Lost 12V lights in bedroom

[bend302]

While changing the light fixture in the bathroom of my 2005 Georgetown, I accidently let the bare wires touch. There was a spark and the ceiling lights in the rear of the coach went out.

I have removed, checked and replaced every fuse in the 12V fuse box at the panel on the bed support. I have 12V at the fuse connectors and the wires are firmly attached.

Any electricians out there that can tell me where else to look?

Thanks for any help..

Bill

[GABoy]

Might be on the gfci run. Check to see if you tripped one. Bathroom check first.


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[Kaadk]

note: GFCI will be for 120v, not 12v.

So, you said you have power at the fuses, have you checked for power at the each of the fixtures and switches? A sudden surge might have caused a weak connection to fail before the fuse popped. You didn't say whether or not a fuse blew when you shorted the line. If you didn't have to replace any fuses, then this is a high possibility.

Also, since this is a motorhome, is it possible the lights are powered from a different fuse panel? I'm not 100% on motorhome wiring, but it seems plausible some of the coach lights might come from the engine's system instead of the house system. (Yeah, I don't know the proper terms, but hopefully you know what I mean.)

[chill960]

Originally Posted by bend302

While changing the light fixture in the bathroom of my 2005 Georgetown, I accidently let the bare wires touch. There was a spark and the ceiling lights in the rear of the coach went out.

I have removed, checked and replaced every fuse in the 12V fuse box at the panel on the bed support. I have 12V at the fuse connectors and the wires are firmly attached.

Any electricians out there that can tell me where else to look?

Thanks for any help..

Bill

Any chance you've got fuses under your step? Could it be one of them?

[GABoy]

Duh moment! Yes it's 12volt not on that gfci run. I would check to see if the wiring from the light in bathroom had connections in line to send power to bedroom. I would also pull light fixture in bedroom and check for power there.


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[speedjester]

This maybe obvious...(but I have missed obvious before)...Did you check the bulbs themselves?? A surge if they were on could pop the filament...especially if the fuse didn't pop...

Good luck

[bend302]

Originally Posted by GABoy

Duh moment! Yes it's 12volt not on that gfci run. I would check to see if the wiring from the light in bathroom had connections in line to send power to bedroom. I would also pull light fixture in bedroom and check for power there.


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I do not have 12V power at any ceiling light in the bedroom. I have fuses under the steps and have checked but none of those are related to house wiring.

I assume these lights are "daisy chained" and if one lost a connection, all of those before it in the chain would work???

Still lookin.

Bill

[speedjester]

You sure you made good connection ?? You probed both sides of fuse .. ??

[bend302]

Originally Posted by speedjester

You sure you made good connection ?? You probed both sides of fuse .. ??

Well, I hope so. I put the red probe on the left side of the fuse receptacle and the black on the other and read 14.5+- volts. That led me to surmise the fuse receptacle was hot. I also touched the black probe to the black screw and got 14+ V. were there other places to check.

Did same for several fuse positions and all were hot. I also checked several bulbs and they were ok.

Bill

[speedjester]

I usually use a common ground and probe each side of the fuse in the panel ..To make sure the fuse is actually bridging the connection .. If everything checks out there .. Move to pulling down each fixture effected and see if in fact the surge caused a loose connection to come off ..

[RJHuser]

If you got voltage across the fuse, the fuse is bad! Check fuses like speedjester recommend.

Rick

[dan-nickie]

Originally Posted by bend302

Well, I hope so. I put the red probe on the left side of the fuse receptacle and the black on the other and read 14.5+- volts. That led me to surmise the fuse receptacle was hot. I also touched the black probe to the black screw and got 14+ V. were there other places to check.

Did same for several fuse positions and all were hot. I also checked several bulbs and they were ok.

Bill

Bill, based on the bold statement above I would suggest that is NOT a good test.
Pull each suspected fuse and check continuity across the fuse with an Ohm meter and I"ll bet you find one is blown.

[bend302]

Originally Posted by speedjester

I usually use a common ground and probe each side of the fuse in the panel ..To make sure the fuse is actually bridging the connection .. If everything checks out there .. Move to pulling down each fixture effected and see if in fact the surge caused a loose connection to come off ..

Thanks, speedjester...

Checked each fuse with a common ground and found one with "0" volts.

New fuse=LIGHTS... I was convinced the fuses were OK but you guys made me look again...

Bill

[speedjester]

Glad to hear..it all worked out and was nothing major....stay safe