Cyclone: Almost burned it down. Thanks Heartland Q.C.

[tgreening]

Spending a couple of weeks at Disneys Fort Widerness. Needless to say its hot, so 2 ACs running, some fans, etc. I was out n about the campground when I get a call from the wife that the breaker panel is smoking, hurry back. Get back and yes its smoking and smelling weird as well. Pull all the******from under the sink, because it seemed like a good idea to put your main electrical right under a major wet area, but other than one waywRd baggie with some sink stoppers i. It, nothing hot gotten close to the backside of the panel. Baggie wasn't melted, but I could see smoke coming from back of the panel as well.pet my hand on the main breaker and boy howdy was he hot.

Eight people and 3 dogs to keep cool in the 95 heat had me reluctant to shut it down but I told the wife to go kill power at the post. I was reluctant to mess with the breaker box till then.

The breaker was never seated properly from the factory. Inside the panel were two metal fingers that were supposed to press between corresponding contacts inside the breaker. Hold your hands in front of your face in a praying position. Those are the breaker contacts. Slide a finger between tose two hands and you get the picture.

One finger was where it was supposed to be. The other finger was bent uup and simply resting on top the contacts and not pressed between them. Enough for "contact" but not a good connection. And of course we all know a poor contact, with some decent amp draw means excess heat. In this case enoguh, over time I'm guessing, to finally melt the top out of the breaker.

When I pulled it out the entire top of one side was gone, and the contacts fell out into my hand. I wish I could get a photo up right now but for whatever reason my cell service is declining to cooperate.

Luckily everyone was awake and they spotted the issue. Everything I care about in the world was inside that camper...wife, kids, mutts. If I had lost them to some schmuck too concerned about "gettin anothern out da door", well, I was a decent hunter back in the day. I'll post the photo first chance.

[lakings10]

Heartland QC is not that good. I've had 2 cyclone's and one road warrior and have had issues that was a result of very poor QC.

My new Fuzion,(knock on wood) has been great so far, and the QC and fit and finish has been a breath of fresh air.

[Ric_Flair]

I'd certainly let Heartland know about that. We all deal with, and to some degree, accept the general cardboard quality we get from the RV industry.

However, this is a serious safety issue. I'll definitely be checking my electrical systems this weekend. I will say that when I run both AC units on really hot days I will usually end up either tripping the breaker at the pole (if on shore power) or the breakers on the Onan.

[steiny93]

interesting that it has gone for a few years then have trouble; has someone been working on it lately?

I've seen two different rv's where the neutral lead coming into the coach was loose; both melted through and smoked a bunch; you probably want to double check those as well.

[Y-Guy]

Glad your ok and that you caught it. Imagine if it had happened while you were off at the parks. Whew, dodged a bad situation. I'd sure let them know about the problem though.

[tgreening]

Extended warranty maybe, but the breaker irself was only about $10 @ Lowes. The corner of the pathetic plastic breaker box is melted away, and I wouldnt replace that with anything except a metal box anyway.

Nobody got killed or injured so I'm guessing the factory could give a rats patootie, and if someone had gottne injured I'm guessing their care factor would begin and end with caring about their potential liability.

[Oasisbob]

Flad you are all alright. Could have ended up much worse. This is yet another example of the RV industry needing to up the standard for quality. What a sad avoidable situation. Is this under warranty or insurance? So sorry for your situation.