Cruisers Forum
Main Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: fandj on June 10, 2018, 08:29:21 am
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We are coming up on two years since we picked up on our PC at the factory. So far the 110 volt system including the surge protector, converter, automatic transfer switches (ATS), and inverter have worked well. However, reading on other forums about issues with other makes of RVs with smoking electrical components has got my attention. There appears to have been a number of events caused by poor connections that have led to burnt conductor insulation.
It would make sense under normal operation the wiring and connector would experience some amount of heat. Depending on the amount of load on the circuit, wire size, oxidation at contact points, and other factors the heating could over time further increase resistance and cause further heating. The temperature potentially could cause the wire insulation to char and could further develop into a full blown fire.
I don’t want to be an alarmist on this but I am curious if any PC owners have experienced problems resulting from electrical connector/contact over heat conditions? I plan on checking the various connections to assure they are properly tightened. Some sources have recommended doing this annually. Do others practice this preventative maintenance?
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CLICK HERE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2Mfp-jZIR0) to watch a slide show with narration (turn up the volume) that Phoenix made in 2007 to promote their motor homes. In it they describe their own wiring practices.
1) Phoenix runs full length of continuous wire from end-to-end without the use of interconnection, avoiding electrical problems related to contaminated, corroded, or arc-damaged connectors.
2) Phoenix increases the wire gauge thickest by "one". For example, a circuit typically requiring 14 gauge wiring, Phoenix uses 12 gauge, and so on.
They are excellent wiring practices. I assume the same applies to later-made PCs.
There is one thing regarding the wiring that I don't like in our 11 year old PC but never got around to changing it. That is the outlets themselves. I like outlets with screw terminations, not the easy-to-assemble "clip" method. Phoenix does not even use the type of outlet I normally see used in housing. They are strange looking with how the wires are clipped inside, very cheap by comparison. I wonder if those strange outlets are used in other regions around the country, but they are surely not "code" where I live.
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Thanks Ron for sharing the video link as I had not seen that before. When we made our first factory visit Earl pointed out many of these features prior during our factory tour. This video is a good sales tool and I think Phoenix would benefit from updating it and take advantage of current improved audio and video technology.
I expect the fact that they use heavier wire reduces the heating and slows the deterioration that frequently occurs in termination connectors (screw lugs, etc.) inside transfer switches, converters, etc. The electrician I met on the tour (think his name was Ed) seemed to be seasoned and very conscientious which also is a plus in making sure all the lugs are properly torqued. Compared to what I see on the various other forums I believe Phoenix to be a cut above many of the other manufacturers in terms of build quality.
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Last fall we had the water heater catch fire due to either the thermostat or high limit overheating. That caused the Styrofoam to burn and created thick black smoke that covered everything in greasy soot. The cost was $2700.00 to clean the PC. Lucky the only permanent damage was a small burn spot in the floor under the heater. And the burnt insulation and wires on the heater.
Service Pro did a good job cleaning the soot and smell. But there was some items we had to toss out.
This happened while the PC was parked next to the house and plugged into shore power. In the morning when I got up and went to the kitchen I kept hearing a chirping noise. It took a while to figure out it was the smoke alarm in the PC, after going off all night the battery went dead.
I haven't had time to repair the heater yet, just too many things going on this year.