Oh. My. GAWD! I ultimately could not care less that you couldn't wrap it up with the smoking gun at the end. You just saved me a ton of either time or money by showing me how to do this for my RV. This is so, so helpful. On the day when you read my comment, I hope you will go to bed that night feeling good that you saved some dude you don't know a whole lot of frustration.

When you view this you are seeing an honest man that did not make up a story at the end. Refreshing.

Electrical problems are so fickle especially DC. Absolutely great job of explaining everything and your thought process.

The real value was seeing an honorable person that did not try to bs me. Great video.

Excellent lesson tracking a dead short. I’ve had similar electrical mysteries so great to see an expert’s approach. Always learn and enjoy your presentations

Impressed with your method of trouble shooting the short.... I am having issues with my pop up tent trailer 12 volt lights not working. The 120 AC seems to be fine.

Great video Darren. Very good diagnosis. Sometimes we fix stuff by mistake. Gotta love RVs

This is by far the most informative video I've ever watched and look forward to seeing many more.

This guy is really good... I like the way he explains things... I watch his videos all the time... I have made several DYI improvements to my RV just by watching his videos... Keep the videos coming...

Thank you so much for your time and the help you provide to us all thank you

Its amazing what you can learn on KZfaq. This is exactly what I needed when I needed it. My new (to me) MH 12v is not working and now I know how to find the problem. I'm confident I will have it very soon thanks to you.

Thanks for the great video and concise explanations. I had been chasing a phantom dead short in my lighting circuit for a couple of days, thought I had it resolved but back it came. I watched your video saw how you tested the circuits replicated it with my fuse panel, verified the bad circuit, isolated it and rewired the entire lighting circuit instead of trying to find the exposed power wire and it is better than new. Your videos are awesome!!

Thanks man, new rv tech from Michigan here. Electrical has never been my strong suit, or preferred suit lol. But im learning its imperative to succeed in our industry. Training at my employers isn't exactly top notch ( to learn is to make mistakes and learn from it) however, I hate to be THAT GUY in the field where people are paying and counting on me to know, not guess and hope for the best. Anyways, your videos are always my go to. And are turning me into a knowledgeable tech yet!! 🤘

Thanks for a very informative video! I find that many issues with RV’s come and go! No smoking gun!

Love your videos Darrin. I recently traced all of the DC wires in my 2019 Palamino Puma RESS257 5th wheel. Just as you removed each individual DC fuse to trace a short, I removed each fuse one at a time for Front, Middle and Rear. Then I tested every light, most of which are LED in the RV by flipping switches. "Front" fuse on my RV only protects the front cap docking lights. "Middle" fuse protects bath fan/light. "Rear" protects all living room/kitchen, hallway, bedroom and outside switched lights, which seems like a lot of lights on one circuit. I just realized that I didn't trace which fuse protects the kitchen range hood/fan which of coarse I will now have to do. There are certain other fuses hidden around my RV. I found a 5 amp fuse for awning rope light next to the front door, inside the nearest upper kitchen cabinet , behind a crude piece of plywood, along with a huge rats nest of wires behind the DC switch panel for slide, lights, awning, and water tank level indicators. I also made a DC wire color chart for each fuse leading out from each DC fuse. Also, for any of your viewers like me, I found out that when a particular colored DC wire runs from the fusebox to a switch that, for example, would operate a slide room motor, the wire leaving the switch to the slide room motor is a different color. More colors than a rainbow, purple, black, orange, gray, purple, green, brown, pink, red. The black/white wire to "Front" docking lights ran under the rig to the front and up into forward storage compartment to the switch, beside the storage door. Inside the front compartmennext to the door frame is a thin plywood covering where many staples are shot clean through the plywood, leaving a gap near the switch where I could see the black/white wire running to the light switch for the docking lights. A red/white wire leaving the switch to the docking lights had a wood screw driven right through the middle of the two wires. I removed the screw and saw bare wire on both sides. I was absolutely amazed that that fuse had not blown! Just like the short you were tracing, if there were a screw driven through a wire that was somewhere/anywhere inside a wall or ceiling it would be very difficult or expensive to find! You made a comment in another video I recently watched mentioning the "Proprietary" RV trade secrets that "They" don't want "Us" to know. I wouldn't own an RV if I had to take it to a "Dealer" for every little repair. You're videos are "Invaluable"! Thanks again for the information you provide!

I know as a maintenance tech wizard for 40 yrs all I would have to do is show up at the problem and all of the sudden no more problem. Wait around a half an hour or more for problem to return and nothing. Leave and 5 minutes later get a call to return. keep up the good work.

