Shore power cord. (Fire)

5B Steve · September 19, 2011, 09:46:17 AM

Just thought I would pass this on to everyone, I plugged in this am to do some work on my bus and I smelled

something that was burning. Electrical wire smell. Shut everything off, noticed that the cord was extremely

hot. Found out that end was all corroded where you plug into on the inside. All of the wires had mellted and

case had just started. Probably wouldn't hurt to check yours!

Steve 5B......

Just Dallas · September 19, 2011, 11:29:52 AM

Hey Steve,

I would bet you had electrical powered up a number of times before you pulled the plug on your power pole. Not just the big stuff like the AC and the chargers, but everything in the bus that runs on AC.
As an RV park manager I've had to go down to a site and replace the 30 or 50 amp receptacle many times because over a period of time all those little arcs that happen when you unplug build up. When they build up enough, they create significant heat and WILL melt your cord or plug.
We ALWAYS ask the people that stay here to make sure they turn everything off before they unplug. Some do, the stupid ones don't and eventually have problems again, then blame bad campground wiring for the problems they caused.

Bless you heart, we're pullin' for ya.

Quote from: 5B Steve on September 19, 2011, 09:46:17 AM

Just thought I would pass this on to everyone, I plugged in this am to do some work on my bus and I smelled

something that was burning. Electrical wire smell. Shut everything off, noticed that the cord was extremely

hot. Found out that end was all corroded where you plug into on the inside. All of the wires had mellted and

case had just started. Probably wouldn't hurt to check yours!

Steve 5B......

5B Steve · September 19, 2011, 11:38:35 AM

Dallas, Your probably right, I overlook things like that , and should know better, Thanks for the reminder.

Steve 5B.....

TomC · September 19, 2011, 03:50:57 PM

Along those same lines-even though our buses ride very well, they are still creating vibration that loosens screws. I had one of my mains tripping-just was the locking screw for the wire coming into the circuit breaker wasn't as tight as should be-problem solved. Good Luck, TomC

desi arnaz · September 19, 2011, 04:59:49 PM

I kept popping breakers at the Campari in niagara falls so they moved me, bad idea. They put me in a spot that needed an extension cord,I plugged that puppy in. And boom,sparks everwhere. I. Caught the grass on fire..... Turns out I had bad connections in my junction box.

robertglines1 · September 19, 2011, 05:33:58 PM

About a month ago I posted when a ground failed in my plug (shore cord) cost me big $ one Ac unit and anything that had a transformer powering it. So I well understand. Keep the connections tight and clean. Happy bussin Bob

GilligCrown · September 19, 2011, 07:27:46 PM

' a little off-topic, I intended to charge my cell phone with my little 400-watt inverter while running errands this evening in my pickup. Instead, "I let the smoke out", and was disconnected from the world until I got home. Next time I'll take the bus, with 2000 watts of pure sine power

.

5B Steve · September 20, 2011, 07:31:55 AM

Quote from: TomC on September 19, 2011, 03:50:57 PM
Along those same lines-even though our buses ride very well, they are still creating vibration that loosens screws. I had one of my mains tripping-just was the locking screw for the wire coming into the circuit breaker wasn't as tight as should be-problem solved. Good Luck, TomC

Tom, Great point, with that said I'll go back and make sure everything is tightened up to prevent any problems

in the future.

Steve 5B.....