Hidden electrical danger

[Sparky1]

Here’s a heads up. The RV 30amp inlet port cracked at the plastic piece that holds the three 120 volt connectors in place and a small piece fell out when I unhooked. I thought disconnecting the wire was harder than usual. I looked into the socket and saw the connectors were not in place correctly so I removed the four screws holding the entire connector assembly to the RV and the entire connector assembly fell into my hands!

Not one wire was tight enough to hold a half pound connector!!

I guess the loose connections created enough heat to cook the plastic insert holding the connectors making it brittle enough to finally break in pieces. Curious that the romex wires showed no overheated insulation though.

I’m very thankful this travel trailer didn’t catch fire. This rv was built in 2016 so this hasn’t been looked at in nearly nine years. And this isn’t an item I’ve ever seen on maintenance checklists but it will be on mine going forward.



Happy Camping to all!

 

[Riverbug]

Good PSA.

 

[trailrydr]

SCARY PSA.

 

[WhittleBurner]

Thanks for that heads up, it isn't something you would inspect because there is constant contact with each trip and departure. Glad it did not end badly for you.

 

[Kurt and Deb]

Glad it ended well.

I'm not an electrician but I've seen them use a thermal camera to inspect power panels in homes and businesses to spot lose connections (generates heat as you found out the hard way). I have a cheap one for my cell phone, works pretty good. Just a thought for a quick and easy way to inspect the RV power connections.

Anyone use a thermal camera in this type of situation?

 

[trailrydr]

Wasnt there a forum poster here from about 3-4yrs ago claim that they had just picked up their new 5er from the dealer and drove it an hour to their home. Once parked in their driveway, they noticed that the trailer (still hooked up to the TV) caught on fire at the junction box on the pinbox?

Reminds me of Danny Aykroyd's character in the "Twilight Zone Movie" opening scene... "You wanna see something really scary?". I think the OPs situation ranks in that category.