Electrical problem - Water pump, vent hood fan & light

[Rob30044]

I have a 32' 1989 Excella TT. The water pump, vent hood fan & vent hood light will not work from time to time. When I am on the road sometimes they will start working. I am at home now and they are not working. I have checked the circuit breakers and they are working. Sounds like I have a loose connection somewhere. Where should I look to find this problem? Does anyone know where these accessories tie in to the main circuit line?

Thanks,
Ben

[overlander64]

Greetings Ben!

Originally Posted by Rob30044

I have a 32' 1989 Excella TT. The water pump, vent hood fan & vent hood light will not work from time to time. When I am on the road sometimes they will start working. I am at home now and they are not working. I have checked the circuit breakers and they are working. Sounds like I have a loose connection somewhere. Where should I look to find this problem? Does anyone know where these accessories tie in to the main circuit line?

Thanks,
Ben

It sounds like your '89 coach has a similar circuit to my '78 Argosy Minuet - - I have had a similar problem for more than a year. My dealer reported that it has finally been solved - - it was in the wiring for the range hood vent. It seems that the vibrations and movement of goods stored in the locker above the range hood had caused some abrasions to the wiring resulting a short. The problem was inconsistent and would only appear about once every third trip. My coach pre-dated the use of circuit breakers so it was blowing the fuse for this circuit frequently when the range hood was switched on. I waited a bit too long to take it to the dealer and ended up having to replace the range hood fan motor as well.

Good luck with your search for the electrical gremlin!

Kevin

[Rob30044]

Originally Posted by overlander64

Greetings Ben!



It sounds like your '89 coach has a similar circuit to my '78 Argosy Minuet - - I have had a similar problem for more than a year. My dealer reported that it has finally been solved - - it was in the wiring for the range hood vent. It seems that the vibrations and movement of goods stored in the locker above the range hood had caused some abrasions to the wiring resulting a short. The problem was inconsistent and would only appear about once every third trip. My coach pre-dated the use of circuit breakers so it was blowing the fuse for this circuit frequently when the range hood was switched on. I waited a bit too long to take it to the dealer and ended up having to replace the range hood fan motor as well.

Good luck with your search for the electrical gremlin!

Kevin

Thanks Kevin, I'll check out the wiring in the range hood vent.

Ben

[steelbird312]

Hi Ben,
Unless I'm mistaken, I've talked with you up at TOG, I just finished the year as the property manager- hate to hear you're having problems.
Get into your owners manual- somewhere in it, it will have a very simplified, yet fairly accurate sketch of the way your trailer is wired. Since it is multiple items, the problem will be at a junction of the circuit somewhere after the breaker. If the breaker is still closed yet the items do not work, a junction has gone cold. it may be a soldered one, yet I suspect it may be a twist cap or the crimp right there at the breaker. Each junction that you find, pull and twist it aggressively while you have the items turned on. If it tries to start while twisting/pulling, then you have found your cold place. Ben, this one may be hard to find, may not. Good luck!
jerry

[Rob30044]

Originally Posted by overlander64

Greetings Ben!



It sounds like your '89 coach has a similar circuit to my '78 Argosy Minuet - - I have had a similar problem for more than a year. My dealer reported that it has finally been solved - - it was in the wiring for the range hood vent.

Hi Kevin,
I really appreciate your input. It was a big help in solving this problem. There was a loose connection in the range hood wiring at the "auto fill" switch. Problem solved at 3:45 PM today. That made my day.

Thanks again,
Ben

[Rob30044]

Originally Posted by steelbird312

Hi Ben,
Unless I'm mistaken, I've talked with you up at TOG, I just finished the year as the property manager- hate to hear you're having problems.
Get into your owners manual- somewhere in it, it will have a very simplified, yet fairly accurate sketch of the way your trailer is wired. Since it is multiple items, the problem will be at a junction of the circuit somewhere after the breaker. If the breaker is still closed yet the items do not work, a junction has gone cold. it may be a soldered one, yet I suspect it may be a twist cap or the crimp right there at the breaker. Each junction that you find, pull and twist it aggressively while you have the items turned on. If it tries to start while twisting/pulling, then you have found your cold place. Ben, this one may be hard to find, may not. Good luck!
jerry

Hi Jerry,
Yes, we did talk at TOG. You gave this newbie some valuable information on Airstreams. Irene and I have really enjoyed being a part of the TOG organization. As I told Kevin, I solved the electrical problem today. Thanks so much for your input. This is such a great forum. Irene and I are looking forward to seeing you and Diane at TOG soon.

Thanks for everything,
Ben