Potential Fire Hazard
Thought I would share an experience I encountered yesterday while on a service call.
The customer had a 2 year old 5th wheel and was complaining about the 12 Volt lamps burning up. Yes burning up! Upon arrival I see maybe as many as 10 or 12 cheap plastic lamp housings with dual 921 bulbs and integrated on/off rocker switches ALL of them showing severe heat related issues. Some with melted lens and some with a melted rocker switch each and everyone with discolored lamp sockets.
My first thoughts wow he was lucky to not have a fire.
Voltage at the lamps measured a constant 14.8 Volts. Found the battery disconnect switch was in the off position with the converter outputting a constant 14.8 Volts. Turned on the battery switch and watched the voltage drop to 13.2 after several minutes. Cleaned up the lamp sockets with some contact cleaner as best that could be done under the circumstances and STRONGLY suggested replacement of all the lamps with LEDs ASAP.
I wonder how many fires those cheap junk lamp assemblies have caused over the years.
The customer had a 2 year old 5th wheel and was complaining about the 12 Volt lamps burning up. Yes burning up! Upon arrival I see maybe as many as 10 or 12 cheap plastic lamp housings with dual 921 bulbs and integrated on/off rocker switches ALL of them showing severe heat related issues. Some with melted lens and some with a melted rocker switch each and everyone with discolored lamp sockets.
My first thoughts wow he was lucky to not have a fire.
Voltage at the lamps measured a constant 14.8 Volts. Found the battery disconnect switch was in the off position with the converter outputting a constant 14.8 Volts. Turned on the battery switch and watched the voltage drop to 13.2 after several minutes. Cleaned up the lamp sockets with some contact cleaner as best that could be done under the circumstances and STRONGLY suggested replacement of all the lamps with LEDs ASAP.
I wonder how many fires those cheap junk lamp assemblies have caused over the years.
