3100 electric scheme?

Sorry to bother y'all again but I need to plead again about whether any 3100 owner has ever been able to get information from PC about the wiring/fuses for the 12 volt system.  While I was able to disconnect the wires from the front fan control board to stop the fan and vent opening mechanism from working, that doesn't stop the power to that fan from still causing the outbursts where the light goes on and off  and the mechanism is trying to do something on its own.  I also realized during one of those episodes that the lights on the panel that should report fluid levels had all come on by themselves which makes this seem more like a general wiring issue rather than just a problem with the control board in the fan.  Obviously, something isn't right.  Tried reaching out to Dave explaining all that was happening - asked about the fuses - specifically asked  for information on what each fuse controlled (pulling fuses wasn't stopping my issues).  Asked about the wiring scheme to understand any relationship between the fan and the level gauge.

Bad news was that the call I got came from a person there with whom I have already had bad encounters. Saving all the back and forth we had again this time, what he told me is he didn't know what fuse went to that fan.  He didn't know why this would happen - it shouldn't.  And I could look for a red wire.  Really - why have this guy call me if he didn't know the answer. 

I wrote back to Dave again about my frustration and my concern about my issue and the danger it might portend.  Was there only ONE red wire in the coach that locating it would tell me which fuse?  Was I supposed to take apart the bed to get to the back of the fuse box to look for it? I asked again for the fuse and wiring scheme. 

Dave didn't answer at all.

So, I am hoping someone out there with this model has gotten that info at some point.  How I miss Kermit and the days when you could get a clean, fast, correct answer because he KNEW how the RVs were built and cared about getting answers we needed to us.   All of us, not just some customers.  Back when I was looking to purchase, a point of pride at the company had been things like the same person ran the same wiring runs in every RV for years.  There really has to be someone there who knows where wires run and what each of the fuses does.   A person who actually knows that could quickly provide the answer, but I can’t reach a person who knows.

If anyone has the information it would certainly help me to get someone started in the right spot to clear up these odd happenings rather than shooting in the dark trying to figure out what run of wiring goes where inside these wall and ceilings to see what isn't right.  Sorry for my frustration.  Thanks for any help you can provide.

I understand your frustration and I don't have a specific answer for you, but a thought based on what you've posted.

My memory is that you are winter overing in PA. and have been parked for several months.

If that's true... and me having grown up in PA, I wonder if you may have mice scampering thru the many crevices on the underside of your RV eating the insulation and as they run back and forth causing wires to cross and uncross (switch on/off).

I truly hope that is not the case, because it'll be a large job to find and fix.   But knowing how mice will do just about anything to build nests, find food and find warmth in the cold, I don't think you can ignore that possibility.   And number 1 job now would be to get rid of the mice and keep them out

You call yourself "Catsaplenty" so I am guessing you may have a cat or two with you.  Have any of them caught a mouse in your RV?  That'd be a sure sign they're in the area and may likely be in the wiring areas.

Again, I hope that's not the issue.

Don

Thanks for the thought Don.  I have not seen mouse activity.  Don't have as many cats as I once did but still have two with me.  I don't have the water or sewer hooked up fulltime so I do get to poke around under the RV to get to hoses to fill and empty tanks regularly. 

I reality I worry there is a short - part of why it would not act as the guy at the factory thought.  Just trying to get some clue where the wires run - to which lights, etc and which fuse to have a plan on where to have someone look. 

I will poke around for any mouse evidence.

Diana

Agree... The fact that the electrical issues keep changing is what made me think that something was moving the wires and "turning" things off and on.

As I am sure you are aware, wires don't move on their own.  So something is moving them.   It could be expansion and contraction from the temperature but that would still require the insulation to be missing.

Anyway... Good luck!

Don

If there are screws on the inside trim bezel try to remove it to get to the  12v wires tucked into the headliner. If you see plastic wire nuts twist one of them counter clockwise and disconnect one side of the 12v power to the vent fan assembly. From what you are describing it sounds like you disconnected the rain sensor or thermostat inputs to the controller board, but it’s still turning the motor(s) on and off , so you may just have a bad controller board, or by disconnecting the sensors you may have tricked it into thinking it’s either raining or hot. Just  disconnect the 12v supply voltage and sort out the sensors and controller board later.

I agree with what CalCruiser has suggested.  If I may add one suggestion after you have removed any wire nuts, be sure to tape off any exposed wire ends to avoid a "hot" wire from touching something that it shouldn't.
Gary

Thanks but no wire nuts - the connection from the fan to the 12volt is not something I can pull apart - another thing that was in my first email to Dave.  I was able to disconnect the wires from the board to the fan and to the motor that opened the vent.  My concern though is that the electrical seems to be beyond the fan - hence my concern about a short or someother unusual issue that needs to be tracked down.  Is that fan sharing a line with the lights on the level guauge for instance.  Appreciate both of you offering advice on the 12 volt  conneon though.

Per attached diagram, perhaps fan tied to either; macerator,  slide out or generator start breakers. Consider tripping those breakers and see if power goes out.  If you pulled all the 12 volt fuses these breakers, according to diagram, are only other 12 volt feeds. Use attached diagram as guide only.  It may not apply to all PC’s.

You could try to call fan manufacturer to see if the problems you see could be related to issue they could identify with their equipment, like a control board. 

Per donc13, I would also look closely at wiring for damage.  Under passenger bed a good start with a bright light.  Be careful in there.  Keep your hands in your pockets. Visual observation is best.  Take rings off along with jewelry. Can’t be careful enough around energized equipment. I know you know but sometimes mind doesn’t stay on task! Maybe more importantly look for poop!

Sounds like you are doing all the right things.  You could have multiple issues here.  Once you can isolate it a clearer problem may stand out.

Attached diagram: I don’t remember who posted it, but thanks it is very helpful!

Ron S

Thanks Ron - a picture is always a good thing!   Next time the outburst occurs I will try those breakers.

Diana

Remember to diagram below is only a guide.  The connections may not apply to all PC’s.

Ron S.