(Spent lots of time searching here and couldn’t find what I needed)I’ve been having way to many RV problems lately. Latest is my bedroom fantastic fan and fan in bathroom quit working. All fuses turned out to be good when I pulled and tested them. Trying to find the problem, eventually lead me back to where the fuses are located. The “power distribution” panel. I then put a volt meter across the actual metal spade connectors that the fuses plug into and found that I have one that is not making a connection. So in my limited elec knowledge I believe that circuit is not making a complete the circuit. One part of me wants take this thing apart and just replace or fix the spade connection on this one wire. Other part of me thinks the spade connections are one large piece molded into the plastic. And of course no part of me wants to change out the whole wiring complex for one fuse.In the pic with screw driver in it, the screw driver is pointing to a silver colored screw that I think holds this thing together. If you’ve taken one of these apart before any hints? Are spade connections molded into plastic? Or can each one be taken out and worked on? Can I undo the silver screw and remove the part that the fuses slide connection?What is the real name of the part that all the spade connections slide into? Only thing I could think of is “fuse circuit board connectors”. Thanks

Typically, 12 V fuse panels have connectivity from the pack of the panel. It may be that your RV fuse panel is different and removing that screw provides access to the connections. My suggestion would be to remove the screw.

The 12VDC FUSE PANELS are PC TYPE CIRCUIT BOARDS with all of the components sockets etc soldered on them.They can come unsoldered but that would be rare. Your problem is most likey where the screw connection is for the circuit wire that terminates on the board.You need to remove the cover you are showing with your screw driver where you can see the screw down connections for the circuit wiring. Those connections can work loose real easy... They probably was not installed to tork spec at the factory.Provide the model number of the distribution panel and perhaps you can find a photo of the exact 12VDC circuit board on-line to show how the external wires connect to it.. Be careful with the distribution panel as both 120VAC an 12VC wiring exists in close vicinity here...Typical 12VDC Fuse Panel Circuit board...Roy Ken

Roy Ken excellent points IMHOWork totally powerless under independent lighting for safety.No matter how simple or seemingly mundane TAKE IMAGES with your camera or smart phone. Return and post on the forum. More experienced eyes will catch things your's cannot.

Check the lid pin on the fan. If it is sticking when the lid is up, no fan.jim

path1 wrote:So in my limited elec knowledge I believe that circuit is not making a complete the circuit.How exactly are you testing the page like clips. The power will come in from one side and out on the other so there should only be power on one side.

elec help Please, elec dist box | Good Sam Community

21 Replies

wa8yxm
Explorer III
Oct 19, 2015
RV fuse panels come in, for this post, 2 types. Those that connect in the front and those (like mine) that connect in the rear.. on mine it is easy to get at the rear as it's in a wall that is the the "Inside" of a cabinet.. So you open the cabinet and there (on the wall) are the connections. 120 panel back side is there too (no exposed wires) makes modifications......easy...
BTPO1
Explorer
Oct 19, 2015
Thank you for the update.

Yes it is a good idea to check for loose connections occasionally. Your RV travels down the the road and there is a lot of movement and things do get loose due to vibration. Loose connections happen even in your S&B home, I have checked mine occasionally and found some loose.

When checking please use caution, electricity bites and kills and is very unforgiving. JMO
mchero
Explorer
Oct 19, 2015
I was just inspecting both low & high voltage wiring under the drawers and found a 12VDC ground lugs loose on a grounding block on the full slide side. The loose ground wires fed frear furnace on slide, pump switch and 12VDC LED vanity lights! Pays to do periodic inspections/cleanings!
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Oct 19, 2015
Good job! No mechanic will take the time and be as meticulous as an informed owner. Saludos!
path1
Explorer
Oct 19, 2015
Found and fixed problem. Took inside cover off, the wire that feeds the fuse I was having problem with only had maybe a couple strands making contact. Pulled out and stuck in right and fuse holder and fuse and fans now run.

