Check Dutchmen's electrical connections - Dutchmen Owners
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Dutchmen Owners > Dutchmen Technical | Towing, Maintenance and Repairs > Electrical, Batteries, Charging and Electronics
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 06-02-2016, 07:25 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
donzinger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Memphis
Posts: 1,616
Michigan
Check Dutchmen's electrical connections

A couple of weeks ago, I experienced my first slide issues - relays click and no movement. Found that almost every single crimp connection was loose. Replaced them all and all was well. Until last weekend. When we arrived at the campground, the Level Up system starting having intermittent issues. Would just stop when raising camper off the truck and would just stop when levelling. Got her level after several attempts and enjoyed the weekend. Went to come home and again jacks would stop working and only heard relays clicking. Got home. Yesterday went out to investigate. Nothing - Level Up panel shut off but could faintly read "Low Voltage". started poking around with a meter and found the lower circuit breaker on the bus bar had been loose for some time and had been arcing until it finally gave up the ghost. Replaced, check all 3/8" nut connections and placed back up nuts on them.

Also, these 50 Amp breakers appear difficult to find round here - not one major RV dealer had them, AutoZone only carries up to a 40 Amp. A local "mom & pop" camper parts place had them in stock. Got 4! Also AutoZone wanted $24.99 to order one - Palco had them in stock for $3.99
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	20160601 Hyd Pump Breaker.jpg
Views:	298
Size:	27.3 KB
ID:	3348  
__________________

__________________
2019 Ram 3500 Limited w/ Max Tow pkg
2005 Cardinal 33LX
2014-3950, Full Paint, 17.5" tires, 370W solar, 3100W Magnum inverter w/ AGS, 7500w diesel generator, Micro-Air Easy Start 364 (x3) SOLD!
donzinger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2016, 10:35 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
thompwil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Lancaster
Posts: 263
Pennsylvania
Yep, I found a frightening condition behind the control panel when I went to add wall switches to control the kitchen lights without having to open the panel. The connections were not crimped properly, loose and barely staying in the connectors. Even the jumpers for the power were not crimped right. To make matters worse the wire bundle is not supported at all. The weight is just hanging there. I replaced nearly all the spade connectors making a simple mod project a major PITA. That level of shoddy craftsmanship would have earned disciplinary action for anyone on my maintenance crew. Yet that seems to be acceptable for RV manufacturers.
__________________

__________________

2015 Voltage 3305, Gone for Good !
2014 Ram 3500 dually, Aisin, Gone but not Forgotten.
2018 Winnebago Sunstar 32YE
thompwil is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2016, 01:49 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Mole's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Orangeburg
Posts: 87
South Carolina
Quote:
Originally Posted by thompwil View Post
Yep, I found a frightening condition behind the control panel when I went to add wall switches to control the kitchen lights without having to open the panel. The connections were not crimped properly, loose and barely staying in the connectors. Even the jumpers for the power were not crimped right. To make matters worse the wire bundle is not supported at all. The weight is just hanging there. I replaced nearly all the spade connectors making a simple mod project a major PITA. That level of shoddy craftsmanship would have earned disciplinary action for anyone on my maintenance crew. Yet that seems to be acceptable for RV manufacturers.
As I've noted since I started working industrial maintenance, there is a difference in the talent and craftsmanship between a production worker and a maintenance worker. The former is putting out product at minimal cost while the latter is ensuring that product can be put out regardless the cost.
__________________
Bill & Anne + FBs Athena, Jada & Cupcake
Wilson III: 2015 Ram 2500 6.4L Gas 4x4 4.10 CC SRW
Gypsy II: 2013 Kodiak 279RBSL with table & chairs instead of a dinette
Mole is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2016, 02:06 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
thompwil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Lancaster
Posts: 263
Pennsylvania
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mole View Post
As I've noted since I started working industrial maintenance, there is a difference in the talent and craftsmanship between a production worker and a maintenance worker. The former is putting out product at minimal cost while the latter is ensuring that product can be put out regardless the cost.
Very true. Also the industrial maintenance folks own their work. If it's not right and fails again, the records will show who did the below standard work. That's why most industrial guys will usually do the best they possibly can. Not to mention the extensive amount of formal training and OJT required. For production folks, if it worked before rolling out the door, it's gone forever for them, why worry about craftsmanship?
__________________

2015 Voltage 3305, Gone for Good !
2014 Ram 3500 dually, Aisin, Gone but not Forgotten.
2018 Winnebago Sunstar 32YE
thompwil is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2016, 07:43 PM   #5
Site Team
 
wahoonc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Sprung Leak
Posts: 3,157
North Carolina
Quote:
Originally Posted by thompwil View Post
Very true. Also the industrial maintenance folks own their work. If it's not right and fails again, the records will show who did the below standard work. That's why most industrial guys will usually do the best they possibly can. Not to mention the extensive amount of formal training and OJT required. For production folks, if it worked before rolling out the door, it's gone forever for them, why worry about craftsmanship?
The RV industry DOES NOT typically hire craftsmen. They hire assemblers. Huge difference.

Aaron
__________________
There is madness to my methods
2015 Coleman CM16FBS(traded) 2016 Concord 300DS
2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid following along
wahoonc is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Dutchmen RV or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT. The time now is 06:23 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2020 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.
×