120V help please.

[cameront120]

In my 1972 Tradewind, there are two 120V receptacles forward - one between the galley and front couch and one opposite it, between the door and couch. When I'm hooked to 120V power these two outlets don't work (all others do), leading meto believe they are on the same circuit. My problem is that I can't find a blown fuse that might expalin the problem and don't have a clue how to look for the problem. Are there any electrical wizards out there who can explain to me in very simple terms how to troubleshoot the problem and hopefully fix it? I won't be offended ifyou all tell me to hire an electrician! Much thanks in advance!

Cheers!

[Zeppelinium]

1. Remove power and then take the plates off the outlets and remove the outlets from the box, see if a wire is detached. Usually the outlets are wired in series and if a poor job was done it's possible the power connection has been lost at one of the outlets and the other one is further along the chain. You only have to pull the outlet out of the box far enough to ascertain whether any wires are loose.

2. I assume you have two circuit breakers in your electrical box. They can fail in a way that stops the voltage but doesn't trip the handle. Here's what I'd do first (I assume you've checked every other 120V electrical outlet and appliance, eg, air conditioner). Unplug from 120V. The cover on the electrical box will come off with two or four screws, not a big deal.

Once you get the cover off and can see what you are doing, you can measure the voltage at the wire coming out of the circuit breakers (plug back in to 120V and just don't be sticking your hands in the box). You actually don't need a voltmeter, just one of those neon power-checking bulbs with two leads.

or

You can remove the wires from the breakers (a small screw driver is required, not tiny, but small) and then remove the breakers and swap them, reattach the wires (actually, you remove the breakers, then take the wire out and switch--it's usually difficult to switch the wires when the breakers are installed) and put the breakers back in. Plug in to 120V and see if the outlets have power.

3. However, I doubt that it's a breaker--I think there would be more attached to that circuit.

4. If you can't track it down, I can look at the route of the wiring in my 1972 Overlander. Maybe there is a clue in some junction box between the electrical box and the outlets.

[azflycaster]

On my 75 Trade Wind the wire diagram shows as follows:
Breaker 3 -> Refrigerator Outlet -> TV Outlet (above frig behind slide door) -> Street side forward outlet -> curb side forward outlet.
If yours is the same you should test each outlet and the problem is between the last working outlet and the first non working. It is most likely a wire out of the last working or a wire into the first non working.
*** Safety First ***
Remove shore power when you pull the outlets to inspect. Remember you might have a hot wire waiting to grab you!

[cameront120]

Thank you Roger for taking the time to write that out. It's very clear...even for me! I really do appreciate it.

Thanks to you as well azflycaster for that. I'll use that sequence as a clue to see if it sheds any clues.

[lewster]

You can also try a continuity test on the breakers. Turn off your main breaker and unplug from shore power. Remove the breaker from the panel. Put an ohm meter on the both breaker leads. If the breaker is in the on position, you should get an infinite ohm reading. Switch it off and you get nada, zip, zilch, nothing. If it tests like this, it is usually OK. If you get anything else, it is defective and must be replaced!

[cameront120]

Hi all! I found the problem. A couple of wire became loose at the refrigerator outlet in the curbside panel. Azflycaster, the only difference with mine is that this location comes immediately after the outlet above the refrigerator, followed by the two forward interior outlets. So, everything now works in my 120v system. Now I have to sort out a few things in my 12v system at the control panel. Thanks again for your tips!

[azflycaster]

Great to hear that it is resolved! You have to wonder if they changed the wires route over the years or did the wire guy in 72 just have a "who cares" moment

[cameront120]

Originally Posted by azflycaster

Great to hear that it is resolved! You have to wonder if they changed the wires route over the years or did the wire guy in 72 just have a "who cares" moment

I'd like to think he had a "who cares" moment...I like spontaneity!

[clancy_boy]

Great ending and great step-by-step solutions to this issue. This is why I read all these posts. Everyone is very helpfull here.

[cameront120]

Originally Posted by clancy_boy

Great ending and great step-by-step solutions to this issue. This is why I read all these posts. Everyone is very helpfull here.

Exactly! This is also why I print threads like this one and put them in my Airstream binder for future reference.