Thx for sharing even though you didn't get to the source. The troubleshooting steps were super helpful.

Hey this helped a lot, I had the exact same fix - Didn't discover the problem but the issue fixed itself. So now we have anxiety about it breaking again, but at least the fridge is back on!

And another great video. I really lean a lot every time I watch them. Thanks again.

Logical and well thought-out troubleshooting techniques are valuable whether or not you discovered the source of the problem. Thanks!

Love your videos. Maybe expand on why the fuse didn’t blow.

Good basic troubleshooting- everyone should watch, thanks!

I have a hard time learning , mainly lack experience an the confidence to just do an find out. Its helpful to see different issues an problems. Iv seen vehicle issues just go away after taking part almost off an couldn't free it from space so I bolted it back down and didn't trouble me no more.... so I basically let it be and still have the new starter I bought.....

Many thanks for the excellent narrative while you were "on the hunt." In the back of my mind when you isolated the problem to the black "Center" circuit wire, I was already worried you might face a "CCWT" (Came Clear While Testing) resolution - bummer! As it turns out on RVs, sadly the installers hurriedly (and sometimes sloppily) rush through installing screws that "nick" into the insulation of a hot wire. And sure enough, over the years these time bombs that were sleeping in wait, eventually wiggle around enough that the screw finally pierces the insulation and shorts the voltage to ground. While closing out the trouble ticked and heading home seems reasonable, yet when we're soooo close, ideally we would want to spend a bit more time to try to isolate and resolve the problem. Here could hook up the beeper individually to each of the black wires at the acorn connector and pull/push/jiggle the wires while listening for an intermittent/momentary beep. Perhaps the short was a wood or sheet metal screw at a junction or switch box, etc. On my Fleetwood when replacing the microwave oven, I was shocked to find dozens of sharp metal filings floating loose above the microwave, left behind when a rookie installer didn't bother cleaning up. I also found a wood screw piercing the insulation going to the ac/heater controller so goodness knows what to expect in the future. In fact right now my Converter doesn't seem to be working so back to work for me... Happy Trails, Michael

Very well done electrical troubleshoot explanation. I will refer lots of friends to watch it as most just throw up their hands when confronting electrical problem. Methodical, thoughtful, professional. Thank you! Kathy G

👍thanks bud. Really good info, ya it would have been cool to find the exact cause but you know what that's what we all expect to find. This was something that doesn't happen too often. So, a somewhat rare situation with a good find, way to go. Thank you

Very informative video. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Hey Darren, really appreciate your videos. On this subject, I recently traced all of the DC and AC circuits in my Forest River RV. The 7.5 amp fuse marked as "front" were the front cap exterior landing lights. The 7.5 amp "middle" was the bath light/fan, and the 7.5 amp "rear" were the living room lights at rear, hall way lights in middle and bedroom lights up front. My RV and most with 30 amp AC service has only two,, 15 amp breakers for all 120 volt outlets. Of course one needs to know which outlets are on each breaker. To ever operate two 1500 watt appliances at the same time ( coffee maker, hair dryer, crock pot, resistance heater, etc.) on a 30 amp RV, each device must be on seperate cicuit breakers or a breaker will trip. Thanks again!

I know we didn't get to see the problem repaired but this video made me happy. As a diyer who doesn't always understand the repair process and just follows along... the brokes that fix themselves are the best

This was super helpful. I never knew about continuity mode. I'm having an issue where my Class A works on external AC power and generator, but nothing on DC. I'll try this.

I needed this. Electrickery scares me. Subscribed. 👍

Great tips on how to track down the issue

Great video , very straight forward helps alot thanks

Thanks for your work!!!

Work and think at the same time! You must be a wizard!!

Cool neat to see how you did troubleshoot the RV. Thanks for sharing

I know the frustration of intermittent faults like that. We had a 2016 Thor 23U class C with a circuit that became shorted to ground. I worked for over a week tracing out the wiring only to end up isolating it to an area of wiring harness that seemed to be inaccessible. I managed to find a spare wire in the same harness that was clear of any fault and substituted it for the faulty wire. After a career of 39 years as a journeyman industrial electrician, those kinds of problems are the worst.

My favorite term (fixed another one). Works every time.

Thanks! You just saved me an infinite amount of frustration and time!

Wow!!! Amazing video !!!!

Thank you !

Great video.

