Electrical Smell

[chrisstraka]

Hi everyone,

I has a strong "hot, electrical" smell intermittently yesterday and then again this morning so I checked out the inverter and converter. The converter feels warm, and the inverter does not. I disconnected from shore power and confirmed that the inverter is functioning. No sign of any charring of wires, etc. and the transfer switch also appears fine. No breakers or fuses are tripped.

After 2 hours, the smell lingers and converter is still warm. We had a space heater on this morning, and I reduced the overall load on the system.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

[pconroy]

Originally Posted by chrisstraka

Hi everyone,

I has a strong "hot, electrical" smell intermittently yesterday and then again this morning so I checked out the inverter and converter. The converter feels warm, and the inverter does not. I disconnected from shore power and confirmed that the inverter is functioning. No sign of any charring of wires, etc. and the transfer switch also appears fine. No breakers or fuses are tripped.

After 2 hours, the smell lingers and converter is still warm. We had a space heater on this morning, and I reduced the overall load on the system.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

My two cents is keep digging. Something is charring.


Did you pop the top off the transfer switch?


That was the eventual source of our burning smell. The lug connectors they used to connect the wires inside of the ATS failed, and it produced a lot of heat.


Melted stuff that's not supposed to melt.


I'm not going to dismiss that smell again. I think we 'ducked a bullet'. I also tossed in a dedicated smoke alarm into that rat's nest of wiring under the bed.

[chrisstraka]

Thanks for the quick reply.

Transfer switch is all good. The smell seems to be coming from near the converter which is at the front near the breakers and fuses. I suppose the converter can fail or maybe a capacitor?

Good advice on the smoke detector!

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by chrisstraka

Thanks for the quick reply.

Transfer switch is all good. The smell seems to be coming from near the converter which is at the front near the breakers and fuses. I suppose the converter can fail or maybe a capacitor?

Good advice on the smoke detector!

With both the AC and DC power disconnected. I recommend pulling the covers from the ATS, the main circuit panel. Common issue is a loose wire connection in those two locations. The main circuit panel most likely will need to be pulled from the wall to see all the connections behind it. When it is pulled out, tighten all the wire lugs.

[chrisstraka]

Will do...thanks. The smell seems to center around the connections to the fuses and the converter. I checked all of the connections and they appear to be clean. Can the smell come from either the 120v or the 12v systems? Can I isolate it to one of the two or are they combined to a point where that is pointless?

[mkassab]

Electrical "burn" smell is the same regardless of voltage, amperage or AC/DC... so all needs checked.

Mark

[chrisstraka]

Originally Posted by mkassab

Electrical "burn" smell is the same regardless of voltage, amperage or AC/DC... so all needs checked.

Mark

Excellent...thanks.

I disconnected AC and DC and tightened all of the connections on the ATS and circuit breakers. Batteries show 12.2V alone and 13.6V when shore power is connected, so I think that the converter is operating. Can't see evidence of a burn anywhere.

Anything else? Thanks in advance!

[Camper_bob]

Check any junctions where shore or generator power enter the coach. I've had both the J-box at the shore power connection AND the ATS char wires. Both were the result of loose connections; loose connections create resistance, high load over that resistance creates heat, heat creates fire.

I was lucky I didn't start a fire in BOTH situations.

[chrisstraka]

Thanks Bob. Do you think a couple of loose connections to the fuse panel could also produce the smell for the same reason? I've checked the ATS several times and can't find anything loose.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by chrisstraka

Thanks Bob. Do you think a couple of loose connections to the fuse panel could also produce the smell for the same reason? I've checked the ATS several times and can't find anything loose.

Yup.

Though on the 12V side, I wouldn't expect it to be as big an issue? But I have seen some melted 12V wiring (in my old Jeep).

Connections on the back of the fuse and breaker panels are notorious weak points for Jayco assembly (or really any electrical connections). Rattling down the road in an earthquake doesn't help matters either.

[chrisstraka]

Great! Checking connections needs to be a part of monthly maintenance.

