strange odor

[David Brady]

Folks,

After a long drive (500 miles) I detect an electrical odor from
the bedroom area of the bus. It smells like an overheated
transistor, but I can't identify it's origin. Everything seems to
be operating normally, no leaks, smoke, or overheating. The
inverters are at normal temp, the alternator is normal, nothing
is overly hot. Any ideas?

Thanks,
David Brady
'02 LXi, NC

[Pete Masterson]

From time to time, I encounter that "electrical smell" in one part
or another of the coach. There are electrical distribution panels
(12vdc) above the windshield and in the rear closet (as well as below
the driver's window on newer coaches or across the front of the coach
on the wide body models).

Several times, when I smelled "the smell" I've searched and checked
high-and-low but have not found anything clearly identifiable as the
source. (Although I note that the last electrical smell was coming
from somewhere near the inverters and one of my two is apparently no
longer inverting -- I'll find out tomorrow when I disconnect and hit
the road.)

So, I don't really have any suggestions -- and it is likely not a
good thing going on -- but it may be weeks (months or years) before
something actually occurs. Indeed, it took two years from the time
that my Kool-o-matic started having some odd symptoms until it
actually failed (and I've now clearly determined that the K-o-m motor
is dead). There wasn't (much) smell to the fan going out, if only
that any smell it generated went out the vent when the fan was
running...

I've also determined that appearances can be very misleading. For
example, in the case of the Kool-o-matic, I'd have sworn (after
inspection) that the thermostat was defective (due to a considerable
build up of 'crud' on the back side of the lower 1/3 of the circuit
board) -- but after a very thorough troubleshooting session, I proved
to my satisfaction that the thermostat works just fine, despite the
appearance.

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
aeonix1@...
On the road at Edinburg, VA



On Oct 23, 2008, at 3:12 PM, David Brady wrote:

> Folks,
>
> After a long drive (500 miles) I detect an electrical odor from
> the bedroom area of the bus. It smells like an overheated
> transistor, but I can't identify it's origin. Everything seems to
> be operating normally, no leaks, smoke, or overheating. The
> inverters are at normal temp, the alternator is normal, nothing
> is overly hot. Any ideas?
>
> Thanks,
> David Brady
> '02 LXi, NC
>

[Fred Hulse]

David

Just be certain you don't have an exhaust leak at or near the bends and swivels of your coaches exhaust system..

I have been told by a couple others that the odor from the engine room insulation will emit that electrical burning smell.

Fred & Jeanne Hulse
Morristown Arizona
1997 Wanderlodge WLWB41

[David Brady]

Thanks Pete,



I neglected to mention that the smell is only apparent when underway
and

dissipates when the coach is parked (regardless of shore power or
generator

operation).



I also noticed that my right turn signal on the toad isn't functioning,
the brake

lights on the toad do work, which tells me that it's not the bulb.
Prevost Car

told me that the trailer light module that I use is prone to meltdown
and catch

fire, so I purchased a draw-tite module for replacement. I haven't
installed it

yet. This could be the cuplrit.



David Brady

'02 LXi, NC



Pete Masterson wrote:

From time to time, I encounter that "electrical smell" in one
part

or another of the coach. There are electrical distribution panels

(12vdc) above the windshield and in the rear closet (as well as below

the driver's window on newer coaches or across the front of the coach

on the wide body models).



Several times, when I smelled "the smell" I've searched and checked

high-and-low but have not found anything clearly identifiable as the

source. (Although I note that the last electrical smell was coming

from somewhere near the inverters and one of my two is apparently no

longer inverting -- I'll find out tomorrow when I disconnect and hit

the road.)



So, I don't really have any suggestions -- and it is likely not a

good thing going on -- but it may be weeks (months or years) before

something actually occurs. Indeed, it took two years from the time

that my Kool-o-matic started having some odd symptoms until it

actually failed (and I've now clearly determined that the K-o-m motor

is dead). There wasn't (much) smell to the fan going out, if only

that any smell it generated went out the vent when the fan was

running...



I've also determined that appearances can be very misleading. For

example, in the case of the Kool-o-matic, I'd have sworn (after

inspection) that the thermostat was defective (due to a considerable

build up of 'crud' on the back side of the lower 1/3 of the circuit

board) -- but after a very thorough troubleshooting session, I proved

to my satisfaction that the thermostat works just fine, despite the

appearance.



Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

"aeonix1%40mac.com"

On the road at Edinburg, VA



On Oct 23, 2008, at 3:12 PM, David Brady wrote:



> Folks,

>

> After a long drive (500 miles) I detect an electrical odor from

> the bedroom area of the bus. It smells like an overheated

> transistor, but I can't identify it's origin. Everything seems to

> be operating normally, no leaks, smoke, or overheating. The

> inverters are at normal temp, the alternator is normal, nothing

> is overly hot. Any ideas?

>

> Thanks,

> David Brady

> '02 LXi, NC

>

Internal Virus Database is out-of-date.

Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.405 / Virus Database: 270.8.0/1715 - Release Date: 10/9/2008 12:00 AM

[David Brady]

Thanks Fred,



That's good information. I'll take a second look at the exhaust system

for leaks and at the insulation for signs of burning.



David Brady

'02 LXi, NC



Fred Hulse wrote:

David

Just be certain you don't have an
exhaust leak at or near the bends and swivels of your coaches exhaust
system..

I have been told by a couple others
that the odor from the engine room insulation will emit that electrical
burning smell.

Fred & Jeanne Hulse

Morristown Arizona

1997 Wanderlodge WLWB41

Internal Virus Database is out-of-date.

Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.405 / Virus Database: 270.8.0/1715 - Release Date: 10/9/2008 12:00 AM

[Pete Masterson]

That's a real possibility. I've had the diode for the right turn
signal on my toad apparently 'die' and I need to get another one to
replace it. It seems that these components are made particularly
cheaply -- which means they don't work very well or for very long.

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
aeonix1@...
On the road at Max Meadows, VA



On Oct 23, 2008, at 7:48 PM, David Brady wrote:

> Thanks Pete,
>
> I neglected to mention that the smell is only apparent when
> underway and
> dissipates when the coach is parked (regardless of shore power or
> generator
> operation).
>
> I also noticed that my right turn signal on the toad isn't
> functioning, the brake
> lights on the toad do work, which tells me that it's not the bulb.
> Prevost Car
> told me that the trailer light module that I use is prone to
> meltdown and catch
> fire, so I purchased a draw-tite module for replacement. I haven't
> installed it
> yet. This could be the cuplrit.
>
> David Brady
> '02 LXi, NC
>
> Pete Masterson wrote:
>>
>> From time to time, I encounter that "electrical smell" in one part
>> or another of the coach. There are electrical distribution panels
>> (12vdc) above the windshield and in the rear closet (as well as below
>> the driver's window on newer coaches or across the front of the coach
>> on the wide body models).
>>
>> Several times, when I smelled "the smell" I've searched and checked
>> high-and-low but have not found anything clearly identifiable as the
>> source. (Although I note that the last electrical smell was coming
>> from somewhere near the inverters and one of my two is apparently no
>> longer inverting -- I'll find out tomorrow when I disconnect and hit
>> the road.)
>>
>> So, I don't really have any suggestions -- and it is likely not a
>> good thing going on -- but it may be weeks (months or years) before
>> something actually occurs. Indeed, it took two years from the time
>> that my Kool-o-matic started having some odd symptoms until it
>> actually failed (and I've now clearly determined that the K-o-m motor
>> is dead). There wasn't (much) smell to the fan going out, if only
>> that any smell it generated went out the vent when the fan was
>> running...
>>
>> I've also determined that appearances can be very misleading. For
>> example, in the case of the Kool-o-matic, I'd have sworn (after
>> inspection) that the thermostat was defective (due to a considerable
>> build up of 'crud' on the back side of the lower 1/3 of the circuit
>> board) -- but after a very thorough troubleshooting session, I proved
>> to my satisfaction that the thermostat works just fine, despite the
>> appearance.
>>
>> Pete Masterson
>> '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
>> aeonix1@...
>> On the road at Edinburg, VA
>>
>> On Oct 23, 2008, at 3:12 PM, David Brady wrote:
>>
>> > Folks,
>> >
>> > After a long drive (500 miles) I detect an electrical odor from
>> > the bedroom area of the bus. It smells like an overheated
>> > transistor, but I can't identify it's origin. Everything seems to
>> > be operating normally, no leaks, smoke, or overheating. The
>> > inverters are at normal temp, the alternator is normal, nothing
>> > is overly hot. Any ideas?
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> > David Brady
>> > '02 LXi, NC
>> >
>> Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. Checked by AVG. Version:
>> 7.5.405 / Virus Database: 270.8.0/1715 - Release Date: 10/9/2008
>> 12:00 AM
>
>