Exellent job sir

Very helpful, my RV has a battery short, previous owner said the AC has issues, marked "not turn it on"

If I was to guess the cause at the conclusion of this excellent trouble shooting video, I would say a grommet to protect the wires from becoming chaffed against the frame in this case possibly aluminum framing where the walls meet the roof has either come dislodged, or was never installed during manufacturing. Excellent trouble shooting skills and yet another reason why we cherish your time Darin. Thank you

New subscriber to an older video. I'll be using this to chase a similar issue in my 2019 Jayco. The cooling fan is constantly running with everything off, battery tests good and it's not charging the battery enough on shore power or even after a 6 hour drive. It almost didn't let my truck start at my last fuel stop. Anyway, thanks. I'll definitely reference this and try to remember to report back.

Thanks for the great video and detail. You are very good at explaining things. Did this camper spark at the battery when you connected the battery cables? I just bought a camper with a bad converter. It has no dc power at all and of course is not charging the battery. I just ordered a new converter. I noticed when I connect the battery positive wire first then the negative second the cable sparks when the cable touches the negative post. Im going to check the cables to ground like you video. I just want to make sure I do not short out my new inverter. I have an electronics background so Im going to be checking all the wiring on this thing.

Thanks

I have a phantom in my rv. We're currently touring the U.S in it and it reared it's ugly head twice now. I've done exactly as you did in this video.. with the same results. So I'm feeling your anguish ;-) I hate getting beat by the 12 volt demon!

very good

Had a similar problem recently on my keystone where all dc power was out but still had ac power, found a buss (not sure if this is the proper term) on the frame behind the hitch and jack, for grounding where the ground wire is grounded, it is corroded I wiggled it and all the lights came back on, I will be replacing this buss and cleaning up the corroded wire.

Was it maybe because the wires were connected tie on wiring nut ?

Another way is to connect a test light between the negative post and the negative wire at the battery. It will light up if there's a short obviously but then you start pulling fuses. When the light goes off you've found the circuit with the short.

Excellent! 😀

Awesome video and had the same issue with my camper, looking on how to fix it I came across your video. Very awesome video, thanks. Regarding my camper, the first 10 mins I got continuity between positive lead and ground, like you. I followed your video and did all the things you did. And just like you I went back and after not doing anything (other than turning off/on breakers and removing/replacing fuses) the beeping magically stopped. Got me thinking. I wonder if this is normal and has something to do with a transformer/inverter (120V to 12V) I assume in a transformer/inverter there's a coil on either side (high voltage and low voltage) that retained some capacity and eventually dissipated? I have no idea just tossing out my thoughts.

Great thanks

hay there my friend great video as always. I wish I knew a rv tech in Houston half as knowledgeable as you are sir. if you happen to know one please let me know .and thank you sir. From Doug

Why did the fuse not blow?

I have a 2013 Crossroads Sunset Trails trailer. A breaker labelled “front” will not reset. The bedroom plug sockets and tv will not work. I also noticed today that the fridge will not work unless on propane, possibly on the same circuit. My trailer is currently plugged in, shore power, at home.

Good job thanks

I have a 94 Winnebago with a 3 battery system could you please show me how to hook up the batteries there under the step thanks

I love the videos there Darren...A! in the DIYer stuff. I am with Philip on this issue...why didn't the fuse blow?? I am assuming that they may have had this issue before and ran out of the right fuse replacement and stuck in a larger one,(Good way to start a fire). and frgot about it. "Center" could simply relate to the center alley way of lighting..which would match what you did when it failed. Could simply be a bad light fixture is all. Nice job though..enjoyed every minute of it.

I'm dealing something similar I found a bad auto circuit relay that fall apart. So I'm starting with that. I'm not sure if that is the problem.

I just switched to lithium batteries can you make a recommendation on what converter I should purchase?

Help! Can you come to Southern Oregon?!

😄👍Good Stuff, Great Tips

Thank you. You have empowered me to be a lot less timid when looking for the problem. I find your technique amazing. Intelligent reasoning yet you make it seem so practical and understandable. Continuity and ground seem to be the magical words. I will use your method to find my problem....hopefully. My generator will start from inside the coach from either of the two start/stop switches ... but will not stop the generator. I have to go outside to the actual generator in my Winnebago Brave and shut it off at the switch on the generator...it still works fine. Would you have any advice as to where I should start or what to specifically look for? Thank you again and wish me luck.

why didn't the fuse blow on that circuit? Isn' that the point of the fuse to isolate the shorted circuit from everything else and protect the wiring/equipment?

