RV Electrical Repair

Electrical issues are a very common problem with many RV owners. Sometimes things just naturally go astray and other times the issue is from shoddy craftsmanship as the vendor tries to save money. The RV electrical system is a complex one that integrates a 120 and a 12V system. The 12 Volts part is often used for lighting and for vent fans. Most of the other outlets will use the standard 120 Volts just like a home would. If you take a look at the power panel, the circuit breakers will likely be push button instead of the conventional breakers. Just like in a home environment, these devices can break down and fail and on occasion may need to be replaced. I know from experience that if the devices trip too many times, they can wear out and sometimes will not reset. Fortunately, this is an easy fix that you can often do on your own. If you do not have any electrical skills, it is best to have a pro do it for you.

The next thing on the list is an outlet that has no power. This can happen for several different reasons. The first is the most basic and that is a loose wire in the receptacle. Please remember before doing any electrical work to kill the power at the main breaker first! Once the power is off, remove the receptacle that is not working and check the wiring. Be sure all the connections are tight. If you found a loose wire, you should be good to go. If not, then the issue is likely with another receptacle that is downstream from the one you are having the issues with. Sometimes the receptacles are daisy chained together so you will have to check plugs that might be hidden in closets or cabinets for loose wires as well. Often times it might just be a ground wire that is loose causing the problem. Be sure you have a multi meter handy so you can check the voltages at the various outlets in the RV.

Sometimes it is the 12 Volt system that malfunctions. When the 12 Volt system stops working it is often because the conversion transformer has failed and is not providing power to the system. If one of these does goes bad, they can be costly to replace.

If you find that you have a defective outlet, it is often safer and more efficient to replace it with a standard narrow household outlet in place of the RV type that is usually used. They are often made cheaper than the RV type and the clips will often loose contact with the wires. Not only is this disruptive, but it can become a fire hazard as well.

Remember, an RV electrical system can be complex and sometimes it is difficult to pinpoint where a problem actually is. Because electrical issues can be a fire hazard, if you do not have any electrical skills, it is often best to hire a pro to do it for you. Always be sure to address electrical problems quickly for this very reason!  TheCamperPros  Forest City NC