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Melted fuse and no running lights

scout4trout
Explorer
Explorer
First, I'd like to say that in the 8 1/2 years we've had our Alpenlite, this is the first time we've had a problem. Last month we opened the cabinet door of the fuse panel area under the refrigerator and noticed that we had a melted 15amp fuse in the exterior fuse panel and the wire looked burned. Turned out it was the wire for our running lights. No idea how long we had this problem since we don't normally drive after dusk. We replaced the fuse but the wire started burning again. Had input from several people with electrical experience, and we started to really worry about how big a job it was going to be to find the short and fix it without ripping things apart. Well, we finally took the camper in yesterday to winterize and fix the wiring problem. We were very lucky. It turned out that the fuse panel was the problem. Put in a new panel and all the running lights are working. The technician said that it is not unusual for the panel to go. Perhaps this information might be helpful to others in this forum.
2017 Ford F250 XL STX SCSB 6.2 gas with camper package, Torklift Tiedowns & Fast Guns, Airbags, payload 3,436
2017 Northern Lite 8'11"Q Sportsman with preferred options
7 REPLIES 7

scout4trout
Explorer
Explorer
The "exterior" panel in the truck camper has six fuses for the following:
left turn signal
backup lights
right turn signal
running lights
refrigerator
solar panel

The signal and light wires from the seven circuit connector plug that goes from the truck to the camper are connected to the right side of the panel and then the wires that go to the lights and signals are connected on the left side.
It was difficult to find a panel, only one seemed to meet the requirements - Blue Sea Systems S Blade Fuse Block with 6 independent sourced circuits. It seems heavier duty than the original.
2017 Ford F250 XL STX SCSB 6.2 gas with camper package, Torklift Tiedowns & Fast Guns, Airbags, payload 3,436
2017 Northern Lite 8'11"Q Sportsman with preferred options

ticki2
Explorer
Explorer
I have the same question .:?
'68 Avion C-11
'02 GMC DRW D/A flatbed

Joe417
Explorer
Explorer
Scout4trout,

When you say "exterior fuse panel" and "running lights" are you meaning the 2 tail lights and 10 marker lights.

I only ask because none of the campers we've have owned had fuses in the camper for the running lights.

They were powered and fused by the tow vehicle.
I just assumed all campers were wired the same as far as running and brake lights.
Joe and Evelyn

Boatycall
Explorer
Explorer
YC 1 wrote:
It is not unusual for fuse boxes to need replacement. The contacts can become resistive which can then lead to heat and ultimately a slow disintegration of the box.


x2

I personally have repaired two bad fuse boxes for friends. In both cases, a bad solder joint on the fuse connector mounted on the PC board was the culprit. It would cause enough heat to melt the fuse.

It wasn't an issue with over-current which would then pop the fuse, it was an issue of poor workmanship, leading to a bad connection, which then of course meant circuit failure with the fuse still good.
'15 F450, 30k Superhitch, 48" Supertruss, 19.5's, Torklift Fast Guns
'12 Eagle Cap 1160, 800watts solar, Tristar MPPT, Magnum Hybrid 3k Inverter
'15 Wells Cargo 24' Race Trailer, 600 watts Solar, TriStar MPPT, Xantrex 2kw inverter
'17 Can Am X3 XDS Turbo

rutzbeck
Explorer
Explorer
Also if you have a dog. They sleep right in front of the panel. I vacuum mine regularly. Even though it is covered lots of dog hair comes out of it. A couple times a year I take the front cover off and do a deeper clean. In the summer the hair will make it smell hot, I don't know if it would start a fire but I don't want to find out.

YC_1
Nomad
Nomad
It is not unusual for fuse boxes to need replacement. The contacts can become resistive which can then lead to heat and ultimately a slow disintegration of the box.
H/R Endeavor 2008
Ford F150 toad >Full Timers
Certified Senior Electronic Technician, Telecommunications Engineer, Telecommunications repair Service Center Owner, Original owner HR 2008

WNYBob
Explorer
Explorer
Check what size fuse you are using, the fuse should pop before any issues with the wire!

Sounds like some one put a 20 amp fuse on 15 amp wiring.