If your RV’s electrical system isn’t working properly, the first place you should look is the fuse box. Fuses protect your RV’s electrical system by blowing when there is too much current running through them. This prevents damage to the wiring and other RV parts, mainly the electrical components. If you think a fuse might be blown, it’s important to test it before replacing it. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to do just that!
What Causes a Blown Fuse in my RV?
There are a few things that can cause a blown fuse in your RV:
- A short circuit: This happens when the current flowing through the fuse is greater than what it’s rated for. This can happen if you accidentally wire something incorrectly, or if there’s a problem with one of your electrical components.
- An overload: This happens when you try to draw more power than the fuse is rated for. This can happen if you have too many appliances plugged in at once, or if you’re using an appliance that draws a lot of power (like a hair dryer).
- A defective component: Sometimes, a faulty electrical component can cause a fuse to blow. This is usually the case with older RVs. You could be dealing with a bad fuse or some kind of wiring issue somewhere in the camper.
Where Are the Fuses Located in Your Camper?
The fuse box (or fuse panel) in your RV is usually located on the wall near the floor, just inside the door. If you can’t find it, check your owner’s manual. Once you’ve found the fuse box, open it up and take a look inside. You should see a bunch of fuses, each with a different amp rating.
Familiarize yourself with your fuse box before you take your first trip in your RV. It’s important to know where each fuse is located, what they look like, and how they are labeled in your fuse box. That way, if and when you have an issue, you know what to look for.
It’s also a good idea to keep a set of spare fuses on hand. No one wants to go looking for a fuse on a Sunday night while staying at a campground!
The easiest way to tell if a fuse is blown is to look at it. A blown fuse will usually have a dark or discolored band across the middle of it. If you can’t tell just by looking, you’ll need to test the voltage with a measurement device called a multimeter.
How to Test a Blown Fuse in Your RV
When a fuse blows, the first step is to identify which fuse is blown. You can do this by looking at the labels on the fuse box, or by consulting your trailer’s owner’s manual.
Turn off the power to the fuse box. (In other words, unplug your RV.) You will also need to isolate your battery by switching it off or removing the leads. Check your owner’s manual to know how to do this.
Then, remove the fuse you think is blown. Once you’ve found the blown fuse, you’ll need to test it to make sure it’s actually blown. The best way to test a fuse is with a multimeter.
First, set the multimeter to the “ohm” setting. Then, touch one of the leads to one end of the fuse legs, and the other lead to the other leg.
You want the reading on the multimeter to be as low as possible. It may read “0.2” or a similar number. If the reading is low, your fuse is good.
On the other end of the meter, you will see an “OL” which means “out of limits.” If the reading is “OL,” the fuse is blown and needs to be replaced.
How to Replace a Blown Fuse in Your RV
Once you’ve confirmed that a fuse is blown, you’ll need to replace it with a new one of the same amperage value. This fix is very important! Putting in the wrong fuse could cause a fire.
When you have inserted the new fuse, turn on the power and test your RV’s electrical system to make sure everything is working properly.
What if the Problem is Not a Blown Fuse?
If your electrical issue is from a power outlet that uses 120v, the problem is not a fuse. It’s an issue with a breaker.
The good news is that the breakers are similar to the ones found in your house, and it’s very easy to troubleshoot them.
The first thing you should do is check to see if the breaker has been tripped. If the breaker hasn’t been tripped, then the problem may be with whatever you plugged into the outlet.
But if the breaker has been tripped, simply reset it and see if that solves the problem. If it doesn’t, you may have a more serious issue and will need to consult an electrician.
RV Fuse Maintenance
The best way to avoid blown fuses is to practice proper RV fuse maintenance. This means not overloading your electrical system, and being mindful of how much power you’re using at any given time.
You should also check your fuses regularly, even if you’re not having any problems. Check your fuses before you take a long trip in your motorhome. This way, you can catch a blown fuse before it causes any damage.
Replacing a blown fuse is a simple process that anyone can do. By being proactive and familiarizing yourself with your RV’s electrical system, you can avoid blown fuses altogether. But if you do end up with a blown fuse, now you know how to replace it! (p.s. If you want to learn ALL about your camper’s electrical system, we have a great post right here that lays it all out!)
