Easy to install, looks pretty rugged, and I like the metal lid;
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Hey Aage, do you have a picture of your fuse panel mounted and wired? I sure would like to see how you did it.
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11-20-2011, 09:29 PM
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#18
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Site Team
1974 31' Sovereign
Ottawa
, ON
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 11,219
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Not likely to get down to the trailer again until next spring. It's winterized, and water and electricity are off in the park where it lives.
Ask me again in the spring, if you remember... (I know I won't! )
__________________
“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” ...John Wayne...........................
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11-20-2011, 09:35 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Instead of replacing the entire fuse panel, it's rather easy to install an in line fuse or circuit breaker as necessary, to bypass the damaged fuse holder.
Andy
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11-21-2011, 08:26 AM
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#20
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Rivet Master
1957 22' Caravanner
1960 26' Overlander
1963 24' Tradewind
El Paso
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 945
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Thanks Aage and Andy,
I'm wanting to replace the old magnatek convertor and while I'm at it replace the fuse block.The fuse block is rusted and nasty looking and I figured upgrading to the modern auto fuse panel would be smart of me.I like to see what others have done so I can see what works best for me.
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