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Electric Reel Possible Issues

June 17, 2019, 11:05:55 pm

This was posted for an earlier electrical problem discussion, and it seems that others may be interested so I posted as its own thread. . .

Electric reels have a weak link that does not exist with coaches without reels.

Reels use four spring loaded brushes against four slip rings. Brushes can be a resistive weak link, and if slip ring is rotated when amps are being drawn, the brush / ring contact can arc and pit. And if moved with high amps, the reel can be irreversibly damaged.

Also, over time spring, brushes can break or wear down with normal use.  If one brush fails, that part of the circuit, (hot, hot, neutral, ground) may not work.

BTW, even very small rotations under power can damage the reel. This includes someone stepping on shore cable triggering a little movement of the reel.

Electric reels are desirable, popular, convenient and add a complexity.

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Re: Electric Reel Possible Issues

Reply #1 – June 18, 2019, 07:29:35 am

As a FYI,  the newer IH45 & not sure if the IC-37 do not use a reel so do not have this problem.  The power cord is hard wired to the coach. Then there is a mechanism that then extends or retracts the power cord and coils it up in a container when the power switch is activated up or down.

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Re: Electric Reel Possible Issues

Reply #2 – June 18, 2019, 12:37:10 pm

We installed the same glendinning power cord.  No slip rings.  Had to turn it sideways and put a hole in the compartment wall to extend the cord. No room for a hose reel afterwards

RVCM-7 - Glendinning Products

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