I'm afraid rodents have invaded my 45' 5th wheel and damaged the wiring in the basement resulting in total loss of shore power. The immediate problem for me is how to access the basement to inspect and repair the damage. There's a single panel from the front of the garage to the nose penetrated and sealed by the drain lines, sewer pipes, brake wires, and LP hose.
Total power loss
- Thread starter Cowboy1
- Start date
wdk450
Well-known member
Have you taken a look at the SIZE of the 50 amp power cable you plug into the park outlet? I would think it would take a beaver to chew on that enough to cause a conductor to break. If you have a cord reel that has been a very frequently reported cause of your type of problem over the years, with the contacts between the cord drum and the immobile casing going bad.
The shore power cable from the pedestal is not damaged and has an indicator that shows power available at the RV plug-in. I've also verified with a multimeter. Also, the cable from the receptacle under the RV is intact to the point that it disappears into the sealed basement.
I need to access the undercarriage where the ATS and inverter are without disturbing the utilities that penitrate the cover.
I need to access the undercarriage where the ATS and inverter are without disturbing the utilities that penitrate the cover.
taskswap
Well-known member
Look for panels that are removable but don't look it, particularly carpet-covered ones. The screws that hold them on are often buried in the carpet and hard to find without a sharp eye or magnet. Look especially in the basement area close to your circuit breaker / power center panel. Since these aren't regular-service items, RV makers usually don't bother with nice, hinged/latched access panels. You usually need to unscrew them to get them off. This cable is very thick and ugly so it's almost never routed through the living space. It'll probably go from your shower power port/reel down into the undercarriage and then back up into the basement very close to your breaker panel.
Side note: this can be a popular mod/hack to get a bit more storage space. They usually put these panels wherever it's quick/easy to install. Sometimes there's several feet of extra room back there...
Be prepared. It can be a real mess back there. Here's ours. It's a little hard to see because it wasn't what I was focusing on, but you can just about make out the 50A shore power feed here. It's not the black wire to the charger (silver box, center left). In the first photo, focus on the closest flex duct just hanging there. Just below it is a very thick black cable that comes up out of the undercarriage along with a half-dozen 14ga (white) romex. It curves to the right under that duct and then is routed into the back of the breaker panel.
I didn't pay close attention to it but I would guess it's 6-3 - about as thick as your thumb. (Thinner than the shore power cable itself, which has a much thicker jacket for protection and is also stranded, which makes it bulkier.)
If you're still having trouble finding it, (with the power off, obviously) remove the four screws holding your breaker panel in place. It should pull out with about 20lb of force - this IS a service item, so there will be enough wire loops to allow it to come out about a foot. You should be able to shine a flashlight back there and find the main feed line - it'll be the biggest cable there.
Side note: this can be a popular mod/hack to get a bit more storage space. They usually put these panels wherever it's quick/easy to install. Sometimes there's several feet of extra room back there...
Be prepared. It can be a real mess back there. Here's ours. It's a little hard to see because it wasn't what I was focusing on, but you can just about make out the 50A shore power feed here. It's not the black wire to the charger (silver box, center left). In the first photo, focus on the closest flex duct just hanging there. Just below it is a very thick black cable that comes up out of the undercarriage along with a half-dozen 14ga (white) romex. It curves to the right under that duct and then is routed into the back of the breaker panel.
I didn't pay close attention to it but I would guess it's 6-3 - about as thick as your thumb. (Thinner than the shore power cable itself, which has a much thicker jacket for protection and is also stranded, which makes it bulkier.)
If you're still having trouble finding it, (with the power off, obviously) remove the four screws holding your breaker panel in place. It should pull out with about 20lb of force - this IS a service item, so there will be enough wire loops to allow it to come out about a foot. You should be able to shine a flashlight back there and find the main feed line - it'll be the biggest cable there.
While I appreciate the responses thus far, I have obviously failed to clearly describe my goal.
I need to access the undercarriage area where I believe the ATS and inverter are located. When shore power breaker is engaged I cannot hear the ATS activate as I could when everything worked. I fear simplify removing the fasteners on the 25' x 8' panel will damage the brake wires and the plumbing penitrations will not allow the panel to fall completely out of the way.
I need to access the undercarriage area where I believe the ATS and inverter are located. When shore power breaker is engaged I cannot hear the ATS activate as I could when everything worked. I fear simplify removing the fasteners on the 25' x 8' panel will damage the brake wires and the plumbing penitrations will not allow the panel to fall completely out of the way.
david-steph2018
Well-known member
Cowboy1, what rig do you have?
travelin2
Pennsylvania Chapter Leaders-retired
wdk450
Well-known member
My rig is an old (2008) build, but has the rubber jacket large power cord from the power inlet receptacle to the transfer switch, not Romex. Also this power cord is 4 large conductors inside for 2 phase 50 amp service, not the 3 conductors we are used to for household 120 volt, single phase stuff.
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