Also found on the inside something that troubles me, beyond all the saw dust. On 120 volt side there was a lug screw laying on bottom and one lug was real loose. Back side of cover has all kinds of info and ton of warnings. One of the things listed is the torque for the lug screws. The lug laying at the bottom was real close to all the other lugs and wires. IMO I think it would be possible for the screw to bounce around and end up making contact with another wire/lug. Don't know if that is dangerous or not? But I would think making contact or conducting elec where you didn't plan to, is not a good idea.

At any rate loose lug screw is back into a empty lug hole anyways.

Here it is with cover off and before cleaning it up.

Once again thanks for all the help to all that replied.
- AmberFindle38
  Explorer
  Apr 19, 2025
  I been looking everywhere for a pannel like mine it looks just like that mine connected in the back as well can you please tell me where to get on like that my RV is a Fleetwood Terry Fitith wheel
  - bid_time
    Nomad II
    Apr 19, 2025
    There should be a name and model number on the electrical panel somewhere. Get that and do a google search. Or start a new topic and give us the name and model number of the panel you have and someone will suggest a suitable replacement.
Hornnumb2
Explorer
Oct 18, 2015
Ground one side of you meter and check the slot for voltage, if you have it reinstall fuse and check across contacts on fuse.
path1
Explorer
Oct 18, 2015
BTPO1 wrote:
I really wish that I was up in WA I would help you with your problem. Reading your last post I think that I would find someone with electrical knowledge to help you.

A continuity reading of "0" to "1" across a non-powered fuse would be normal. The reading of .25 is suspect to me and I would replace that fuse. JMO

Yes, that's what I'm trying to fix is that low reading. But it's not the fuse with that low reading but the actual fuse holder. Measured across one side of fuse holder to the other side.

Have a few more things to do and then will take apart dist box to see what I can do.
BTPO1
Explorer
Oct 18, 2015
I really wish that I was up in WA I would help you with your problem. Reading your last post I think that I would find someone with electrical knowledge to help you. A continuity reading of "0" to "1" across a non-powered fuse would be normal. The reading of .25 is suspect to me and I would replace that fuse. JMO
path1
Explorer
Oct 18, 2015
turbojimmy wrote:
filthy beast wrote:
path1 wrote:
So in my limited elec knowledge I believe that circuit is not making a complete the circuit.

How exactly are you testing the page like clips. The power will come in from one side and out on the other so there should only be power on one side.

That's exactly what I was thinking. There should only be power on one blade. It would be unusual for that board to fail in that manner. Did you check for power at the fan? Or use your DVOM to make sure that you have a complete circuit across the blades for the fuse?

Good point. You folks might be on to something. I do have very limited elec knowledge. I'll be first to admit it. Only experience I have is neighbor retire Boeing engineer (now passed away couple years ago) showed me how to wire a shed and we re-wired part of my house.

OK, fan in bedroom wouldn't work. (I put this fan in about 3 weeks ago) Changed batteries in remote. Still no work. Visually looked at fuses at fan and dist panel, still no work. Turned on everything on in TT. Discovered fan in bath also didn't work. Pulled covers on each and no elec to either fan using volt meter. Pulled fuses at dist panel and using buzzard setting on volt meter check every fuse. They all set off buzzard and still no power. Ran volt meter probes across spade connectors where fuses slide into. Volt meter went from "0" to "1" at each fuse location, except one. On that fuse spot the volt meter goes from zero to 0.25 And that fuse location lines up with label on cover of "fans". That is how I found where the problem is. And I think it was me that broke it when putting in fan 3 weeks ago. I had fuse in and out many times. When I was done putting in fan everything worked. However, I didn't run the volt meter across spade when done putting in fan, I assumed connection was good as fans were working.

(Plan for later today)...being it is OK to remove screw on panel I'll see what is behind and hopefully just a loose connection and tighten screw.

I haven't been a member all that long, but this forum is really handy sometimes.

Thank You very much for help and replies.
path1
Explorer
Oct 18, 2015
Jim-Linda wrote:
Check the lid pin on the fan. If it is sticking when the lid is up, no fan.

jim

Good point. I thought that was problem also. But fan in bath, which is regular fan isn't getting elec either.