Fire Hazard October 02, 2009, 08:33:46 pm Yahoo Message Number: 106292Mike Sylversteri performed our annual maintenance yesterday. Among the new things he looks for are loose wires in the DC power center (where the fuses are). He has found wires that have become loose causing overheating and resulting in scorched and/or burned insulation and ultimately. (worst case) fires. He advises all LDrs to check the tightness of those wires to be sure your aren't at risk.Having fun under blue and gold skies at the Balloon Fiesta.Anne Johnson(once from) lovely La Verne, CA
Re: Fire Hazard Reply #1 – October 03, 2009, 07:30:10 pm Yahoo Message Number: 106306Further info. We're the rig mike worked on Friday. The problem was
Re: Fire Hazard Reply #2 – October 03, 2009, 08:32:11 pm Yahoo Message Number: 106308On Sat, 03 Oct 2009 23:29:39 -0000, cyberskier_98 wrote:QuoteLoose screws had caused arcing which had fried most of the insulation and damaged the wires themselves. We were "this close" from losing all ac power or, worse, a serious electrical fire. "Bouncing" down the road does tend to loosen screws. I think the exact same problem was found on another rig that Mike checked at the Balloonorama last year. A good reason to always sift through the posts here. There is a wealth of information here. Tightening those screws was already on my annual to-do list and Mike found them tight when he checked them last month. My winter project is to find and check the bolts that hold the box to the frame. After 30,000 miles, it might be time to check them. I picked that tip up on this forum.Cheers, Don
Re: Fire Hazard Reply #3 – October 03, 2009, 10:05:41 pm Yahoo Message Number: 106311Quote "Further info. We're the rig mike worked on Friday. The problem was in the AC terminal block, which is behind an access panel, to the left of the circuit breakers. Loose screws had caused arcing which had fried most of the insulation and damaged the wires themselves. We were "this close" from losing all ac power or, worse, a serious electrical fire. We had no symptoms of avything wrong. This was found onle because mike has Added it to his inspection routine. You can do it yourself if ur ok around electricals or have it done. Mike says they see about 3 rigs a year with this problem we feel very fortunate to have averted a potential disaster. Noel & Jackie at the Balloon Fiesta" I asked this question before but can't find my answer. Before one starts tightening screws and poking around in this area, what needs to be shut off electrically so as not to fry one's eyebrows?Chris
Re: Fire Hazard Reply #4 – October 03, 2009, 10:11:37 pm Yahoo Message Number: 106312> QuoteI asked this question before but can't find my answer. Before one starts tightening screws and poking around in this area, what needs to be shut off electrically so as not to fry one's eyebrows?Chris Not to worry, folksies, you'll only get zapped if you are hooked up to an electric service.Anne JohnsonLovely Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
Re: Fire Hazard Reply #5 – October 03, 2009, 10:40:56 pm Yahoo Message Number: 106313There are photos of the AC Panel Meltdown, and photos and instructions for making this simple but critical test and correction on "Techsnoz"
Re: Fire Hazard Reply #6 – October 03, 2009, 11:14:36 pm Yahoo Message Number: 106314Quote "There are photos of the AC Panel Meltdown, and photos and instructions for making this simple but critical test and correction on "Techsnoz" in the "Files" Section in "Article36.pdf". You can get to "Techsnoz" through the "Links" on this site under "Enhancements".The connections should be tight, but NOT tightened down to the max. What happens is a loose connection starts arcing and actually turns into a "welder" all without drawing enough amps to trip the breaker on the loose wire. The "Buss" bar(s) and wires get cherry red hot and can actually distort and melt. This over heating can easily start a fire in the motor home. If it happens while you are plugged in or have the gen/set on while you are outside or away, it can be a disaster.Please do this simple check and fix every few months. It happened to one of my Caravan friends, but thankfully they were in the coach and noticed the smell and heat."Terry TannerThanks, Terry. I knew I'd seen this info some place. Chris
Re: Fire Hazard Reply #7 – October 04, 2009, 01:26:38 am Yahoo Message Number: 106315Quote From: chorst_2000 To: lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, October 03, 2009 7:05 PM Subject: [LD] Re: Fire HazardI asked this question before but can't find my answer. Before one starts tightening screws and poking around in this area, what needs to be shut off electrically so as not to fry one's eyebrows?ChrisIf you choose to check this wiring yourself, it only takes a few minutes. Remove two screws that secure the AC panelcover that's to the left of the 12 volt DC distribution panel (fuse panel). This exposes the circuit breaker bodies and associated wiring. In the AC portion of the panel, there are normally 3 colors of wires. A "Romex" cable contains each of these 3 wire colors and most often has an ivory or off white jacket. Of these 3 wires, Ground will be bare copper (or rarely, green), Neutral will be white, and Hot will be black. There will be a couple of terminal strips, one for ground wires and one for neutral. The hot, or black wires will be attached to the circuit breakers - - these are the screws that can be exciting to tighten, but only if you don't use caution, an insulated screwdriver (most are), or you choose not to disconnect shore power, turn of the gen-set and/or whole house inverter. Turning off the individual circuit breakers will also serve to remove power from the output screw terminals. Be safe and do not to allow the screwdriver blade to touch you or any nearby metal when it is touching the circuit breaker screws.all the best,bumper
Re: Fire Hazard Reply #8 – October 04, 2009, 09:24:27 am Yahoo Message Number: 106316Quote From: chorst_2000 To: lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, October 03, 2009 7:05 PM Subject: [LD] Re: Fire HazardI asked this question before but can't find my answer. Before one starts tightening screws and poking around in this area, what needs to be shut off electrically so as not to fry one's eyebrows?Chris"If you choose to check this wiring yourself, it only takes a few minutes. Remove two screws that secure the AC panelcover that's to the left of the 12 volt DC distribution panel (fuse panel). This exposes the circuit breaker bodies and associated wiring. In the AC portion of the panel, there are normally 3 colors of wires. A "Romex" cable contains each of these 3 wire colors and most often has an ivory or off white jacket. Of these 3 wires, Ground will be bare copper (or rarely, green), Neutral will be white, and Hot will be black. There will be a couple of terminal strips, one for ground wires and one for neutral. The hot, or black wires will be attached to the circuit breakers - - these are the screws that can be exciting to tighten, but only if you don't use caution, an insulated screwdriver (most are), or you choose not to disconnect shore power, turn of the gen-set and/or whole house inverter. Turning off the individual circuit breakers will also serve to remove power from the output screw terminals. Be safe and do not to allow the screwdriver blade to touch you or any nearby metal when it is touching the circuit breaker screws.all the best,"bumper Perfect! Thanks, bumper. I shall do that today as my LD is sitting in front of the house, newly winterized.Chris
Re: Fire Hazard Reply #9 – October 04, 2009, 07:34:29 pm Yahoo Message Number: 106324Using Bumpers advice, I checked the connections in the inverter/converter box and didnt find any loose connections, BUT did find the two gray wires going to the 20 Amp fuses for the AC, microwave chaffed a bit as they were rubbing on the cover plate. Thanks all for the heads up. Bob& Verna 06 MB.
Re: Fire Hazard Reply #10 – October 04, 2009, 11:57:51 pm Yahoo Message Number: 106327I also checked the connections after reading Bumpers simple instructions. The ol 85 was as tight as the day she was put together. Another tribute to the fine craftsmanship put together in Montclair. (Pomona in those daze) John in cool sunny So Cal.
Topic: Fire Hazard (Read 8 times)
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Topic: Fire Hazard (Read 8 times)
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