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Do I Have A Fire Hazard?

January 30, 2011, 04:59:12 pm

Elsewhere on Foreforums I discussed finding a very hot motor or solenoid (I do not know what it is) and so I am asking the question here in a different topic in hopes that I get some responses.

Here is the situation. 

There is a small solenoid or a small motor that works in conjunction with the compressor that is used to air up our slide bladder.  I am including two photos of this device.  It was really hot.  So hot that when I accidentally touched it I thought I had burned my hand.  I can not hold a finger on it for more than a second.

Do these small devices typically run hot or do I have a defective part? 

I did find the 12V wires leading to it and disconnected them. But I need to know if this is normal?

Thank you. 

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Re: Do I Have A Fire Hazard?

Reply #1 – January 30, 2011, 06:41:39 pm

George,
The solenoid in your pictures is used to close of the air compressor 'bleed-off line'. While the compressor is running it closes by 12 volts. Then it opens when the compressor shuts off to drain the line of pressure. It normally becomes a little warm when operating, but should not get hot.

The electric coil is failing / shorting out.and needs to be replaced. You should be able to get by without the compressor by using your engine to build air pressure which also will operate your slide seal air and vacuum. As a temporary get-by, try pulling the fuse to the compressor (hanging below it by its wires) and unplugging the solenoid. Worth a try!

Jim

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Re: Do I Have A Fire Hazard?

Reply #2 – February 01, 2011, 02:43:26 pm

George,
Yes it is a fire hazard.  I hope you have cut the power to this by now. 
To add to what Jim mentioned above, that solenoid should only have power to it when the compressor is actually running.  I think there's a stuck relay (or some other controlling device) that's keeping it powered up and that's why it's getting so hot.  It's most likely an "intermittent duty" solenoid.  If an intermittent duty solenoid is left on continuously it will get hot and eventually burn out.  Yes, a fire is possible.  Usually it gets so hot that the varnish (red or amber clear coating) on the coil wires melts, shorts the wires in the coil which allows even more current and finally burns out the fuse or the lead wire in the coil and will make a burnt electronics smell.
I wish I could help on the details of the wiring.  This feature (air compressor condensate drain) is something I had to custom add to my older coach so I don't know how your coach is wired.
Hope this helps.

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Re: Do I Have A Fire Hazard?

Reply #3 – February 01, 2011, 03:01:32 pm

George,

I had a very similar experience a couple of years ago.  Compressor would not start, and I found a wire (white, I think) burned through.  Just read back through my service records.  Cummins NW Tech stated that "failure of main power relay" of the compressor was the cause.  Replace relay (common one, in stock), replace burned wires.  Fixed.

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Re: Do I Have A Fire Hazard?

Reply #4 – February 01, 2011, 03:35:35 pm

John and Jim,

I have disconnected the wire.  I did it yesterday morning.  The part that got extremely hot has been ordered from HWH.  After I install this part I will monitor it closely to see that it remains cool or warm, but not hot.

HWH is very helpful.  They requested a photo of the part (easy for me to do) so that they could be sure they sent me the correct item.

I did think about hunting on the web for the same part, but because I really am over my head here I figured I'd rather pay a little more and get the right thing than save a few $$$ and possibly get the wrong part.  Plus, I can talk to a tech at HWH.  XYZ Solenoid Company might not be that helpful.

I expect the part by this Friday. I will report back.

Thank you for your responses.

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Re: Do I Have A Fire Hazard?

Reply #5 – February 01, 2011, 03:54:46 pm

George, I am sorry for the problem with the solenoid etc. 
I feel about everything is a fire hazard in one way or other, from the tv to the electric blanket, even the electric toothbrush. So for me, it is heads up and eyes wide open with nose sniffing for burning odors. 
Heck when DW takes a sip of spirits, I can smell it in the air hours later.  Makes her mad as a fifth lasts her 3 years. Maybe my smelling it, she will start going through it faster

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Re: Do I Have A Fire Hazard?

Reply #6 – February 01, 2011, 05:08:55 pm

Thanks, Dave.
I have a really poor sense of smell, but Sandy makes op for my deficit in that department. Hmmmm. Sense of smell is related to taste. Perhaps that is why she is such a great baker.

I am hopeful that this last fix takes care of my slide issues.

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Re: Do I Have A Fire Hazard?

Reply #7 – February 09, 2011, 07:58:09 pm

The defective valve has been replaced.  When I went to order it over the phone from HWH they did not recognize any of the part numbers on the valve so they asked me to email a photo of the part to them.  A smart procedure for them to use.

With UPS shipping the part cost $118.  I opted to use a local mobile RV tech, who I've talked with previously and liked his answers.  Basically he told me if he didn't think he could do a task, he would tell me up front.  So 90 minutes and $100 later the part was in place.

Watching the slide move in and out quickly and hearing the compressor and valve operate normally was a thing of beauty.

Another successful repair.

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