What went wrong!

[timandbrenda]

I was working on the lights to the camper Saturday and everything went out!
Here is what i was doing.
1- Had the camper pluged into 110 - Relocating TV, checking on other 110 stuff, etc...
2- Thought! I wonder if all the runing lights work?
3- Backed tow vehicle up to camper and plugged in 7 way connector.
4- Several lights at top are out.
5- Took off lens to one light that was out and moved the bulb around. POP!
6- All Lights are now out after a spark from moving the blub.

I'm thinking blown fuse - Could it be in the tow vehicle?

I'm also thinking I should havn't plugged into the tow vehicel while still plugged into 110 vac.


Tim

[offspringin]

I dont know that having the trailer plugged into 110 should affect the tow lights (unless maybe your running a battery set up and something there is wired wrong) Sounds like something shorted out and blew a fuse to me. My truck actually had separate fuses for the trailer lighting so you may need to look for a different fuse. Im no expert, perhaps someone has some better step by step advice on what to check. I was having a similar problem but with mine it ended up being a screw that holds a wing on had pierced a hot line. Blew a fuse every time it was plugged into the truck.

[kto17]

Tim,
Those two systems should be separate unless you have an inverter and someone wired the running lights to come on when camping.

It is possible someone crossed some wires.

It sounds like a short. Check the tow vehicle to see if there is a separate fuse for trailer lights, but there probably is not one. If you have a test light you can check all the grounds and hots at each of the running lights and test the bulbs on something else if you can. There may be some corrosion at a socket that is the problem. I have also heard of someone putting a screw thru a hot 12v wire.

[kto17]

Funny that you should respond at the same time I did. Not that I named any names

[offspringin]

LOL! who would put a screw through a wire... those damn wings! what are the odds the last thing you mess with is the culprit. Had i tested the wiring between paneling and wing re-install things would have been easier to sort out..... oh well....

Also kto17 said there likely is not a separate fuse for trailer lights but my truck does have that so i would certainly look for that. I think mine has one that maybe says "brake lights" for the trucks lights and says "trailer lights or something" for the trailer.

[vikx]

I'll join this club... last screw I installed on my Aladdin tail light nicely grounded the running light wire to the skin. Drat.

[harrison429]

I'd make fun about those of you (offspringin and vikx) who don't seem to know "how to screw" (teehee) but I fear the karmic gods would smite me for it!

Our running ligts never worked so we had to chase wires too but thankfully ours was just a misplaced grounding line the po had installed.

[timandbrenda]

I'll let you know what went wrong as soon as I find my multimeter.
Tim

[timandbrenda]

Well I found part of the problem. 1st - I found my Multimeter ;D. 2nd - I found a blown fuse in the tow vehicle. Clap, Clap, Lights on!!

Now I need to understand why this happen. I'll keep searching and let you know.

Thanks All!

[vikx]

Harrison is mean. It was an accident. AND I learned a lesson....

[offspringin]

Oct 5, 2012 0:55:07 GMT -5 vikx said:

Harrison is mean. It was an accident. AND I learned a lesson....

i agree... very mean... wheres a moderator when you need one? (just kidding.... about the moderator part). Harrison is a-ok in my camping book

[vikx]

Guess we'll keep Harrison; that pink, er, salmon Shasta Compact is just too cool....