blowing fuses

[cjpoppin]

we went camping in Big Bear with full hook-ups for ten days and everynight we had to replace one of our fuses........We had no problem with the electric AC.  However the overhead lights(DC) would last for a few hours then the fuse would blow......The yellow light outside would not blow.......any ideas?  Or at $85.00 dollars an hour to look for the problem would you just buy some Lanterns and let it go?  I was hoping maybe the power was surging at the CG and this might be the problem?  Thanks for any help........carol

[tlhdoc]

I am guessing that it was a 12 volt fuse.  Since it was the same fuse every time, I would think you have a short in that line.  Try following the wires from the converter to the lights.  I know that you can't follow them all the way, because the wires will run in the ceiling.  Is there anything else on that circuit?  Water pump, 12 volt outlet, etc?

[cjpoppin]

"there anything else on that circuit? Water pump, 12 volt outlet, etc"..........No just the over head lights and our bunk end light/fans plug into them also.....I'll have my husband take a look and see if he can see anything pinched maybe we'll get lucky.....Thanks,carol

[chip]

I would also look for corroded connections--they can cause a voltage drop and a requisite increase in amperage to obtain the same power (wattage) level.

If he finds corrosion, simply cut the wire back to good copper (and inch or so) strip the insulator and reconnect.

[AustinBoston]

"there anything else on that circuit? Water pump, 12 volt outlet, etc"..........No just the over head lights and our bunk end light/fans plug into them also.....I'll have my husband take a look and see if he can see anything pinched maybe we'll get lucky.....Thanks,carol

There is a possibility that the problem is with one of the bunk end fan/lights.  It could be fine until it warms up.  Expansion of the wires causes them to move just enough to short - Pop! blown fuse.  If you don't find anything else wrong, try setting up and turning on the lights, but leave the bunk end fan/lights unplugged.

Austin

[wavery]

What amperage fuse is in there?

If the fuse is blowing while using both interior lights and fan, at the same time, the fuse may be a little light to handle the load.

By all means, check for a short and/or corrosion as mentioned in previous posts. IF everything looks good, you may need to use a larger fuse. However, if you just simply install a larger fuse and there is corrosion causing higher resistance, you may be asking for trouble. At the very least, you may find that your battery doesn't last as long. Worst case scenario, the corrosion could generate enough heat to melt something or even cause a fire.