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Three outlets have stopped working
Hi. So I have a curious thing going on with 3 of my outlets.  (BTW, I have a 2004, 30' RTB.)  All of the outlets in the front of the coach on both sides and the kitchen outlets all work fine.  The bathroom, frig, and rear passenger side outlet in the bedroom have all stopped working. But the driver side outlet in the bedroom works.  I have been mostly stationary for several months now, and this just started. The GFCI breaker works, I've tested and reset it countless times. I even put in a new GFCI breaker, no difference.  I've also checked the 12V fuse for the frig, and it's good. I called LD and they suggested I swap out all of the non-working outlets. But before I do that, which I realize isn't a big deal, has anyone else had this issue?  Unfortunately,  LD doesn't have a wiring schematic. Thanks.
2004 31' Twin Bed
Re: Three outlets have stopped working
Reply #1 –
I had a somewhat similar issue in my mid-bath, which was caused by corrosion in the outside outlet. I’m not sure if your model has one of those.

Along the way, I noticed that all of the outlets in my coach were backstabbed.   This method relies on a spring to hold the wire and can eventually fail.  By looking at and maybe slightly tugging the wires coming into the back of each outlet, you might find one that isn’t connected properly.  That could cause everything downstream to lose power as well.  I think it’s worth the effort as a place to start.

Rich
‘03 MB in NC
2003 MB
Re: Three outlets have stopped working
Reply #2 –
Quote from: NomadRVr  - 
The bathroom, frig, and rear passenger side outlet in the bedroom have all stopped working.
Is one of those outlets a GFI, i.e. a reset button on the outlet itself? It is common to daisy-chain outlets which should be GFI protected, so only one GFI fixture is needed. Check voltages on the back of the GFI outlet to see if that is the case.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Three outlets have stopped working
Reply #3 –
LD daisy-chains the outlets, one plug feeds the next. I have found the same problems as Rich mentioned, failed backstabbed connection.
I have also found loose screwed connections, neither type of connection is fool proof for RV usage.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Three outlets have stopped working
Reply #4 –
Larry nailed it.  You have to trace the wiring from the breaker to the outlets.  For example, on my Midbath, the outlet breaker goes first to the outlet under the flip-up counter top to the floor outlet aft of the bathroom door, then it splits, going to the exterior outlet by the entry door and the overhead outlet above the dinette, and to the bathroom outlet.  The problem will be in one of two outlets - either the last working one with a bad output connection or the first non-working one with a bad input connection, in that daisy chain.  For some reason, perhaps a loose push-on connection as Rich described, or a loose screw terminal as Larry described, the flow is being interrupted.  If it is a loose push-on, replace the outlet.  If it is a loose screw terminal, tighten the screw. 

While you are playing with the wiring, this might be a good time to check all screw terminals in the breaker box, the ATS and the outlets.  I loose connection can generate heat and might start a fire.  Annually checking those connections is something on my maintenance checklist.

Ken F in WY
'08 MB
Re: Three outlets have stopped working
Reply #5 –
I wish I had a GFCI outlet. Nope. I only have a GFCI 15A breaker.

Quote from: Steve  - 
Is one of those outlets a GFI, i.e. a reset button on the outlet itself? It is common to daisy-chain outlets which should be GFI protected, so only one GFI fixture is needed. Check voltages on the back of the GFI outlet to see if that is the case.

Steve

2004 31' Twin Bed
Re: Three outlets have stopped working
Reply #6 –
Thanks.  That's pretty much what I figured I'd end up doing.  I just wish I had the actual wiring schematic so I could determine where the actual begin and end are of the run with those outlets.

Last year I had to replace the outlet by the sink, just above the converter charger, as it had actually sparked out of the blade opening.  When I pried it out of the box it was a melted mess.  Don't want a repeat of that. That could have been bad in so many ways.


 
Quote from: Kenneth Fears  - 
Larry nailed it.  You have to trace the wiring from the breaker to the outlets.  For example, on my Midbath, the outlet breaker goes first to the outlet under the flip-up counter top to the floor outlet aft of the bathroom door, then it splits, going to the exterior outlet by the entry door and the overhead outlet above the dinette, and to the bathroom outlet.  The problem will be in one of two outlets - either the last working one with a bad output connection or the first non-working one with a bad input connection, in that daisy chain.  For some reason, perhaps a loose push-on connection as Rich described, or a loose screw terminal as Larry described, the flow is being interrupted.  If it is a loose push-on, replace the outlet.  If it is a loose screw terminal, tighten the screw. 

While you are playing with the wiring, this might be a good time to check all screw terminals in the breaker box, the ATS and the outlets.  I loose connection can generate heat and might start a fire.  Annually checking those connections is something on my maintenance checklist.

Ken F in WY


Quote from: Kenneth Fears  - 
Larry nailed it.  You have to trace the wiring from the breaker to the outlets.  For example, on my Midbath, the outlet breaker goes first to the outlet under the flip-up counter top to the floor outlet aft of the bathroom door, then it splits, going to the exterior outlet by the entry door and the overhead outlet above the dinette, and to the bathroom outlet.  The problem will be in one of two outlets - either the last working one with a bad output connection or the first non-working one with a bad input connection, in that daisy chain.  For some reason, perhaps a loose push-on connection as Rich described, or a loose screw terminal as Larry described, the flow is being interrupted.  If it is a loose push-on, replace the outlet.  If it is a loose screw terminal, tighten the screw. 

While you are playing with the wiring, this might be a good time to check all screw terminals in the breaker box, the ATS and the outlets.  I loose connection can generate heat and might start a fire.  Annually checking those connections is something on my maintenance checklist.

Ken F in WY
2004 31' Twin Bed