Power cord reel switch - Montana Owners Club

Davkat · 10-02-2023, 02:10 PM

21 Montana Legacy 3121RL had a malfunctioned reel switch somehow got wet and reversed all the cord off the reel luckily while park. I tried turning off the batt disconnect and finding a fuse with no luck. I pulled the switch and cut the VDC+ to the switch. Had anyone had this happen and where is the fuse and anyone know why this would be wired around the batt disconnect switch.
Also after the switch dried out it worked properly.
Thanks Dave

**scottz** · 10-02-2023, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davkat

21 Montana Legacy 3121RL had a malfunctioned reel switch somehow got wet and reversed all the cord off the reel luckily while park. I tried turning off the batt disconnect and finding a fuse with no luck. I pulled the switch and cut the VDC+ to the switch. Had anyone had this happen and where is the fuse and anyone know why this would be wired around the batt disconnect switch.
Also after the switch dried out it worked properly.
Thanks Dave

Thread moved to maintenance section.

My '17 has an in line fuse holder in the battery compartment on the wire going directly back to the cord reel. It (and a few other things) does not go through the disconnect switch. No idea why they did it that way.

Davkat · 10-04-2023, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottz

Thread moved to maintenance section.

My '17 has an in line fuse holder in the battery compartment on the wire going directly back to the cord reel. It (and a few other things) does not go through the disconnect switch. No idea why they did it that way.

Scott, I found it right where you said and I labeled it. I found another inline fuse but don't have a clue where that one goes yet. Thanks for the help.

**scottz** · 10-04-2023, 11:10 AM

My 3160 and your 3120 are the same unit except the kitchen and dining slides are swapped; however, no guarantee on wiring since your unit is four years newer than mine. Actually, we have found units of the same year wired differently.

You probably have two more in-line fuse holders in the battery compartment. One for the interior propane detector (near the floor, probably on your island), the other going to the brake break-away switch. Neither of these devices should go through the battery disconnect.

Attached is a crude drawing I made of my OEM DC system before I ripped it all out; might give you some clues, but I know it is not entirely correct. I doubt you have as many batteries as I show, nor the 80A breaker going to the hydraulic pump.

Welcome to the forum. You will find a ton of knowledge here; whatever problems you might have, someone else has probably already gone through it and everyone is willing to help.

MandK · 10-04-2023, 11:53 AM

DavKat, just an fyi if you don’t already know, the battery disconnect switch does not shut down everything….Thus my post in your battery winterizing thread on installing the battery negative shut-off and my comment on not having to worry about anything (shorting out) when I’m not around. Just the way these things can be.

**scottz** · 10-04-2023, 12:03 PM

This is what my battery compartment looks like now; not as nice as some, but a lot better than OEM.

Davkat · 10-04-2023, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottz

This is what my battery compartment looks like now; not as nice as some, but a lot better than OEM.

Now that's how a panel should look like.
Nice job....

fatcatzzz · 10-04-2023, 02:42 PM

So, does anyone know where to purchase a new switch? Mine is starting to act up. I tried Amazon, etrailer, trekwood, got to be somewhere besides ebay.

**scottz** · 10-04-2023, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatcatzzz

So, does anyone know where to purchase a new switch? Mine is starting to act up. I tried Amazon, etrailer, trekwood, got to be somewhere besides ebay.

This might work.

https://www.boatandrvaccessories.com...tch-kit-mh2021

https://www.boatandrvaccessories.com...trc-rv2100-kit

Oh, just noticed "sold out"

**scottz** · 10-04-2023, 08:13 PM

Look at this

https://rvpartssource.com/marine-swi...uthwire-mh3031

Davkat · 10-04-2023, 09:05 PM

This issue recently happened to me on my 3121RL Legacy so just FYI. I asked Southwire tech support if they offer a waterproof switch for my cord reel and they said no. Recently I had an issue with my cord reel reversing uncontrollably and found the switch got wet and shorted to the reel motor making it reverse. My issue with this is (1) why is this switch on the outside of my RV not waterproof and under my hot water tank drain. (2) luckily I was at home when the cord reel went crazy reversing all the cord off the reel before I snipped the power wire to the switch, couldn't locate the fuse.. If this would have happened while on the road...I don't even want to think about it what could have happened with the power cord dragging in front of the tires. Just beware Legacy owners.

Sparatacus · 10-04-2023, 10:10 PM

Yeah, you would think why and what was they thinking, so can you replace with another switch that's more waterproof?

fatcatzzz · 10-05-2023, 07:35 AM

Thanks

Davkat · 10-05-2023, 12:45 PM

This is what came on my Montana and I'm told is not waterproof.

Traveling Many Roads · 10-08-2023, 06:38 PM

I have a 3123 RL My power cord reel has been a nightmare chain constantly coming off sprockets now I have a dead short is this a common problem

Davkat · 10-09-2023, 05:21 PM

What year is your unit, mine is a 21 we recently purchased that was used only 4-5 times so very lightly used. I hope the cord reel doesn't become a headache other than the switch issue I had (just don't get it wet).

Mikendebbie · 10-10-2023, 06:06 AM

Davkat - I have had no issues with my cord reel or the switch and my unit lived outside for the first 4 years. It has lived under cover for the past year. Don’t stay up late worrying about your cord reel.

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