Anyone out there own a montana? We have a 2003 montana that I have been preparing for a trip I went to change the switch on one of the dc lights in the back living area. While changing the switch noticed I wasn't getting power any longer checked the fuse and it was blown I wasn't about to put another fuse in because these baby's are 15 amps I did check to see if there is a ground there wasn't but still not willing to chance direct current has burned down a lot of RV's. Anyone have any ideas of the wiring run for these wires.
Thanks,
Workinrvers said
10:16 AM Jul 15, 2014
we used to have a Montana and all the wiring was ran through the undercarriage and up the walls from the floor. You should be able to drop the belly skin and access the wiring but be prepared for what you will find. Keystone (and others) is notorious for not using any kind of wire ties, looms or conduit when building their rigs. You are likely to find wires going every which way with no color coding or wiring diagram to refer to. Sounds like you have a dead short in the wiring causing the fuse to do what it was designed for and interrupt the circuit. Was the switch bad you were replacing? You might have fixed the issue with the new switch, only way to tell is to replace the 15 amp fuse and see if it blows. Should not be any danger as that is what they are supposed to do, just don't replace with a higher rated fuse as this is where problems could arise. Good luck fixing the problem.
Phil
ps: there is a nice group at http://www.montanaowners.com/ who also have a discussion forum and would be able to help with your specific brand.
pwilson800 said
11:26 AM Jul 15, 2014
Thanks Phil,
I did drop a front panel for a leak a the grey water tank and you are right did a lot of wire ties while the panel was down. What surprised me about the wires for the lights look like they come from the ceiling down. Will pull a panel in the back and look for the wires that go to rear living area. Getting ready to go on trip I am going to put 1156 led bulbs in the lights and run 3 amp fuse due to the low amp draw of the LEDs understand from reading they draw less than 1/10 of a amp.
Nice talking to you and good luck with your travels,
Anyone out there own a montana? We have a 2003 montana that I have been preparing for a trip I went to change the switch on one of the dc lights in the back living area. While changing the switch noticed I wasn't getting power any longer checked the fuse and it was blown I wasn't about to put another fuse in because these baby's are 15 amps I did check to see if there is a ground there wasn't but still not willing to chance direct current has burned down a lot of RV's. Anyone have any ideas of the wiring run for these wires.
Thanks,
we used to have a Montana and all the wiring was ran through the undercarriage and up the walls from the floor. You should be able to drop the belly skin and access the wiring but be prepared for what you will find. Keystone (and others) is notorious for not using any kind of wire ties, looms or conduit when building their rigs. You are likely to find wires going every which way with no color coding or wiring diagram to refer to.
Sounds like you have a dead short in the wiring causing the fuse to do what it was designed for and interrupt the circuit. Was the switch bad you were replacing? You might have fixed the issue with the new switch, only way to tell is to replace the 15 amp fuse and see if it blows. Should not be any danger as that is what they are supposed to do, just don't replace with a higher rated fuse as this is where problems could arise. Good luck fixing the problem.
Phil
ps: there is a nice group at http://www.montanaowners.com/ who also have a discussion forum and would be able to help with your specific brand.
Thanks Phil,
I did drop a front panel for a leak a the grey water tank and you are right did a lot of wire ties while the panel was down. What surprised me about the wires for the lights look like they come from the ceiling down. Will pull a panel in the back and look for the wires that go to rear living area. Getting ready to go on trip I am going to put 1156 led bulbs in the lights and run 3 amp fuse due to the low amp draw of the LEDs understand from reading they draw less than 1/10 of a amp.
Nice talking to you and good luck with your travels,
Paul