Found it - Don't put wiring in Pinbox EVER!

[bncinwv]

After thinking about this, I do somewhat like Charlie. I always coil the cord and the plug is on top when it all is placed in the pinbox. I do like the cover idea that has been mentioned. What would be nice if there was some kind of round rubber cover that actually attached via a lanyard or something to the end of the cord. Time to do some internet searching I guess, unless someone can come up with something that is they know is available. My first thoughts is that this ought to be an easy mod for the ingenious folks here on the MOC. Perhaps something like a tennis ball cut to allow the end of the cord to go in it and a small bungee to attach the tennis ball to the end of the cord??? Let's go MOC, get the brainpower energized here and see what can be invented!!!
Bingo

[SlickWillie]

This looks pretty good to me. http://www.plugguardstore.com/

[8e3k0]

Have had this happen in other situations with trailers that are live on the hot wire. We use the pin box but coil the cord in a way that the plug always faces out and away from any metal parts to prevent a ground for the hot contact. Yes, a rubber cap would be nice, similar to the block heater cord cover on the automotive side.

[bncinwv]

That definitely beats a tennis ball!! Looks like the price is reasonable if it is as shown on their site for around $10.95. I looked on their site listing for retail outlets and cannot find the item. Wonder where they can be had??
Bingo

[Bill and Lisa]

JAYBIRD.
glad you were able to identify your problem and can now stop tormenting yourself over trying to replace your CB on your own. Murphy chose that as a good time to throw you a curve ball but it was nothing you did wrong on your replacement job. Thank God you were working on it and noticed the overheat or these threads would have been on a very different topic.

[clarkandsheila]

Jaybird,
Glad you found it. Although I don't like tossing money away unnecessarily, I think I'd replace that plug. The heat may have caused the metal to loose it's ability to hold tension so you will now get a poor charge. Loose connections also generate heat and problems could continue. It may also be worth replacing the cord , if when you cut back the insulation it appears to have suffered any damage. There could be melted insulation inside that you can' t see.

I read ablut this being a problem on the MOC site and bought a recptacle and a mounting bracket which I mounted externally, on the side of the pin box. I now just push the plug into the receptacle so no wy can it ground.

Thank you MOC.

[Waynem]

How about - One of those clear plastic hoses that they have in the plumbing department of hardware stores. I believe I have seen some with the diameter of that plug. Cut one to the right length, insert a piece of cardboard to about 3/4-1 inch fro one end. fill the short side with RTV, let dry, trim. Now just slip the long end over the plug.

I'm just thinking out loud.

[Waynem]

Still just thinking out loud.

Maybe a heavy duty switch, some where convenient, that allows for the power to that plug to be turned off. One MUST remember to turn it back n before traveling.

[pbahlin]

I've got a Moryde box and took a look inside with a flashlight. There's one self tapping screw poking through the steel. The irony is that this screw is the screw that mounts the safety breakaway switch. Go figure! Fortunately, there's also a web about 10 inches into the box that comes down like a divider exactly in the middle of the box. If you've got this pinbox, the likely hood of getting the coiled lead past the web is near zero.

You know what's really strange is that you can go to any RV sales lot in the country and find the 'experts' shoving the cord into the pinbox.

Having said all that, I like the idea of the plug guard and will get one. I'm thinking that it would be a good place to smear some contact grease. That way, every time you plug into the dummy plug you lube your contacts and if you store it there for an extended stay it will inhibit corrosion.

George you had to be extremely 'lucky' to have the correct contact hit that screw AND stay there long enough to do any damage. You should run out and get a Power Ball ticket. The odds are about the same.

[SlickWillie]

I ordered my Plug Guard yesterday from Amazon.com. I noticed a couple on Ebay, and some on a site called Hitch finder. One reason I went ahead with the order was to protect the contacts from the elements.(Mine came out of the pinbox some time ago) I use Corrosion X HD on the plug, but it still tends to corrode in the salt air down here.

[illapah]

I use empty pill bottle that fits the end of the plug. Price is right.

[Bill-N-Donna]

If it’s not too late to throw my 2cents in here; I’ve always known about the hot wire in the pig-tail but the thought has never entered my mind about something like this happening. After reading this I simply took an extra female plug that was in the stick house tool box and placed it over the plug and re-inserted it back into the pin box. I have confidence that this will protect the plug from a meltdown such as we have seen here. To the original poster…Thanks for posting the problem!

[deadeyenevermisses]

"Plug-Guard" has 7-Way round, 6-Way round & 5/4 Way flat for $10.95 each plus $5.95 S & H for up to 3 units. No credit cards, M/O or Cashier's Check. Personal checks can take up to 10 days to clear. Order from: Doug Rhude, 22382 State Route 120, Elkhart, In. 46516. Phone 574-295-6640 Cell 574-536-3174, Fax 574-522-1600. this was in response to an email inquiry.

[jaybird]

Just to hopefully finish this two weeks of "Pain in the ??" i tried to replace the power cord to the truck from Monty-kingpin and finally realized that the 15 second zap in my wire system has sent the 5er to the dealer today. Totally fried the wires from the underbelly to the tail lights. I'm hoping I getaway with under $800. Wish me luck from a crazy-unlucky circumstance.

[SlickWillie]

Hmmm, I'm a little surprised that you would have damage past the point where the black wire is bundled with the lighting wires. When you mentioned a tail light coming on, I figured that bundle had all melted and welded together. That would include your brake wires. Oh well, I've seen strange things happen on 12VDC systems. Good luck.