It wasn't but a few minutes after we'd been doing a little roof work on our "camper project," that another problem surfaced: All the fluorescent lights and the bathroom light "quit" working. What happened here, let's see. Ah, yes! The luggage rack seemed a little wobbly, as did the roof access ladder, and a new set of lag screws had been introduced to try and shore up the situation. Did one of those new screws sabotage the circuit? (Word freaks, stick around, we'll discuss that old origin of "sabotage" question at the end of this entry).Poking around in the fuse panel revealed a definitely "blown" fuse, but was this the whole story? If only we knew just where the wires ran, it would make the whole job of trying to resurrect the lights much easier. Since the rig is an "orphan," -- it's manufacturer having gone out of the camper business long ago, we despaired. However, a Google search led us to others who had success in finding diagrams for their more current rigs. Hence, we took courage and phoned phleetwood. A sympathetic listener at the other end of the line took the request, even called back later asking for a VIN number, and next morning, hot off the e-mail, a five page wiring schematic for our out-of-production rig.
Long story short department: It didn't take long to figure out a pretty likely "point of impact" for our errant lag screw. We'll attack the roof shortly, and armed with the schematics, if worse comes to worse, we may have a hand on a "work around" solution if it comes to that. Moral of the story: Even if your rig is out of production, if the company still exists, give them a call and ask about the possibility of getting schematics. They may even give them to your for free!
And a word about sabotage: Star Trek fans, while it's a popular notion that throwing sabots (French for clog) into powered looms could "clog up the works," there doesn't appear to be any credible report of such a sandal scandal. More likely, since the word sabot can also be reckoned as a literal clog, the sound made by someone clunking around in clogs leads to the word, saboter. Such walking was oft associated with clumsiness, and later extended to deliberate clumsiness that damaged machinery.
Photo: Looks like the tech writer after a bad day searching for shorts. Credit DerrickT on flickr.com
3 comments:
In 1998 we bought a Jayco Eagle (23' Class C). In about 2000 we were touring their plant in Indiana and asked for a wiring diagram. No such thing .. the plant did not have one.
We have a brand new 07 Forest River Sierra 5th Wheel and wanted the schematic so we could place our computer equipment in the best place withouth breakers tripping. Called Forest River and was told "not available". Guess we will have to hire an electrician.
happened by here by chance ... but I've read on a couple forums that Winniebaygo offers their manuals, schematics, etc. right from their web site ... seems like a winner to me
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