Very good expanation

hello, good info. my 2013 thor daybreak has a 12 v intermittent problem. 12v sys usually does not work. unhooked from 50A and noticed the 12v sys was working, stopped for gas and 12v sys was not working, not to electronically inclined but neighbor has a little knowledge. called my tech and he said it could be a relay, relay for what ? dont know if u can shed some light but what do you think, b4 i call a mobile tech. thx

So I need to find a good ground and set Metter on continuity to check fuses to see if I have a short my norcold fig keeps blowing 5 amp fuse

Why didn't the fuse in the panel blow with the short?

Thats the bad thing with wire nuts. Wonder if it’s good idea to replace that wire nut on them 3 wires with a wagu connector?

Good video. This is does happen especially with ceiling lights run in series. So i usually give the owner the option of me pulling them to check. I would love to have a set of knee pads like that where did you get them? Thank in advance. Pitts’ RV Repair Rolla, MO

I wonder why the fuse didn't blow on that short circuit?

My awning is not working. When I looked at the 12volt fuses all of them were good. I did notice though when I pulled the fuses the burnt fuse light indicator came on. However, when I pulled the fuse for the awning the light did not come on even with the switch for the awning pushed. I am assuming my problem is between that fuse and battery. Any idea where I should start or what it could be?

I have a 1999 La Palma Monoco RV and my converter is not working. I cant find it either, I have look in all cabinets and compartments still cant locate it. Can you help me.

Great stuff as always. I have looked up what the continuity symbol looks like on my multimeter. Maybe a simple dumbed down video on how to use a common multimeter for most often used functions. Trying real hard to learn rv electrical.

you have great videos brother!

Dang ghost problems!

This video did not find the shorted wire, but Darren noted that he opened a wire nut with three wires, and the problem went away. I wonder if the wire nut was wrapped in electrician tape. If not, that may have been the source of the short. Wrapping wire nuts on hot wires ensure that nothing else is able to penetrate the wire cluster and possibly cause a short.

I purchased an outback 221UND with no back up camera pre wired for a furion camera. I purchased an after market camera that is furion compatible. I put it together just like the instructions suggested and plugged it into the truck and it worked. So I took it to the back of the 27' trailer used the connector to plug into the furion system and got no signal. I started the truck turned the lights to on not auto and still got nothing( no signal). So I took it down set it up in the truck again and it works fine. I also purchased a furion booster pig tale but still have nothing. Electrical systems are greek to me please help.

Darren, can you explain what you mean by “touch it to the frame?” The continuity test and the word frame aren’t making sense to me.

Great job you are amazing so self explain u will used to see if I can fix my my generator work only when I on the key no start but drain my batteries so I stop and star my engine to charge my batteries for 1/2 hrs I do it again you think is my Volta regulator a short? everything work only I turn the key to on excuse my explanation Spanish to English from Nicaragua Central America old istaca sunova 2003 gracias senor tx very much

Center Console?

Is there any place where wiring diagrams for a particular RV can be located/ purchased? A couple of years ago, I had the same problem, but it wasn't the lights, it was the RV brake pull out switch that had been pulled out accidentally been pulled out while disconnected while removing the bars from my load level hitch. It almost ruined by two six volt batteries. Good video. I would check the wires to that light as far as you can visibly for nicks, because there must be something wrong in that length. Good luck with your channel.

What does it mean when you pull a fuse out of that panel and their is a spark?

A a techie myself, I really hate these 'magic' aka 'wtf did I do?' pseudo-solutions. You just know the problem is still there... sigh

What video did you use a fluke toner to find a open or short?

GREAT VALUE... You found that is was NOT the RED wire! ! ! :)

Hi I'm new to rv repair trade can I get a recommendation on which wire tracer to purchase ? I have a dc short to ground

So glad that fuse did it's job - NOT.

Why isn't my battery being charged I have a keystone 2011 raptor toy....is my convertor bad...I'm currently using a battery charger to keep the battery charged

I have a tent trailer with dual batteries and a 3 way switch just installed last year - we ran minimal appliances dry camping and we got the loud low voltage siren around midnight - batteries were still reading 11.2 volts - switched batteries at 3 way switch and after short time same thing - checked batteries today and they read 13.6 after full charge overnight and rated perfect on meter at ORiley's - batteries are only 1 year old - checked fuses at exterior switch and it was good - extremely cold at night and need heat for my son's medical condition - running water heater and refrigerator but nothing else - why would low voltage sound at 11 volts??? I would think it would run down to less and then sound an alert - please help

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Why did it not blow a fuse?

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Maybe a Staple

90% of the time I find a single spade bulb in a double spade socket.