Barthmobile Portal
Front A/C troubles
09-14-2012, 11:27 PM
MWrenchFront A/C troubles
My A/C quit on the way back from the GTG. No lights, no nothing. Took out the lower PCB and found the main power switch to be loose so it was re-soldered and tried it again, NOTHING.
Read about Rusty's re-soldering the ribbon cable so today looked and again found no issue with the cable.
Thanks Rusty for your response
Well, further trouble shooting, I have found no AC voltage at the junction box near the A/C unit. turns out that the AC neutral wire has no continuity back to the breaker box. I kinda know what is going on, one of those crappy connecters the RV industry uses to to pre-build a wiring harness so that it can be connected easier on final build rather than wiring in place during manufacturing.
Unfortunately, I have traced the break in the AC power, is under the area of the toilet. So in the next days, I will remove the toilet and flooring. I will take all the connectors out of the AC lines under there so I will have no further problems. Interestingly, the same connector that is in the rear roof A/C line, is accessible near the water heater, While the rear A/C was running today that connector was very warm.
More later after I get further into it.
Ed
94 30' Breakaway #3864
30-BS-6B side entry
New Cummins 5.9L, 375+ HP
Allison 6 speed
Spartan chassis
K9DVC
Tankless water heater
09-15-2012, 01:19 AM
RustyBefore you rip out the toilet, check under the sink- mine has a hatch there.
Rusty
"StaRV II"'94 28' Breakaway: MilSpec AMG 6.5L TD 230HP
Nelson and Chester, not-spoiled Golden Retrievers
Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not.
In either case the idea is quite staggering. - Arthur C. Clarke
It was a woman who drove me to drink, and I've been searching thirty years to find her and thank her - W. C. Fields
09-15-2012, 07:00 AM
Tom & LoraineI've had those fail on my coach also, after I bought my Barth I found out that I didn't have any power to the outside and bathroom receptacles. Traced it back to one of those plastic connectors under the rear bed behind the main panel, moved the connector and I could see it arcing inside. Removed the plastic connector replaced with good ole wire nuts and then wrapped with Scotch 33+ electrical tape.
Those connectors are everywhere and prone to failure, anytime you have a bladed connector that cuts through the insulation to make contact with the copper you have potential for a break. Got to admit they sure are fancy looking connectors.
Like Rusty said I also have those accessible under the sink with a hatch cover.
09-15-2012, 07:20 AM
MWrenchquote:
Originally posted by Rusty:
Before you rip out the toilet, check under the sink- mine has a hatch there.
I have already traced the wire from the roof, it comes down the wall between the kitchen/bathroom and it makes an immediate turn and goes under the toilet. The wire goes past, under the furnace and over the water heater.
I lose the signal after the kitchen/bathroom turn. Coming back from the breaker, I lose the signal after the furnace.
Ed
94 30' Breakaway #3864
30-BS-6B side entry
New Cummins 5.9L, 375+ HP
Allison 6 speed
Spartan chassis
K9DVC
Tankless water heater
09-15-2012, 10:31 AM
Bill N.Y.Perhaps it might be easier to access the vent pipe? On both of my Barths the vent pipe has the roof a/c wiring tucked in there as it goes down the wall.
Once it hits the floor it follows alongside the wall, but in its own channel, with many other 12vdc & 120vac wires and water lines.
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 | 1990 Barth Regis Widebody 8908 0128 40RDS-C1 L-10 Cummins Allison MT647 Transmission Spartan Chassis |  | 1991 Medical Lab Conversion 9102 3709 33S-12 Ford 460 MPFI C6 Transmission Oshkosh Chassis |
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09-15-2012, 11:54 AM
RainCatcherDo you have a trick for tracing wires?
"Keep On Truckin"
94 30' Breakaway #3866
5.9 cummins on spartan chassis
Ed the similarities of our coaches are amazing. Same pan hard bar. The wire connections you seek are exactly were you are headed. Right behind the toilet and forward from the furnace where the floor raises for the wheel well. I just had that all apart to replace the floor under the toilet and make it solid again. Got rid of all the stink!!
That having been said now I wish I had redone those connections while I had it apart. My wire to the air conditioner also had issues and they had used the ground as a neutral which caused me issues when I replaced the electronics in the AC. Should have checked those connections.
Good Luck I think I'm going to have to go back and read all your posts on a cold winters night.
Dana & Lynn
1997 38ft Monarch front entry
Spartan Mountain Master Chassis
Cummins 8.3 325hp
Allison MD-3060 6 speed
22.5 11R
Cummins Factory Exhaust Brake
8000 watt Quiet Diesel Generator
9608-M0022-38MI-4C
Christened Midnight
1972 22ft
72081169MC22C
Christened Camp Barth
09-15-2012, 02:50 PM
Rusty Yep! 
Rusty
"StaRV II"'94 28' Breakaway: MilSpec AMG 6.5L TD 230HP
Nelson and Chester, not-spoiled Golden Retrievers
Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not.
In either case the idea is quite staggering. - Arthur C. Clarke
It was a woman who drove me to drink, and I've been searching thirty years to find her and thank her - W. C. Fields
09-15-2012, 03:29 PM
RainCatcherThanks Rusty!

"Keep On Truckin"
94 30' Breakaway #3866
5.9 cummins on spartan chassis
09-17-2012, 06:47 PM
tom taylorRaincatcher:
You can use what is called a toner. Basically a RF signal is placed on a wire and you trace the signal.
http://compare.ebay.com/like/1...ceItemTypes&var=sbar09-17-2012, 08:22 PM
RainCatcherThanks Tom, I have already ordered the Fluke Networks Analog Tone and Probe Kit from Amazon that Rusty recommended.
Cheers,
Mike
"Keep On Truckin"
94 30' Breakaway #3866
5.9 cummins on spartan chassis
09-18-2012, 01:01 PM
tom taylorFluke is probably the best brand. My techs used their stuff when we maintained telecom cross connect fields for office towers, etc. Lots of wire. My example was just to show what it was.
Tom Taylor
09-18-2012, 08:37 PM
RustyI know the interiors of our coaches are quite different, but I found the wretched connectors had a herding instinct - one cluster was under the bed, the other was hiding behind the furnace.
If it were I, I'd take a look behind the furnace and the outside reefer compartment. A visual inspection will be easy:
Rusty
"StaRV II"'94 28' Breakaway: MilSpec AMG 6.5L TD 230HP
Nelson and Chester, not-spoiled Golden Retrievers
Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not.
In either case the idea is quite staggering. - Arthur C. Clarke
It was a woman who drove me to drink, and I've been searching thirty years to find her and thank her - W. C. Fields
09-23-2012, 08:27 PM
lenny and judysince i have a few red wires or white in the coach got one years ago you will use it a lot . Good luck ?was your red light on the thermostat ? lenny
lenny and judy
32', Regency, Cummins 8.3L, Spartan Chassis, 1992
Tag# 9112 0158 32RS 1B