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Topic: Hidden 12-Volt Breaker Location? (Read 877 times) previous topic - next topic
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Hidden 12-Volt Breaker Location?
I posted before about my 12-volt woes after plugging into shore power.  The 12-volt outlets in the front of my 1998 mid-bath are working, but not the ones in the rear.  Also, the lights for the "liquid" readings has also stopped working (can't use the water heater). 

Someone here (that was recommended) here in Mexico looked at it and then promptly told me it would be a longish diagnostic process and proceed to charge me for a service call.  I "could" wait to have my regular RV tech at home find and fix the issue, but found a post on the old Lazy Daze website about the "hidden 12-volt" location. 

I'm hoping if I can find the location, it might an easy (and overlooked) fix.  Anyone with the same year as mine know where to look?  OK, you might say to look in all the places from the web posting but I recently tripped and fell in the WalMart parking lot and injured a muscle in my mid-back so I'm not quite up to contorting my body to find the right area.  If someone knows the location, my landlord here can trip it for me.  (Yes, I actually went to a doctor here and got an RX, but I'm still pretty sore.  Sorry for TMI...)
Cheryl (a.k.a. Desert Diva)
1998 Lazy Daze (26.5 mid-bath)
2002 Honda CR-V
Re: Hidden 12-Volt Breaker Location?
Reply #1 –
Cheryl-

On my 1998 mid-bath there was a small breaker under the rear dinette seat; I think it was near the inside rear corner.

It's been 10 years since I sold the LD, and- memory being what it is these days- I could be in error (yet again).

Sorry about your injury. Get well soon!

Mark H.

Former owner, 31-foot gas Class A
Former owner, 1997-8 mid-bath
Re: Hidden 12-Volt Breaker Location?
Reply #2 –
Not much help, as I've a 2002 and my experience is the same as the link you provided. In stock format, this breaker was inside the cabinet under the fridge on my 2002 MB. It's attached to the counter support 1x2 between the cabinet and stove.

I've since removed it with my upgraded wiring, but when it was in place it would take out all 12v in the stock power center if it blew.


2002 26.5 MB

Previous: 2011 27 RB, 2005 24 TK
Re: Hidden 12-Volt Breaker Location?
Reply #3 –
Ours is a 94 mid bath and the breaker is located under the dinette seat closest to the entry door. Are you sure you don't have a blown 12V fuse in the converter center? Look close sometimes it's hard to see.

Jon
1994 MB
Re: Hidden 12-Volt Breaker Location?
Reply #4 –
Quote from: desertdivanm  - 
I posted before about my 12-volt woes after plugging into shore power.  The 12-volt outlets in the front of my 1998 mid-bath are working, but not the ones in the rear.  Also, the lights for the "liquid" readings has also stopped working (can't use the water heater).  )

If the "hidden" breaker was bad, there would be no 12-volt power for the coach, and nothing inside the coach would work. I think you have blown fuses.

When you say the front 12-volt outlet, are you referring to the cigarette lighter in the dash or other outlets?
Most but not all LDs have the dash wiring rewired to use the coach battery instead of the starting battery; either way, the fuse should be located in the fuse box under the dash on the driver's side.
Check your Owner's Manual for which fuse is used for the outlets.

All 12-volt outlets inside the coach have fuses in the LD's Power Center.
The Eyebrow over the stove and the water heater use the same fuse, found in the Power Center.
Inside the door on the Power Center is usually marked to indicate which fuse protects what circuit.

Time to start looking at the fuses to determine what is blown.

Larry
 

Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Hidden 12-Volt Breaker Location?
Reply #5 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
If the "hidden" breaker was bad, there would be no 12-volt power for the coach, and nothing inside the coach would work. I think you have blown fuses.

I had someone come and he checked the fuses in the control panel next to the sink using a 12-volt light meter.

When you say the front 12-volt outlet, are you referring to the cigarette lighter in the dash or other outlets?

No, I have one 12-volt outlet that still works added on by an RV tech and installed under the dinette seat closest to the door to use with a 12-volt plug for a laptop.  I think it's wired directly to the house battery, but couldn't tell you for sure.

All 12-volt outlets inside the coach have fuses in the LD's Power Center.
The Eyebrow over the stove and the water heater use the same fuse, found in the Power Center.
Inside the door on the Power Center is usually marked to indicate which fuse protects what circuit.

Someone has already come out to check this with a 12-volt light meter.  He said he tested ALL the fuses and none were blown.  I have a gut feeling it's something simple, but electrical/mechanical issues are not my forte

I realize it's difficult to attempt to problem solve issues over a forum.  I'm attaching photos of what is working and not working, and if you'd rather not help and/or offer suggestions I completely understand. 
.
Cheryl (a.k.a. Desert Diva)
1998 Lazy Daze (26.5 mid-bath)
2002 Honda CR-V
Re: Hidden 12-Volt Breaker Location?
Reply #6 –
I'm kind of wondering where the guy who installed the two nonworking outlets picked up his 12V power. Sometimes they don't get a good connection at that point. Where ever it is it seems to affect your monitor center. I think in ours that power comes off the TV power source and antenna booster. Bear in mind ours is a 94 model and that power is over the kitchen sink. Are there any switches that you don't know what they do?

Jon
1994 MB
Re: Hidden 12-Volt Breaker Location?
Reply #7 –
Quote from: desertdivanm  - 
I had someone come and he checked the fuses in the control panel next to the sink using a 12-volt light meter.

Not to cast aspersions on the person who checked things out for you - but a light meter will illuminate on a bad fuse if the probe is touched to the wrong side of the fuse/fuse socket. I'm not saying this happened, but it's why I always check fuses with a multimeter, looking for continuity across both blades of the fuse.

That being said, if the light meter went off checking anything in the fuse panel - even if probed incorrectly - you know you're getting 12V to the main fuse panel. So, you can likely consider the "hidden breaker" is working.

This really is a relatively simple thing to diagnose in person. I get that not all owners possess the skills, but any semi-competent RV tech should be able to narrow things down in 10 minutes or less.
2002 26.5 MB

Previous: 2011 27 RB, 2005 24 TK
Re: Hidden 12-Volt Breaker Location?
Reply #8 –
Quote from: Will G  - 
Not to cast aspersions on the person who checked things out for you - but a light meter will illuminate on a bad fuse if the probe is touched to the wrong side of the fuse/fuse socket. I'm not saying this happened, but it's why I always check fuses with a multimeter, looking for continuity across both blades of the fuse.

That being said, if the light meter went off checking anything in the fuse panel - even if probed incorrectly - you know you're getting 12V to the main fuse panel. So, you can likely consider the "hidden breaker" is working.

This really is a relatively simple thing to diagnose in person. I get that not all owners possess the skills, but any semi-competent RV tech should be able to narrow things down in 10 minutes or less.

Thanks to everyone who tried to "troubleshoot" and help, but big thanks go out to Will G. for the info about testing a fuse with the light meter. 

I was chatting with my renters last night (over wine and decadent Biscoff cheesecake and Tres Leche cake.)  They had a guy stop by who is a friend as well as a handyman that has done minor electrical work for them.  He knew EXACTLY what you had mentioned about the light meter and jumped in his car to get his multi-meter.  The #8 fuse was indeed blown and he went to buy a small set of  fuses.  When he replaced the fuse the panel started working again, and when he test the 12-volt outlets in the rear of the coach they were working too. 

Needless to say I'm a "happy camper."  Thanks again!
Cheryl (a.k.a. Desert Diva)
1998 Lazy Daze (26.5 mid-bath)
2002 Honda CR-V