..Well I did as I said about going away for a few days..took off yesterday morning heading for the Veterans camp at Dareton between Mildura and Wentworth. Decided to drive some back roads I hadn't been on before, cruising along 85 kph and enjoying myself. Then "****E" everything came to a halt. No electrics..nothing..'What The !!! Was just out from Nildotte with me crawling around the ground looking and looking..under the bonnet checking and checking..burnt fingers..covered in dirt..gravel rash..bloody flies crawling in my eyes and ears..ants chewing my butt..sweat in my eyes..ahh lovely..now what. A local ****y gave me a tow into Swan Reach where I got some mechanical / knowledgeable help. Fuses blown..all wiring hot as..this melted..that melted..ignition computer upset etc etc etc. After many hours and back tracking the wiring..opening up the camper trailer, pulling it apart we found the culprit.. 2 bare ended wires. One of the previous owners had removed a central tail /stop light/number plate light from the tailgate and allowed the wires to fall back inside and never fixed the problem...now I have to ! The whole trailer got HOT..melted wiring..melted light plastics and did lots of nasty things..and now I wish it had burnt and could have got something decent from insurance. Bugga ! Anyway, ran some temporary wires thru to get myself home last night as I couldn't stay in the camper because of the after smell of burnt plastic..will need a good airing. So there you go ..seems I am not destined to go away..every time I try some thing always goes astray..Watch Out Nuthouse here I come..ha ha ha .
Time for a drink and a sob in the corner...cheers
dave06 said
01:10 PM Oct 25, 2008
hell Dennis you've got my sympathy, is there anyway you can open her up for tonight get that north wind blowing through and air it out in time to head off again tomorrow, but I suppose with the cooked wiring she will have to be redone, mate, next time, have a beer for me. keep trying, when you do get out there it is worthwhile
NannyMon said
03:41 PM Oct 25, 2008
Oh Grizzie,
I am sending you a big squissssshy hug, hope that helps.
twobob said
08:32 PM Oct 25, 2008
Grizzly
I feel for you mate, but something does not add in what you have written, and may be worth saying in case I am right.
Normally, all trailer connections are linked into the cars system, ie turn indicators to trailer turn indicators, etc. The prime mover (car) has safety systems to blow a fuse BEFORE melting wires, even if addtional connections are made - trailer.
The only exception to that rule is the axcillary connection. This is a "hot wire" from a battery source, to run "other" equipment, but it should also be fused.
What I would look at is none of these to start, as I have seen this happen. Check the "earth" wire "normally white" IS connected through the plug and earthed, also it is earthed on the trailer. If you are handy with a multimeter, this is easy.
Without getting into too much detail, and I am not sure I could explain it well. When the "earth" or grounding wire is not connected, then you have a situation where the electricty will find its own way home, and can produce what you have described.
waltzing matilda said
02:16 PM Oct 30, 2008
Hi Grizz. You must be very good looking 'cause you sure aren't lucky. Seriously, I do feel for you. Hope you're on the road again soon. Cheers.
Decided to drive some back roads I hadn't been on before, cruising along 85 kph and enjoying myself. Then "****E" everything came to a halt. No electrics..nothing..'What The !!!
Was just out from Nildotte with me crawling around the ground looking and looking..under the bonnet checking and checking..burnt fingers..covered in dirt..gravel rash..bloody flies crawling in my eyes and ears..ants chewing my butt..sweat in my eyes..ahh lovely..now what.
A local ****y gave me a tow into Swan Reach where I got some mechanical / knowledgeable help.
Fuses blown..all wiring hot as..this melted..that melted..ignition computer upset etc etc etc.
After many hours and back tracking the wiring..opening up the camper trailer, pulling it apart we found the culprit..
2 bare ended wires. One of the previous owners had removed a central tail /stop light/number plate light from the tailgate and allowed the wires to fall back inside and never fixed the problem...now I have to !
The whole trailer got HOT..melted wiring..melted light plastics and did lots of nasty things..and now I wish it had burnt and could have got something decent from insurance. Bugga !
Anyway, ran some temporary wires thru to get myself home last night as I couldn't stay in the camper because of the after smell of burnt plastic..will need a good airing.
So there you go ..seems I am not destined to go away..every time I try some thing always goes astray..Watch Out Nuthouse here I come..ha ha ha .
Time for a drink and a sob in the corner...cheers
I feel for you mate, but something does not add in what you have written, and may be worth saying in case I am right.
Normally, all trailer connections are linked into the cars system, ie turn indicators to trailer turn indicators, etc. The prime mover (car) has safety systems to blow a fuse BEFORE melting wires, even if addtional connections are made - trailer.
The only exception to that rule is the axcillary connection. This is a "hot wire" from a battery source, to run "other" equipment, but it should also be fused.
What I would look at is none of these to start, as I have seen this happen. Check the "earth" wire "normally white" IS connected through the plug and earthed, also it is earthed on the trailer. If you are handy with a multimeter, this is easy.
Without getting into too much detail, and I am not sure I could explain it well. When the "earth" or grounding wire is not connected, then you have a situation where the electricty will find its own way home, and can produce what you have described.