Puma Electrical Problem

The electrical work in many RVs leaves much to be desired. Sloppy, and therefore possibly dangerous work is rampant. I have a relative who sent me pics of his wiring showing five neutrals which were pigtailed into one wire before terminating on the neutral bus. It was partially burned away.

Thanks, updates are important for learning.

Finally got back from camping and had some time with a test light and tools to figure out I had a broken ground wire.
Scary part is the broken ground wires were burned black and the crimp connector melted/burnt. This was all under the kitchen cabinet behind one of the lights that was not working. Seems that ground wire went from the converter, to the light, then on to the awning and other light switches.
After cutting out the burnt wire and making a good connection everything is working. I didn't find any extra heat or anything so I hope this is the end of it.

Just wanted to post an update....

beemer is right. If you have a meter check for 12v on both sides of the fuses. If the 12v is there, follow the wiring. Also check for loose screws on connectors.

How did you check the fuses? You MUST USE A METER or other tester, you cannot "look" at them.

You either have a burnt fuse, open switch, or a broken/open wire.

ScottG wrote:

MFL wrote:
Check to see that you do not have a tripped GFI recepticle, which may cause partial loss of electric.

Jerry

That won't effect 12V items.

You are correct Scott. I see all things OP mentioned are 12V.

Jerry

MFL wrote:
Check to see that you do not have a tripped GFI recepticle, which may cause partial loss of electric.

Jerry

That won't effect 12V items.

Check to see that you do not have a tripped GFI recepticle, which may cause partial loss of electric.

Jerry

After reading your reply, it looks like you have a bad connection, or short, on a separate 12v circuit. There may be a blown fuse on this circuit.

I would check wire connections to the step motor first. Two reasons: steps get dirty and may stick causing fuse to blow; battery box may be located directly above the step-motor allowing battery acid (from cleaning batteries) to drip through vent holes on connections eating them up. This really happened on my steps.

Problem is your battery. Since you are new you most likely have never used a multi-meter to read the voltage directly at the battery-terminals. All items mentioned run off battery.

Once the battery goes dead from insufficient charging, or a cell shorts out, the converter/charger may not be able to pass current through battery and circuit to power the 12v items even when plugged into shore-power.

Not all RV's are created equal. For now check voltage at battery and the battery-disconnect switch. If the battery voltage drops too low the switch may not function and batteries are disconnected from the 12v circuit.

A fully charged battery is 12.6+ volts (50% about 12.1 volts). If the voltage is in this range check the circuit-breaker for converter/charger to see if tripped. Also check for a burned out fuse for 12v output.