[chrisstraka]

Originally Posted by chrisstraka

Great! Checking connections needs to be a part of monthly maintenance.

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

Yup.

Though on the 12V side, I wouldn't expect it to be as big an issue? But I have seen some melted 12V wiring (in my old Jeep).

Connections on the back of the fuse and breaker panels are notorious weak points for Jayco assembly (or really any electrical connections). Rattling down the road in an earthquake doesn't help matters either.

So the smell has definitely dissipated, but only having found that one loose 12v connection, I'm just not confident that solved the problem.

Since we're FT, considering finding a hotel until we can get it looked at. Overreacting or being prudent?

The service techs I've talked to today won't say it's safe or not...I don't expect them to. What does anyone's experience say? Thanks again in advance.

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by chrisstraka

Excellent...thanks.

I disconnected AC and DC and tightened all of the connections on the ATS and circuit breakers. Batteries show 12.2V alone and 13.6V when shore power is connected, so I think that the converter is operating. Can't see evidence of a burn anywhere.

Anything else? Thanks in advance!

How long has the coach been connected to shore power? 12.2V is very weak, if they have been connected for 12+ hours to shore power.

I know my batteries were dying they put out a smell (sulfur small???). The converter was working hard to putting out a lot of amps to try to charge the dead battery.

If 12.2 V is correct, might try disconnecting the battery (negative lead), and see if your smell disappears. You can still stay connected to shore power, just make sure the power leads (positive) is in a safe spot not to ground out to the frame.

[pconroy]

Originally Posted by chrisstraka

Overreacting or being prudent?

That's a good question. I tend to underreact, so I'd probably not stay in the hotel after checking everything as thoroughly as you did.


An extra smoke detector and another fire extinguisher would be prudent on my list. Familiarize yourself with the emergency exits, review the plan.


If the smell has dissipated like you said, I'd probably stay in the coach - after the additional detector and extinguisher were in place.



Good luck!!

[chrisstraka]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

How long has the coach been connected to shore power? 12.2V is very weak, if they have been connected for 12+ hours to shore power.

I know my batteries were dying they put out a smell (sulfur small???). The converter was working hard to putting out a lot of amps to try to charge the dead battery.

If 12.2 V is correct, might try disconnecting the battery (negative lead), and see if your smell disappears. You can still stay connected to shore power, just make sure the power leads (positive) is in a safe spot not to ground out to the frame.

Thanks...can I just turn off the converter? It's not a sulfur smell, def an electrical one...

[chrisstraka]

Originally Posted by pconroy

That's a good question. I tend to underreact, so I'd probably not stay in the hotel after checking everything as thoroughly as you did.


An extra smoke detector and another fire extinguisher would be prudent on my list. Familiarize yourself with the emergency exits, review the plan.


If the smell has dissipated like you said, I'd probably stay in the coach - after the additional detector and extinguisher were in place.



Good luck!!

Thanks. Picked up the items already!!

[chrisstraka]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

How long has the coach been connected to shore power? 12.2V is very weak, if they have been connected for 12+ hours to shore power.

I know my batteries were dying they put out a smell (sulfur small???). The converter was working hard to putting out a lot of amps to try to charge the dead battery.

If 12.2 V is correct, might try disconnecting the battery (negative lead), and see if your smell disappears. You can still stay connected to shore power, just make sure the power leads (positive) is in a safe spot not to ground out to the frame.

So, the converter definitely smells more than the wiring, etc. Maybe a relay or capacitor inside?

What effect will throwing the breaker on the converter have on the overall system?

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by chrisstraka

So, the converter definitely smells more than the wiring, etc. Maybe a relay or capacitor inside?

What effect will throwing the breaker on the converter have on the overall system?

No power to keep the battery charged. If the battery is good, it will work for a few days or weeks, pending on what your running or parasite power drains.

If the battery is bad/weak, you will loose all your 12 volt features fairly quickly.

[chrisstraka]

Thanks much...really appreciate the info today!

[Vicr]

The best way to find the problem(s) is to rent a thermal imaging camera and look for “hot spots”.