Lazy transfer switch?

smkettner wrote:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rasberry_crazy_ant

Attraction to electrical equipment[edit]

It is unclear why colonies of Nylanderia fulva, like many species of ants, are attracted to electrical equipment.[3][12] They may sense the magnetic fields that surround wires conducting electric current, or they prefer the warmth produced by resistance to the currents in the wires. Some argue they simply are searching for food or an attractive place to nest.[13] Infestations of electrical equipment cause short circuits, sometimes because the ants chew through insulation. Overheating, corrosion, and mechanical failures also result from accumulations of dead ants and nest detritus in electrical devices.[14]

If an ant is electrocuted, it can release an alarm pheromone in dying, which causes other ants to rush over and search for attackers. If a large enough number of ants collects, it may short out systems.[15]

Interesting!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rasberry_crazy_ant

Attraction to electrical equipment[edit]

It is unclear why colonies of Nylanderia fulva, like many species of ants, are attracted to electrical equipment.[3][12] They may sense the magnetic fields that surround wires conducting electric current, or they prefer the warmth produced by resistance to the currents in the wires. Some argue they simply are searching for food or an attractive place to nest.[13] Infestations of electrical equipment cause short circuits, sometimes because the ants chew through insulation. Overheating, corrosion, and mechanical failures also result from accumulations of dead ants and nest detritus in electrical devices.[14]

If an ant is electrocuted, it can release an alarm pheromone in dying, which causes other ants to rush over and search for attackers. If a large enough number of ants collects, it may short out systems.[15]

Before that you might wish to install a bug bomb or two .. Wait a few hours with rig closed up tight,,, Open it up, wait a few hours with fans on high, then clean the ants off the contacts.

Or clean first and bomb later.

Thanks all.

I think it all started when I had it plugged into my pool filter outlet. I had it plugged in for weeks. The ants formed a trail up the power cord and into the RV. I bombed it a couple of weeks ago and got rid of most of them. There are lots of dead ones in that transfer switch box as well as on the contacts themselves. The transfer switch is in a kitchen cabinet, but there's no food in the rig and there hasn't been for over 6 years. They're super tiny black ants.

Anyway, I'll clean the ants off the contacts :)

Weird...but I've seen several cases where ants set up a nest in electric equipment. Some invaded my parents pool pump motor years ago. I've also heard this from other folks.

Long time ago my parents had to sink a new well on the farm... Well, for some reason (We never had this problem in the past) Insects would bet into the pressure switch.. Then I'd have to lift the cover off the well pit (Concrete cover, not an easy lift) turn off power to the well, climb down and clean the switch contacts.. Climb back up restore power, verify operation and re-cover pit.

Do you know why we call errors in computer software or hardware "BUGS"?

Well, Back in the very early days.. ... An insect (Bug) got on a relay contact and caused an error.. Thus ever since, it's been "Bugs".

And remember Murphy's law: There is ALWAYS (at least) one more bug.

Clean the contacts and then coat them with dielectric grease, available at Radio Shack or most auto parts stores. Be sure to use some type of silicone sealant to completely block any pathways that the ants could use to get in to the transfer switch.

Mr.Mark wrote:

cKarlGo wrote:
What is it in there that would be attracting the ants?

cKarlGo, if you are asking me, it may be for protection off of the ground and protection from moisture (rain, yard sprinklers, etc.). The dirt and debris that they brought in corroded the breakers.

Amazing that they would be attracted to a motorhome transfer box inside a bay.

MM.

It was a general question, though your answer makes a great deal of sense. If the power cord was out, then it would have made a nice ant highway into the bay.

cKarlGo wrote:
What is it in there that would be attracting the ants?

cKarlGo, if you are asking me, it may be for protection off of the ground and protection from moisture (rain, yard sprinklers, etc.). The dirt and debris that they brought in corroded the breakers.

Amazing that they would be attracted to a motorhome transfer box inside a bay.

MM.

What is it in there that would be attracting the ants?