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02-09-2017, 05:44 PM
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#1
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 9
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Transfer Switch Check '13 Winnebago Journey 40U
Hello - we have a 2013 Winnebago Journey 40U and recently smelled electrical smoke during the night prior to turning in at night. I found the smell was emitting from the power cord bay. After removing the cover of the transfer switch I found the L1 hot wire had it's insulation melted back and was arching with the upper ground block in the switch. I also found the wire lug itself was not torqued down properly. The plastic around the wire lug was burnt. This was certainly a fire hazard waiting to happen.
I highly recommend RVer's perform a check on there transfer switch electrical in/out connections. This would be a good annual check. To perform the check make sure you unplug from your electrical source and ensure your generator is not set for auto start, because if it did fire up you now have live voltage in the transfer switch box. Next remove the cover and torque down your wire lugs to 45 inch pounds or really crank them till they do not turn. Next plugin your line power and put a load on the line such as your AC for 15-20 min.
Then repeat the procedure by unplugging your line power and recheck the wire lugs one more time before closing up the transfer switch box. The second check in necessary as they will loosen somewhat after the first tightening.
Note my problems were due to the loosening of the wire lug on the hot line and the rubbing of the wire insulation on the ground block. I did have to replace the entire transfer switch as a result of the charring.
Good luck. Let me know if you have any additional questions.
__________________
2013 Winnebago Journey 40U
Blue Ox Tow System/Brake
2015 Chevrolet Malibu (Toad)
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02-09-2017, 09:04 PM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 55
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Glad you caught BEFORE going to sleep
Yes things loosen.
Same checks you did on ATS should be done on AC Power panel and DC Dist Panel.
And IF you have detachable power cords like I do you also need to check those wire connections.
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02-09-2017, 09:15 PM
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#3
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 2,044
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Driving a rolling earthquake requires frequent maintenance to the vehicle. Once yearly I remove receptacle covers and insure wires are tight in the connection, same for distribution panels and every thing A/C power. Takes about 1 day to inspect every connection.
Of course you cannot tighten those push-in connections, the entire switch/receptacle must be replaced, so I always keep one of each in my parts box.
Gives me something to do when weather is too bad to be outside.
__________________
2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA 1SG, retired;PPA,Good Sam Life member,FMCA. "We the people are the rightful masters of both the Congress and the Courts - not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow men who pervert the Constitution." Abraham Lincoln
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02-10-2017, 11:26 PM
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#4
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 195
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I described about the same thing on my coach here:
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f84/a-hea...ox-326261.html
I've read other manufacturer owners experiencing the same issue as well. It's something we all have to keep a regular check on.
Regards,
W.D.
__________________
2014 Itasca Ellipse 42QD, Freightliner Maxum, 450HP Cummins,
3000 Allison, Roadmaster Night Hawk II towing a 2011 Lincoln MKX.
2012 Newmar Canyon Star (first coach) FMCA F428511, Good Sam, Passport America.
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02-12-2017, 09:26 PM
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#5
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Oregon
Posts: 477
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Yes I agree, if you perform these checks at least yearly at the start of the season you can save yourself major headaches.
I too was caught by the loose power cord connection at the Transfer Switch and almost burned up the MH. Your Power cord moves and should be properly anchored down in the electrical bay at several places prior to entering the Transfer Switch Box. This will help ensure the connections don't come loose. But you should still verify that the connections are good and tight in the first place.
Head the warning, don't be that guy. A MH is such a precious thing to waste.
__________________
Retired Navy Submariner
2014 Itasca Sunstar 35F; 5 Star tuned; 2014 Jeep Cherokee TrailHawk
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02-12-2017, 10:09 PM
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#6
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Richmond, MN
Posts: 48
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Next time you check your connections, use Loctite 242 on the threads or Loctite Torque seal on the nut and stud. This will keep the nuts from coming loose but still allow you to remove them with standard tools.
__________________
Paul and Andrea Baker and the fuzzy kids, Riena and Chica.
2005 Winnebago Adventurer 37B
2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Toad
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02-14-2017, 10:22 AM
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#7
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 63
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Winnebago must be aware of the problem as I received a recall notice. Dealer took 20 min to correct.
__________________
Martin & Michelle and our dog Blue, Paradise, CA.
2016 Winnebago Vista LX 27N, Sumo Springs, rear track bar, Safe-T- Steer, Dish
2017 Equinox Premier AWD V6, Blue OX base and bar, SMI Stay and Play Duo
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07-12-2018, 10:37 PM
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#8
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 6
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Surge Guard Automatic Transfer switch 41260 damage
I checked my connections as a yearly inspection. I found a few loose connections and even worse some scorching and damage. I have no indication at all. Everything was functioning fine. Attached is a picture. I replaced it with a Surge Guard 40350 RVC. More money but I’m hoping for better results.
__________________
2014 Winnebago Tour QD. Flat tow 2010 Ram 3500 DRW with Harley Tri-Glide in the back. Blue Ox 10K tow bar with Air Force One proportional brake system.
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07-14-2018, 07:12 PM
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#9
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southern Ontario
Posts: 562
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You should be checking the connections in the transfer switch and tightening them - atleast once a year. They seem to loosen due to vibration when travelling. There have been multiple fires attributed to loose connection and a recall of some Winn Class C coaches recently. You should also open the main breaker box/point of entry and tighten the connections there. Any work you do on an RV electrical system should only be done with the AC supply turned off and disconnected, both batteries turned off and the inverter turned off. If you are uncomfortable doing this, get an electrician to do it the first time and observe, ask questions, and take notes so you will be comfortable doing it yourself next time. Safety first! Good luck
__________________
Bob
09 Journey 39Z
Southern Ontario
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