Forum Discussion

AllegroD's avatar
AllegroD
Nomad
Sep 06, 2018

That Burning Smell

Well, at about 2 AM we woke up to an awful "ozone" electrical burning smell. We could not locate the source. The smell returned at about 0900. Again, we could not find the source. We thought maybe the electric WH. Since we were leaving soon and the weather was fair, we just unplugged. When we got home, we did not plug back in.

Well, after some searching we found this:

and this:


It is in the shop now for replacing.
  • Dusty_R's avatar
    Dusty_R
    Explorer
    Sep 06, 2018
    I replaced a 42 pole panel in a shop once where they were turning the lights on and off using the breakers. That caused the breakers to wear from the everyday movement.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Sep 06, 2018
    Have never seen that IN A MOTOR HOME or house.. HAVE however seen it. Reported it to park maintenance.. They came out with a new breaker and fixed it. (Well I detected it by other means but SAW it when the park handy-person opened the box. I mean I do not apply screwdriver to park hardware.. Just fingers).
  • TenOC's avatar
    TenOC
    Nomad
    Sep 06, 2018
    Yes, circuit breakers go bad most of the time due to poor electrical connections. They do make an anti-oxid grease that may (?) help.
  • dmck413's avatar
    dmck413
    Explorer
    Sep 06, 2018
    A point and shoot thermometer could help to locate the hot spot.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Sep 06, 2018
    That is a fried AC Panel Bus Bar and circuit breaker


    Next time.....unplug/kill power first time you smell that 'ozone electrical scent'
    Lucky you didn't have a FIRE

About Technical Issues

Having RV issues? Connect with others who have been in your shoes.24,189 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 21, 2025