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Topic: 12V Power Outlet Short (Read 282 times) previous topic - next topic

12V Power Outlet Short

Our 12V power outlet (cigarette) was intermittent, mostly not working or when you plugged in strange things may happen.  We had some random dash resets on the final leg of our trip home.

power plug.jpg Looking at this and found the outer retaining nut/tube had loosened, either from previous work in that area or simply lots of miles and bumps. The outer tube/nut had rotated to the point that its crimp connector (negative) would, with a slight bump, contact the positive crimp and cause a short.  This is a dedicated 20A circuit on our coach.

not insulated.jpg When I checked there was no longer any power at the plug, which traced down to the auto resetting breaker (the ones behind the panel in front of the passenger seat) being dead.  Who knows how many times it reset before it failed.  I'm not really on board with the auto resetting feature, but that is what we have.

buss bar off.jpgdone.jpg Ordered a new breaker, removed the busbar from the row that contained the blown breaker, the old breaker is pressed into place, they just walk out with a few up and downs.  Swapped in the new one and put it all back together.

I changed the crimps to insulated ones, I don't know if those un-insulated ones were original, but either way its a bad idea.

I also checked the continuity of the other breakers to make sure none were shot.  Then for good measure put a torque screwdriver on all of those nuts to make sure they were all properly tight.  I'd say 80% did nothing, but the other 20% turned 1/4 to 1/2 turn before they torqued home, and there were several that required a full turn to tighten (really getting close to loose).  I recall all of the "loose" ones were double or triple lugged or had non-oem wiring added.

So next time you are looking for something to do, or just for looking for gremlins ......
2000 / 36' / U320 / WTFE
WildEBeest / "Striving to put right what once went wrong"

Re: 12V Power Outlet Short

Reply #1 –
Quote from: steve –
I'm not really on board with the auto resetting feature, but that is what we have.
I share your distaste for auto reset breakers.  I recall several Forum discussions on the subject of circuit breakers.  Link below to one:

Auto Reset Circuit Breakers - Why Use Them?
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: 12V Power Outlet Short

Reply #2 –
Thanks for the link, good discussion.

The site you quoted, Auto Reset Circuit Breakers Standard Mount - Wiring Products is where I ended up purchasing my replacements from.  They shipped quick and had good prices, so a shout out to them.  The only delay was that our postal carrier placed the item in one of the neighbors mailbox,  took all day to find out which one!

Interesting that the auto reset could be considered a safety item for the headlights.  Of course headlights that actually light the road would have been a nice start  :P I remember the first time we used them in our '03, we had to get out to check they were actually on LOL.
2000 / 36' / U320 / WTFE
WildEBeest / "Striving to put right what once went wrong"

Re: 12V Power Outlet Short

Reply #3 –
I had to add a relay to the headlights when I added HID's to the '99 trying to drive at night. Xtreme conversion finally let me drive at night.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean
 

Re: 12V Power Outlet Short

Reply #4 –

One of my favorite modes was adding dual USB charging ports at the drivers seat, passenger seat, and in the bedroom. 20/20 hindsight I would have used USB/USBC ports. Everyone uses them.
Amazon.com: Dual USB Socket 12V Marine Outlet with Switch Golf Cart USB Port...
Amazon.com: 12V USB Aluminum Car Charger Socket PD 3.0 Type C and Dual Quick...
Hard to keep up with the changes

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