kaffi311
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1963 Shasta 16 SC
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Post by kaffi311 on Dec 11, 2018 15:20:33 GMT -8
So- I was anxious to see some of my 12v lights turn on- so I got a battery and hooked some circuits up. So excited that my over the bed reading lights, porch light and even water pump switch worked (don't worry- shut that off instantly)! ( I am easily excited at this point in the build). However, when I went to check on the ceiling light circuit- I hooked up ground to negative post, and then 'hot' to positive post- and the 'hot' wire started to spark and even smoke. I stopped immediately- and wanted to check here as to what could be going on. Is it possible there was a light on and the draw caused this? (I did not check- didn't want to risk damage.) Just wanted your thoughts. Thanks kathy
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kudzu
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Post by kudzu on Dec 11, 2018 17:44:26 GMT -8
If you got smoke, you probably have a short to ground in the circuit.
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Post by vikx on Dec 11, 2018 20:12:50 GMT -8
I agree, you got your wires crossed somewhere. A direct short causes sparks and melted wires= FIRE. Trace that circuit from the source (fuse block?) and triple check each junction and fixture. Somewhere, there is hot shorted to ground.
Suspected culprits: 1. Screw thru the wiring (wonder how I know this?) 2. Hot connected to a ground wire 3. Shorted out fixture. You should be able to see this in a 12 volt fixture; it can be only one copper hair touching the opposite wire. For instance, a hot hair on the base plate. (don't ask) 4. Many 12 volt items are not color coded as our trailers are, so check that you actually connected to hot with hot and ground to ground.
Another way to find the culprit item is to disconnect the last piece in the series. That would possibly be the a ceiling light? If everything works, then you know it's the last one. If not, then disconnect the next closer to the source. I don't use this method because the wiring can get hot and the sparks make me jerk. LOL
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jukebox
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1961 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by jukebox on Dec 12, 2018 8:43:14 GMT -8
Where are your fuses? Are the 12v interior circuits fused at all? This should have caused a fuse to open. At bare minimum for testing this for a shorted circuit ( fixture or wiring ) go to a auto parts store and buy a 12 volt 10 amp reseting breaker and install in series from the positive where you are hooking up to the test battery. Also, don't hold the wires ever with bare hands on a circuit that is not protected properly. It would be the exact same as touching a red hot stove element. The copper in the wire shielding will get red hot instantly and keep heating untill something burns open. Usually the wire will burn all the way back to the source of the shorted circuit.
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