Forum Discussion

Ashune566's avatar
Ashune566
Explorer
Dec 31, 2013

Fuse blowing immediatly after shroud broke off and got wet

We are new to having an RV. A few weeks ago our AC shroud blew off (it was at a storage unit so we do not know how long it had been). Then we had a huge ice storm and lots of rain. My husband went to get it and go hunting/camping. He said that every time he turned everything on the same fuse kept blowing.

There was no air working and the microwave was not working. (Things that worked fine previously) He was trying to run the heat. Everything else worked fine.

Can someone help me as to what I may need to check to replace/fix.
  • You say a fuse blows but the fuses are for the 12VDC side. Things like the AC or microwave are protected by a breaker.
    Can you clarify, is it a fuse or breaker issue?
  • Trying to run heat.....furnace is 12V and t-stat controls both A/C and furnace.
    So depending on model the 12V DC may go thru A/C controller.
    A/C unit is partially exposed to elements (fan motor/condenser cooling unit) but the controls/contacts etc should not have been exposed as they are under the metal sealed cover for evap cooler and capacitors.
    Sounds like when the AC shroud was whacked and knocked off the sealed cover was damaged and allowed water into the sealed area.
    Need to go up on roof and remove metal cover/access plates and check for damaged wiring/burnt wires/controller.

    As for the A/C Unit and Microwave not working.........was the trailer plugged into an AC power source?
    If not......they won't work as they are 110V AC appliances
  • My husband and I were trying to figure out the problem... It is a fuse problem the breakers are all staying on and just 1 fuse is tripping. We changed the fuse and turned on the AC and it turned on! YAY.

    The microwave still did nothing so we plugged in a cell phone cable and it did not work in that outlet but worked in all the other outlets. Then we tried the heater- and absolutely NOTHING. We did not hear anything. Our fridge light is coming on but absolutely not doing anything else. I opened the fridge door on the outside and everything was cold (as in not working) and nothing turned on. (I am going to try and unplug it and try the cell phone thing in the fridge outlet)but would the light still turn on if the outlet was not working?

    Could it be an outlet issue for that side of my camper because the heater, fridge and microwave are all right next to each other?

    So if I am correct I think my shroud blowing off has nothing to do with the electrical issues in my camper since the AC came on and worked. Is that correct thinking??
  • Also, we have a 6000 watt generator and we plug it into the 20 amp plug in.
  • I have saw breakers that have tripped and appear to be closed (on) but are actually open (off)when just looking at them. You need to check each one by lightly touching the breaker handle to the off position, if it moves to the mid position it is tripped. If it is tripped you need to move it to the off position and then reclose it. JMT
  • I agree with the previous two posts. You either have a GFCI or a breaker that is tripped. My bet is on a GFCI though. Those are the household outlets that have a test and reset button on them. There is probably more than one and one of them might be tripped.Look in hte bathroom, outside storage, and maybe at the external outlet under the awning. Press the test button and make sure it snaps the reset button out. If nothing happens press the reset button. If it resets then press the test button again to verify that it works. Make sure to press the reset button in firmly when your done testing.

    For the breakers I would flip each breaker off. Then while it's off, push down extra hard toward the off position. If it was tripped it has to go further into the off position to reset it. Then flip it back on.
  • Make sure any outside receptacles are dry. Reset all of the GFCI outlets.
    I'd suggest that you buy a handheld meter and learn how to use it. It will save you a ton of time and aggravation with your RV.
  • If it's the breaker or GFCI would that be the cause for the same fuse to keep blowing?