12 volt short

[Daryles]

Battery Disconnect Switch.
The labeling of this Switch is confusing.
Ignore the word "Disconnect"
Read it as "BATTERY ON" or "BATTERY OFF"
When the battery is connected "ON", the key will not come out.
When the battery is "OFF", the key will come out.
Be aware it really does not Disconnect everything. You will still have some parasitic drains such as the propane detector, CO and smoke detectors etc. Remove the negative battery post if you really want to Disconnect the battery.

[jann]

Yes sir, that’s how mine is NOW! It’s very confusing.

Thanks

[jann]

Bill everything now is showing 12.35 at all the 12 volt hot wires. Even at batteries and the main ShutOff with the big cables and the 2 50amp and 80 amp circuit breakers.

And the fan on the converter actually ran!

Thanks

[jann]

Daryl forgot to tell you, as soon as I unhooked the orange wire from 12 volt the red light (with out the fuse) went out.

Traced orange wire as far as I can behind panel and it has a white wire with it also that goes to other wires.

I guess when I find out for sure it’s the short ( pretty certain it is) I’ll just cut it back as far as I can and seal the end of it.

Thanks again

[BB_TX]

Good to hear. One problem down at no costs other than a little frustration. That switch has long been a point of confusion.

Now on to the real problem. At least that one is not a major issue. I would pull the switch panel and see if that orange wire is there.

[jann]

Yes I’m going to try to get it all figured out.

I really appreciate all your help Bill! Some of this stuff I am not too sure about. Hoping to get it all straightened out.

Thanks again!

Hope I can repay you sometime.

[Daryles]

I wouldn't cut off the wire just yet.
Go to the other end of it behind the control panel. You never know, there is a MESS of wiring behind there. The short might be at that end.

[BB_TX]

Keep us posted. A problem solved helps everyone.

[jann]

Originally Posted by BB_TX

Keep us posted. A problem solved helps everyone.

I will definitely do that……..

Have some other things I have to get to work on also. I’ll be happy when and IF I ever get caught up. LOL. It never ends!

Yeah I’m not cutting any wires. Have to be 100% positive before doing that.

Thanks again guys!

[Camp-a-Palooza]

So now everything is working again???

I don't know if I missed something along the way but according to Keystones wire color chart a 14 ga orange runs the awning lights and an 18 ga orange wire runs water heater electrical signal. So if you disconnected an orange wire, something still shouldn't be working???

[OShag]

Jann,

I had the same problem on our 3120RL. Here's the link yo my post. I got a lot of advice on where to check. Ultimately it was bad wire Crimping job from the factory. I had to pull all the Courtesy lights and over door light and re-secure the wires together. Has worked like a champ ever since. Good luck!

https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...ad.php?t=90557

Dave

[jkxtreme]

Since the fuse is blowing even though the switches are off, either there is a bare wire or something is connected to that circuit that is 'on' all the time. First thing to do is pull the fuse panel and make sure there are not bare wires or something across the poles. Next thing is, use your meter to check the ohms between the wire connected to the fuse and neutral. If you don't see bare wires or an obvious short you will need to crawl inside and trace the wires. If there is more than one wire on a terminal, disconnect them to see which wire is shorted.

[BB_TX]

Have you recently mounted anything to a nearby wall using long screws? You wouldn’t be the first to screw into a wire and create a short.

[rohrmann]

Originally Posted by jann

I really appreciate all you guys help………cause I’m NOT sure what the hell im doing!

Stupid question: Should the red key big end be up? I can turn the key up or down and it cannot be removed from either position.

Fully turned in one or the other direction, the key will come straight out, hopefully in the OFF position. You may have to turn it beyond where you think it should be, but it will pull out. When you get to that position where the key comes out, that is the OFF or really OPEN position where the battery is disconnected. You need the battery connected to get a charge and be able to power the 12 volt system, so it needs to be left in the closed position or ON.

[jann]

OShag thanks for the info.

More things I have to check. Busy right now with some other things, then I have to get back to this.

Thanks
Jack

[wed]

That’s a battery issue