Manufacturer Electric Issues

[HappywifeHappylife]

Just took our new to us 29TE (2019) out for the 4th. Woke up on the first morning with no power, breaker tripped at power pole. When I reset it, sparks flew under the camper. Turned the breaker off and looked. The 50A service wire from the rear plug to the power center was pinched between the metal frame and the wood of the shell. Guess it took 2 years to finally wear through the insulation. Welded the wire to the frame. I turned the main breaker in the RV off and was able to cut the service wire on both side of the failure. Bought waterproof splice lugs and repaired it. No apparent damage to any onboard equipment. Now I have to replace insulation. This defect was covered up by the insulation, so it wasn't caught on the initial inspection. I checked along the frame and found 2 other places that had wiring pinched. Check under the RV well, this could have been a bad fire.

[5picker]

Welcome to the forum, I see it is your 1st post.

Sorry for your bad luck but thankful it wasn't more serious.

Did you take any photos you could share?

[HappywifeHappylife]

I'll see if I can get under there. Luckily I am fairly well versed in this type of work. Now I just need to figure out why my thermostat keeps cutting out. Several times it didn't come back on, once it wouldn't shut off

[Chris Pastuzyn]

Welcome from New Jersey, Glad that it wasn't as bad as it could have been,

[benchdog]

While you checking your wiring double check all the crimps. Mine were all loose and I hand to recrimp them.

[graman]

Make sure you either replace the entire wire from receptacle to power pack, or install a weathertight junction box. Code requires any splice in a line voltage (110v) connection to be in an approved box based on number and size of wires. Local code here in Canada also does not approve silicone filled wire nuts for line voltage (only low voltage). In a pinch, do what works, but long term you don't want to open yourself up to liability Insurance companies these days will look for any way to nullify your policy and leave you on the hook.

[HappywifeHappylife]

These aren't wire nuts. They are barrel lug terminal splices, like a terminal strip. I will check the electric code, I agree about the Insurance Company and finding ways out of paying!

[HappywifeHappylife]

Pictures coming. Had to get under to fix the insulation and poly barrier from the emergency "surgery"