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Old 01-01-2020, 01:04 PM   #11
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Phil, I HIGHLY suggest pulling the cover off your Driver side B Pillar and inspecting the wires there BEFORE your departure. Ramsey nearly lost his rig to a fire started in that spot. I helped a guy fix his rig with a shorting problem in that same area, and the pics from the OP show the same issues in that area.

Bare rough/jagged edges of body metal sawing into and across wires. I have seen enough that I would certainly inspect. Especially if you have a SMB installed window behind the driver’s door.

Looking forward to (jealously) following your blog!!

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Old 01-01-2020, 01:59 PM   #12
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Phil, I will second what 1der pointed out. My van was exactly how he described it with the bundle of unprotected wires draping across the cut sheet metal. On my van anyway, there is a 12 AWG wire available, near the floor, from the van body harness that SMB used to power the outside light switches and the esbar D4 heater, yup, the heater was on the starter batteries. All this means a short from the jagged sheet metal would have been on the starter battery supply, I'm assuming it is fused somewhere. I discovered all this when I moved those lights and the heater to the house battery supply. Definitely check there.

Your not alone with the bird nest of wire situation. My van is an SMB West build, had the avetal security/remote start system and dimming rear view mirror installed by someone (which means there are, still are, wires and fuses buried way up under the dash and inside A pillar) Plus, the first owner said it had been broken into and had two different installs of "entertainment systems from professionals". Most of the wiring from the first/ stolen infotainment system was just abandoned in place. So, yea, I pretty much have removed and replaced everything.

I digress,

Just check behind the driver B pillar like 1der mentioned. And, your not alone in this project.

- Eric
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Old 01-01-2020, 02:13 PM   #13
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Will do guys and thanks for the heads-up. I've never pulled the B-pillar off. When I de-installed the SMB installed entertainment system wiring I found a bundle of melted wires associated with the overhead monitor / DVD player / SMB installed Kenwood receiver.

As a side note, but somewhat related subject, I just installed a second fire extinguisher in back next to where I sleep. I typically have the rear swing arms closed and latched at night so couldn't get out that way in event of a fire up front while I'm sleeping. Not to be paranoid, but ....
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Old 01-01-2020, 03:18 PM   #14
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...As a side note, but somewhat related subject, I just installed a second fire extinguisher in back next to where I sleep. I typically have the rear swing arms closed and latched at night so couldn't get out that way in event of a fire up front while I'm sleeping. Not to be paranoid, but ....

Maybe one or more of these solid fire extinguishers to complement what you already have?



http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/for...her-22138.html




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Old 01-01-2020, 03:23 PM   #15
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My ‘94 e150 Winnebago conversion wiring looked like that as well. Interestingly on the Winnebago units, all of the interior panels were signed with a name, presumably by the person who did the work. “If you want it done right, do it yourself” that’s what I live by these days.
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Old 01-03-2020, 05:54 AM   #16
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Maybe one or more of these solid fire extinguishers to complement what you already have?

http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/for...her-22138.html

Herb
I'd keep one close by where ever you sleep so its within reach even when first waking up. There's paranoid and there's being safe and well equipped---be the latter.

I've not yet had to use my Element's but there's one within reach just inside the driver's door and another inside the right rear hinged door too. That one rests within sight of the Kidde traditional ABC dry powder pressurized extinguisher.

Be safe!
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Old 01-03-2020, 07:46 AM   #17
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UNREG, that about sums up my top 10 biggest complaints about other people's wiring jobs, particularly campers. You left out, but the pictures show, "Using one color, usually red, for everything wired on a given day".


After I bought it 9yrs ago, my prof built van kept popping fuses. After some investigation, I found a 10ga wire strung behind a panel, making a turn at a hard sheetmetal edge, that cut through the wire insulation. Typical BS workmanship hidden behind a nice interior panel.



Someone mentioned RIVA certification sticker: Back in 1990, I bought a new cabover camper from a very reputable dealer. I dropped off my 6 month old truck so they could marry the two together w/tie downs, helper springs, wire up and pigtail, make sure the tail light, heater, AC, aux battery and isolator, everything was copacetic before our 2500mi trip. They needed it for an extra 5 days because "our best wiring guy doesn't come in until Wednesday, and we want your young family to have that fully functioning camper that you paid for" Half way to the Grand canyon, I'm under the camper, at night, in the rain, trying to figure out why the tail lights and one turn signal aren't working.


I see no less than 20 of those stupid f__king blue scotch-lok splice connectors, some spliced in then bypassed, wires held up with scrap wire tied in a square knot (I guess their #1 wiring guy never heard of a zip tie). Not a single fuse used anywhere. Front to back main power wire threaded through holes in the frame, no zip ties, looked like a hurried drunk wired it in an hour. What a nightmare, I'm surprised the truck's wiring harness didn't catch on fire on it's maiden voyage


From then on I just do my own wiring...
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Old 01-03-2020, 08:24 AM   #18
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Being an IT guy for a few years I was broke of the wire tie habit. We weren’t allowed to use wire ties in HP com rooms or anywhere data was ran onsite. While I still carry zip ties, I rarely use them. Instead I carry rolls of 1/2” & 1” velcro. Stuff works great for freaking everything, no sharp edges, and it’s reusable.
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Old 01-03-2020, 10:15 AM   #19
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Seeing those wiring pictures make me cringe. Its unfortunate that it is so common to see this in high end products. I guess some people just don't take any pride in their craftsmanship. We build commercial and recreational boats and there is no way wiring like that would ever leave our shop. Our wiring isn't amazing but this is the quality we expect in our boats. (sorry about all the F@&^% red wire, at least they are labled on each end!)
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Old 01-03-2020, 11:37 AM   #20
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Phil, I HIGHLY suggest pulling the cover off your Driver side B Pillar and inspecting the wires there BEFORE your departure. Ramsey nearly lost his rig to a fire started in that spot. !
Interestingly, the fire started due to FACTORY wiring shorting out in that spot, not aftermarket modifications. As I remember, it was the tail light, dome light circuits.
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