As a sparky myself the only thing that would have helped him more in this would have been a label maker. The color code system is a decent alternative, but for me personally labels make things way easier. Really glad to see him torque everything. I know some sparkys that don't even pay attention to torquing.
Darren. Just bought a used RV. Have watched most of your videos. This video was the best explanation of electricity and how loose connections can cause you a lot of problems. I have already informed my wife that I will be pulling the power panel apart inside the RV to inspect closely before any trips this summer. Thank you for a great video and reminding us not to be complacent when dealing with general upkeep of our RV’s. Keep the videos coming.
You are an exceptional Technician/Teacher/Proctor. It is truly a pleasure to watch a true professional who not only enjoys what he does, but has integrity that he is passing on to the next generation! I myself I have about 40 years Emergency/ specialty vehicle repair, so I’ve been around the block once or twice. God Bless you Sir….. 🇺🇸
I am pondering to go to school to start the process of education on RVs! I was an electrician in the air force, went to a trade school for electronics, worked in a manufacturing environment on industrial equipment for 16 years, own a lawn care company! For some darn reason my wife and I want to go full time rving and I want to learn about RVs and mobile tech busines! If you was close to me I would pay you for me to learn from you! You rock sir, thank you for your service!
Don't ever apologize for rambling, because when you "ramble" it is VALUE. It's like free spins at the casino! I'm a reloader and have always struggled trying to wrap my mind around electricity so when you started talking about grains as an analogy, light bulbs went off. Thanks for what you're doing.
After watching your video I want to say that after many years of being around electricity, your explanation of it was so simple. I am a General class Ham Radio Operator and part of the license process is for us to understand electrical theory. In our classes they have never used common phrases to AC Volts, amps, impedence, resistance like you did. In 45 minutes I learned more than many years of very smart hams trying to use theory to get us to understand electricity. Keep up the good video's.
I just bought a motorhome and I have to rewire it and this video really gave me a better understanding of the way electricity works in a camper. 👍 Thanks
I just purchased an RV the video, was a little long, lol but the best one i found that actually helped me find the problem i was trying to find especially for a person like me that's never owned an RV, so i appreciate the vid, and the analogies..
I'm so excited that I'm not the only one that explains how things work and diy instructions with rambling, 2 or 3 analogies per step!! I have an obsessive compulsive need to understand anything that I do or attempt to fix, before I start doing it! Especially electricity! My dad is a retired master electrician that had his own business 35 plus years and was also a fireman for 28 years before getting his general contractor's license and building houses, (meaning he then subcontracted the electrical) working smart not hard! ... Rambling.... But my mom has an RV that has electrical problems, and I had a standard understanding of what could be causing burnt wires at the light bulb recepticals which also crumble take the burnt bulb out! So I appreciate all explainations and trouble shooting you detailed! I actually related and kept up with you!! I'll be following you for other helpful tips! Thanks again!
Thanks for the very loooooooooong explanation of the electrical system!! I stuck through to the end. Good stuff!! Years back I owned a pop up camper. I had left the dead battery in not knowing it could damage anything. I figured I didn't remote camp so no harm right? Well, I learned the hard way. Apparently, the electrical panel worked very hard at trying to charge a very dead battery. As a result, the converter fried the entire unit. I had to replace the unit...lesson learned. Fast forward a few years later, my wife smells something electrical burning. Same unit. The neutral lug became loose probably while traveling. The lug was pop-riveted on the panel and there was a lot of play in it. As a result, it melted the neutral a bit. RESISTANCE!!!! I drilled out the lug from the panel and bolted on a new lug. The unit has worked fine ever since.
The fact that you take so much time to explain things to your audience (soup to nuts) is top notch, NEVER stop! I have been researching Solar and Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries for my future RV, for almost 3 years now - and I still consider myself a total novice where electricity is involved. You made a brilliant point about connection points being the main failure in electricity flowing. I was not aware of how complicated the electrical panel in the RV was, and the chance that the builder may NOT have used proper gauge wiring or torquing specs. Jesus take the frigging wheel...I don't even have my RV yet (prob a class C around 26-28 ft with NO SLIDES) but I am trying to learn as much as I can about how an RV is put together and how everything flows, failure points, etc so I can be prepared for my future ordeals, which I know will be a part of owning one of these poorly built monsters of the camping set. Thank you again. Your video on rectifying the slideout issue (the chain/cable system) over the top of the slide...what a nightmare! Nope, no slides for me...
Thanks for the kind comments. Hopefully my series of videos will help you, and many others, in keeping their RV in Tip-Top shape and staying happy campers. Good luck in your future purchase and RV travels.
I think it was a Geat job at explaining from the ground up..lol. Actually, I'm in the process of teaching this info. to a lady friend of mine. She's eager to be self sufficient including Rig Maintenance. Now she's got additional reference material. Thanks.
I am a carpenter by trade, but have been trying to understand electrical concepts (on the molecular scale) for over 20 years. I've had to solve related electrical problems that are the nature of the industry, but the lessons everyone talks about are so homogenized ,that any hope of true learning, means thinking outside the invisible "magnetic field" (or box). Your explanation has given me the best understanding so far, of this remarkable force that dominates our universe.
Great lesson Darren. My mission is to be an informed and reasonably competent RV owner. My favorite nugget of knowledge that I am taking away from this video is my introduction to the torque screwdriver and where to look for the specs!
