1999 Coleman Taos wiring

[debecc]

Hi,

I recently bought a 1999 Coleman Taos, during the recent heat I guess a local colony of carpenter ants decided it as a good place to stay. Luckily i opened it up to replace the stretch cords and saw the damage. 2 quarter size holes in the canvas and alot of ants. Well it looks like they got into the roof and now the interior lights do not work. All other outlets and lights are ok. What is the best way to get to the wiring to see if they had chewed at any of it? Do these 2 interior lights chain together? (I assume yes since both aren't working)

If ANYONE could give some insight or advice on this situation, I would be extrememly grateful.

thanks

Deb

[tlhdoc]

First let me welcome you to PUT.  I doubt that the ants are the light problem.  There are several common things that could be causing your lights not to work.  First off there is a switch that cuts power to the lights when it isn't depressed.  In Coleman/Fleetwood trailers it is usually on the bottom half of the galley.  When you set the top of the galley down on the bottom section of the galley the switch gets depressed and the power can flow to the lights.  Make sure this switch is depressed.  It could be that the switch went bad too.  The second common thing that happens is that the wires going to the roof get unplugged.  On the outside of the camper, on the road side at the back corner, in the flap of material that covers the zipper connecting the bunkend tenting and the tenting on the box, wires run to the roof.  Check that the sides of this white plastic connector are connected together.  The third common thing that happens is that a fuse blows in the power convert.  Check that the 12 volt fuses are good.  Let me know if you find the problem.

[debecc]

Thanks for the Welcome!!

I checked the fuses and they are ok and also the plugs are connected on the outside of the pop up. I will check the switch when I get home. Would the electrical plugs work if that switch wasn't working? They seemed fine as well as the light outside. The ants are relentless and are still trying their best to make my popup their home.

I will look at the switch tonight thanks again!!

[tlhdoc]

Thanks for the Welcome!!
 
I checked the fuses and they are ok and also the plugs are connected on the outside of the pop up. I will check the switch when I get home. Would the electrical plugs work if that switch wasn't working? They seemed fine as well as the light outside. The ants are relentless and are still trying their best to make my popup their home.
 
I will look at the switch tonight thanks again!!

Yes the 110 volt outlets will work without the switch.  The switch only kills the 12 volt power (so your ceiling lights don't come on when popped down).

[AustinBoston]

The ants are relentless and are still trying their best to make my popup their home.

Ants are relentless.  I would start by closing up the camper with about 20 mothballs scattered about.  Eventually that should get rid of them.  The problem with moth balls is trying to get the mothball smell out of the camper afterwards.

You might try fumigating or just plain RAID, and plenty of it.  This would require that you clean the fabrics afterwards because they will be coated with insecticide.

Once ants have been inside, they are likely to be back.  Don't store things they like to eat (just about anything you like to eat) inside the camper.

Austin

[debecc]

Thanks for the checks! The switch wasn't closed all the way. The hose was pinched just enough so that the sink wasn't all the way down. Thanks soo much, it was driving me crazy trying to figure it out.
Ants are gone! and I'll be off Friday for the Berkshire's!!!!

Thank you again!

Deb