Odd electrical issue

[scottc48]

2023 hideout 181bh…no power to the stove, stove exhaust fan, light above the sink which is next to the stove, the light for each bunk, both bathroom lights and the bathroom exhaust fan. All other lights work besides the ones listed. Gfci isn’t tripped, have power to all the outlets, all fuses are good. I’ve pulled all the lights that aren’t working and can’t find anything wrong. These all must be daisy chained together but I can’t find where the power comes in to chase down the issue. Any advice?

 

[flybouy]

Welcome to the forum. Everything you listed that's not working are powered by 12vdc so no need to look at the breakers. Question, are you connected to shore power? Do you have a battery disconnect switch and is it in the on position?

 

[scottc48]

Welcome to the forum. Everything you listed that's not working are powered by 12vdc so no need to look at the breakers. Question, are you connected to shore power? Do you have a battery disconnect switch and is it in the on position?

Yes it is hooked up to shore power, and the switch is on. All other interior lights work besides the ones I listed.

 

[flybouy]

I would start pulling fuses and confirming that they are good with a multimeter. Then after re-inserting the fuses. If it still doesn't work then check the wire connections at the 12vdc panel. Then check for voltage at the non working light that are physically the closest to the fuse panel.

 

[scottc48]

I would start pulling fuses and confirming that they are good with a multimeter. Then after re-inserting the fuses. If it still doesn't work then check the wire connections at the 12vdc panel. Then check for voltage at the non working light that are physically the closest to the fuse panel.

I have a bunch of fuses, think I’ll just replace them one at a time and trying it. Checked voltage at the non working lights and there isn’t anything.

 

[scottc48]

I read somewhere th

I would start pulling fuses and confirming that they are good with a multimeter. Then after re-inserting the fuses. If it still doesn't work then check the wire connections at the 12vdc panel. Then check for voltage at the non working light that are physically the closest to the fuse panel.

I’ve been doing a lot of research, since all these lights are run in parallel and half of them still work. Wouldn’t it be a bad connection on one of the lights that still works going to one of the lights that doesn’t?

 

[JRTJH]

I read somewhere th

I’ve been doing a lot of research, since all these lights are run in parallel and half of them still work. Wouldn’t it be a bad connection on one of the lights that still works going to one of the lights that doesn’t?

It "could be" that or it could be something else like two circuits and one not working. Usually "all the lights" are not on the same 12 VDC circuit and usually they are wired by "zones". Seldom are bathroom vent fans wired to galley overhead lights, although in some smaller trailers that might occur. I'd suspect a 12VDC distribution issue in or around the power distribution panel. As a note, the GFCI circuit is not a part of the 12VDC system. The GFCI only protects the 120VAC circuits, ROMEX and outlets.

 

[scottc48]

It "could be" that or it could be something else like two circuits and one not working. Usually "all the lights" are not on the same 12 VDC circuit and usually they are wired by "zones". Seldom are bathroom vent fans wired to galley overhead lights, although in some smaller trailers that might occur. I'd suspect a 12VDC distribution issue in or around the power distribution panel. As a note, the GFCI circuit is not a part of the 12VDC system. The GFCI only protects the 120VAC circuits, ROMEX and outlets.

Yeah this might be a little over my head, I’ve checked all the connections at the lights and I’ve pulled the stove up and checked those connections but still don’t have power. Looked behind the interior light switch and everything seems to be ok.

 

[chuckster57]

What are you using to check the connections?

I have a test light that also buzzes and a 120v plug with a long pigtail wire on the ground. I can plug the plug into any outlet and connect my test light to the pigtail since ALL grounds are connected.

 

[Eman85]

A wiring schematic would be nice, but I don't know if one exists. When you check fuses physically looking at them might not tell the whole tale. I'd want to check to see if each 12v fuse has power to it and through it. If you suspect a bad connection at a light start dropping the lights and check power and ground at each one. Don't forget the electricity has to return home, most don't check grounds at each light. Using a common ground might fool you if you find power.

 

[scottc48]

Well I found the issue finally, just when I was about to throw in the towel. This connection here was almost ready to fall out of the connector, the pic is after I barely pulled on it. These wires run through the slide and over to the bathroom, well there’s a long spring under the slide that the manufacturer zip tied these wires to. Every time the slide was extended and pulled back in it was pulling these wires tight enough you could have played the guitar with them. New connectors and re-routed the wires to allow some more slack and she’s good as new. Thanks for all the input everyone!