Saved by the breaker.......... - Montana Owners Club

**Rondo** · 10-05-2009, 11:58 AM

On the way back from the Fall Rally we had a problem creep up on us and here's what happened. We settled in the the night, had dinner and set back to enjoy the evening. All of a sudden the lights went off the 12 volt lights took over. Went out to check the shoreline breaker-- all OK. As I walked back to the camper smelled the smell of burning plastic. Checked out the shoreline plug into the Monte- HOT! Shut off the shoreline breakers and pulled the plug on the Monte. Hard to get off but got off and looked-- it was showing signs that one of the connections being brown from burns. Took plug in and took apart. One of the wires and connections was "toast". It had separated from the screw connection and had burned it's way through the plastic marine plug. Great-- no shorepower and a thunderstorm moving into the area. Walked down to the CG office and talked to them. They didn't have a new plug or cord but an RV tech was just "across the cornfield" from the CG. Called him up and he was out on a call but would be there in an hour or so. He finally arrived about an hour and a half later, in the middle of the thunderstorm. He wanted to fix it then but we told him we could survive the night on DC and the propane so he took the cord with him and we all went to sleep. At 8:30 the next morning we have a knock at the door and it was the RV tech and he had repaired the cord, put a new marine plug on it and a cover over it to prevent any water from getting in and plugged it into the unit. Presented us with his bill, much lower than we expected, and we talked for nearly an hour or so. He's been in RV service for 20+ years and worked for one of the RV dealers before starting his own business. If you are ever in the Fair Oaks,IN area and need an RV tech, we highly recommend Dr. Bob's RV Service. Great guy, knows his way around the RV and repair of them quite well and he travels all over-- even as far as Elkhart and Goshen if need be.
Anyway, thanks to the main breaker in the Monte(surprised the shore power breaker did not trip first) we were saved from having to put out an RV fire and thanks to Bob we now have a safe cord to plug into the shorepower.

1Happycamper · 10-05-2009, 03:29 PM

I'm glad you were at the trailer when this happened and no one was hurt. Think I'll go check mine tomorrow.Sometimes you find the best rv tech's when you least expect it. Stay safe.

Bill

TLightning · 10-05-2009, 03:59 PM

It's a good idea to pull those covers off the plugs and check the connections. About 18 months ago we had the same thing happen only one of the AC lines connected to the neutral line. The result was half the normal voltage on one AC line and nearly double the AC voltage on the other. The good news was that we were in the camper and got all the power shut off.

On edit...no breakers tripped and, since the problem was 'inside' the surge guard, it was no help either.

lwcdg · 10-05-2009, 07:13 PM

What a small world, I use Dr. Bob for all of my needs including winterizing, and also checking roof, windows and all seals every year. After having a severe roof leak on another SOB. I have our rig gone over by a professional so I don't miss anything.

I've always been totally happy with his bills as they are fair and never out of line on pricing. He's a great guy too.
Glad your happy with his work,
Chuck

Bill-N-Donna · 10-06-2009, 01:20 AM

It’s good to hear stories like this!
I don't mean your problems just that there reasonable repair services available.

Lambchop · 10-06-2009, 02:39 AM

I had that happen to a SOB we owned a couple of years ago. It was my fault..I stuck the plug into the trailer in a hurry. I never turned the plug to lock it. We had the A/C running for a couple of days & that's all it took. Burned a hole right through the plug.
Now I make sure I turn & lock the plug!

Roy & Kay

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