Electrical wire with open neutral

[mmilburne]

I have a 2018 Keystone Cougar 359MBI. At the end of last season, I lost power to two outlets on the kitchen slideout serving the TV and the other located under the microwave (what we use as the coffee pot outlet).

While troubleshooting, I found that behind the fireplace, where the line comes into the slideout, there is an open neutral somewhere between the breaker panel and the wiring entering the slide from underneath. I’m having difficulty tracing the circuit beyond the slideout, as I do not see the corresponding wire terminating directly in the breaker panel, which suggests it may be tied into another circuit. No other outlets or lighting are affected. Would anyone know where this wire goes, or does it tie into another circuit? Would there be a hidden junction box in my underbelly? I truly don't know why you don't get a wiring diagram when you purchase an RV.

 

[Kirk]

I found that behind the fireplace, where the line comes into the slideout, there is an open neutral somewhere between the breaker panel and the wiring entering the slide from underneath.

If you turn off the circuit breaker that supplies the outlets involved, that will identify any other outlets on that same circuit. Since the problem is in the slide, I would examine the wire harness that flexes as you move the slide in and out as that is probably where the problem is located.

 

[mmilburne]

Thanks Kirk,

Tracing the wire:
1. Leaves through the slide out floor using SOOW cable. Goes up into the belly of the RV
2. No SOOW 14/2 cable entering the panel box. (only Romex coming into the panel)

This would indicate that there is a junction box somewhere or some other tie-in.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Yes, certainly a box involved somewhere, but the junction could be in its own box (junction box) or an outlet box earlier in the circuit (daisy chained outlets. Shut off breakers while testing for 120v in the slide until you identify the feed breaker and associated outlets (see Kirk's reply). Then see if that SOOW goes to one of those other outlets.
If there is a separate junction box, they are supposed to be accessible, i.e. not buried under the floor without an access panel. Not always obvious, but somewhere.

 

[mmilburne]

Thanks everyone, for the assistance

 

[Tom]

If there is a separate junction box, they are supposed to be accessible, i.e. not buried under the floor without an access panel. Not always obvious, but somewhere.

During some prior troubleshooting, on our Monaco DP I found a 110V junction box under the "floor" of a lower cabinet in a slideout. Had to work on getting it up to confirm the junction box was under there.

I later needed access to a box to hook up an additional receptacle in that slideout, and now knew where/how to access one.

 

[mmilburne]

Well, good news, after disassembling my 5th wheel, I found the bad connection. Next to the sofa are two end tables that have no access unless you remove the sofa. Once i opened it up I found the bad connection and replaced it.

If RV companies want to help the consumer, they should give the location of all connection points.

 

[John From Detroit]

If RV companies want to help the consumer, they should give the location of all connection points.

Yup in my other hobby (Ham radio) I generally have schematics of my hardware on my nard drive.
OR at the very least a full connection diagram.

One piece of gear well the model I have one cable/jack feeds both power and control.. This I did not like. So I made a slight mod (Having the connection diagram)

Now one cable feeds power (The origial) with the control leads taped off with heat shrink.


Control comes in via a small jack. (With the radio I'm using)

IF I get my OTHER radio workign.. Different cyberplaces the power and plugs direct into the radio handling both.


Dang thing works right good.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

During some prior troubleshooting, on our Monaco DP I found a 110V junction box under the "floor" of a lower cabinet in a slideout. Had to work on getting it up to confirm the junction box was under there.

Yeah, all too common. Removing a cabinet or a some other fixed object is considered "accessible" as long as only basic hand tools are needed, e.g. a common screwdriver or wrench. I had a JB behind a false back in an upper cabinet which I found only when I realized one side of the cabinet wasn't as deep as the other. As mmilburn says in post #7, the issue for the handyman-owner is knowing where to look rather than the ease of access.

 

[Kirk]

If RV companies want to help the consumer, they should give the location of all connection points.

When that information is available, it is typically only available to dealer service departments and often, not even to them. I have found that it isn't always the same in every RV of the same make & model.

 

[gwinger]

Junction boxes that are hidden is against all electrical codes.
They can be behind an easily removed access panel, but the panel should be identified.

 

[Primerump]

Junction boxes that are hidden is against all electrical codes.
They can be behind an easily removed access panel, but the panel should be identified.

we are talking RV here, there are for all intents and purposes, NO codes to speak of.. LOL

 

[gwinger]

we are talking RV here, there are for all intents and purposes, NO codes to speak of.. LOL

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

we are talking RV here, there are for all intents and purposes, NO codes to speak of.. LOL

Oh there are codes and they are derived from the NEC and NFPA national standards. But the RV manufacturers pretty much do their own code interpretation and compliance checks, with nominal oversight from the RVIA (which is, afterall, their trade organization). So there occasionally are some liberties taken...

 

[gwinger]

Not just liberties, more like coverups. Out of site, out of mind.
And let the owner deal with it!

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

And let the owner deal with it!

Yeap!

 

[CharlesinGA]

If you want wiring diagrams and installation drawings and wires with identifiers on them, buy a Winnebago motor home. Free and online wiring, plumbing and coach illustrated parts diagrams.

 

[Seilerbird]

If you rely on schematics or wiring diagrams to find a junction box then you are not a very good electrician.

 

[John From Detroit]

If you rely on schematics or wiring diagrams to find a junction box then you are not a very good electrician.

Well the schematic or diagram should show the existance of the box.. May suggest where to look
(I know the diagrams for my jeep show the wrong place to look for a bunch of stuff.. Note WRONG place) But the old Tick Tracker finds 'em every time. (Cable tracker tool)

 

[CharlesinGA]

Someone on a forum one time had a Winnebago motor home, and was looking for a relay. They knew it existed but no idea where. I looked it up and found it was located INSIDE a stub wall behind the slide out. I showed them the electric components install drawing. Sure enough they pulled off some of the wall panel and it was nestled in there by itself.

So yes, the drawings make fast work of a job sometimes.

Charles