Dude, lol, my late husband was a master electrician and could NEVER explain ANY of this stuff to me, but you used all the right analogies and now I FINALLY get it! Tire pressure by gallons per minute, grains in a bullet, etc.? YES! I understand THOSE things so now I finally understand volts by watts, hz, etc.! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. Seriously, you have no idea how long I've been trying to wrap my head around those things so I could work on my RV properly and actually KNOW what I need!! YAY! LOL No really, thank you so much. wow
You are very welcome! I've been dealing with electricity since I was 7 working with my grandfather as an electrician helper - he died when I was 15 so I had several years to work with him. It also took me a while to get my head wrapped around all this but then all the sudden the thousand points of light came into focus and I understood. My explanations are not theoretically correct because electrons don't actually move they vibrate, but I think I was able to capture enough to help people understand the 80,000 ft view. Have a great New Year!
This is the best video for this topic I have found. You are a great teacher I belive I learned more in this video than iv ever learned from any book or website. thank you for this education
As much as I knew about electricity (I'm a Ham Radio Operator) I was unaware of torques on those screw connections. I knew they could loosen and needed to be checked / tightened annually. So "THANK YOU" for that piece of critical information. I had to replace several connections on my dropping panel in the rear of my motorhome due to a fire when the neutrals came loose! It smoked to circuit board too! Not sure which happened first, but a new board wasn't too much $$$. Now I will get one of those torqueing screw drivers - never heard of such a thing! Again, thank you Darren!!! Blessings your way!
I totally LOVE this electrician! I don't say this often man , but you have a passion for making certain you're understood, with explanations, examples, past job site situations yeah very through. I'm a framer with desire to learn as much as I can about electrical. I just found my go to guy for all things electrical. I'm moving into an RV that's been sitting for 20 years this video has saved me untold headaches learning about the importance of torque values for different gauge wires. Thank you so much
Good video, good explainations. I have been an instrument electrician for over 40 years with exp in residential, commercial, and Industrial electrical and mechanical. And I got a lot from your video about RVs. I have worked for several OEMs and none of them have ever torqued their screws. Since I now have a 1996 Winnebago Sunrise, I have ordered a torquing screwdriver and will check every connection. And I love how Winnebago connected 4 wires in-line to one wire going to 2 fuses in their chassis wiring. Yes one of the 4 wires came back and went to another fuse. What a cluster!
I just bought a 1981 RV class C. The original owner is a mechanic but that's not saying he is an electrician. All of the exterior (clearance lights) are not working. Other vids fixed this problem by replacing a fuse. Electricity is my weakest point probably because it is invisible. I can see why a meter (and knowing how to use it), is so important. Your vid is extremely helpful. I will probably need to buy a "Reading a Meter for Dummies" book.
This was the very best explaination I've ever heard for RV electrical. You made it clear enough for even a noobie like me to understand. I'm a college professor and I commend you on your use of analogy, backtracking for review and the injection of humor. That's how I teach too. The very, very best! I'm in Lake Stevens, just south of you, and I know who I'll call when I need RV help! Thank you!
Thanks, I'm a maintenance tech and I work with and around voltages from 5 vdc to 480 vac 3 phase on plant equipment and cnc's pretty much daily. I also just got a 1982 GMC Midas. It's a whole new prospective thinking rv and I Thank You for your videos and helping you sort these systems out. Thanks for the homework too!
You are an excellent teacher. Electricity is very hard to explain so people can understand. You did great with your analogies. I learned a lot from you.
Thanks so much for allyour time and energy. Anyone that owns an RV needs to watch this channel, even if they are getting someone else to fix their rv, because a lot of them do not know exactly what they are doing and you can watch them.
Finally, for 52 years minus child hood I have sought to understand electricity, really understand, and finally, I am getting so much clear direct images that show the real process that is occurring. I can see the parts of my systems now, grasp the way the energy moves, and why it moves, and the language to explain it. This is phenomenal. No one has ever allowed me into the mysteries of pure energy and the methods and procedures with which to manage it!!!!, with the clarity that worked for me, as this good man has done here. God bless America, we are pretty good folk after all !*!*! * :< )
I really enjoy your videos. As a plumber I’ve always been around electricity with only cursory understanding of how it works. As a new RVO owner I am more and more interested in understanding how it really works so I can maintain these systems myself so these videos are great. Thanks for putting it out there.
I’m going to take the knowledge you shared and try to replace my electrical service panel myself because Camping World said they can’t do it “in the field” and I can’t bring my unit in. So thank you for being so thorough!
I appreciate your attention to detail. I have learned so much in the few weeks I've watched your videos. I also want to commend you on your family friendly language, it's unfortunate that many presenters can't express themselves without using vulgarity. Keep up the great work.
Darin, I wish you would show the actual wiring of the panel. I have a lot of neutrals that are sharing the same terminals. Looking for the proper way to wire them. Thanks again for all your videos. They have all helped me on this journey!
If a Navajo and Hopi man here in the white man's English-speaking world of the United States can understand this video, then certainly anybody else in this world can.... you nailed it man.👍
I will be following all your videos concerning electrical service to my 2000 Newmar Mountain Aire. I have lost two Xantrex inverters. I expect to replace this last one with a better product.
Great video! Love the analogies to help us understand a bit more how electric current works. It just so happens I was camping this past weekend and my 12-volt interior lights were all flickering at the same time when the wind was blowing. Only happened a few times but I figured I had a bad ground somewhere. After you gave us our homework assignment lol, I went out and pulled the cover off my distribution panel of the jayco trailer. Even by looking at the ground coming back from the RV battery I could tell it was loose! You could move it back and forth with your fingers! Must have taken seven or eight turns with a screwdriver to get it tight. I'm sure one more trip would have caused me huge headaches! Thanks again.
When connecting stranded wires to that type of terminal, the quality and longevity of the connection is greatly improved when a ferrule is crimped on the wire first. The ferrule bonds all the strands together.
I discovered your channel a couple weeks and ago. It's one of the best channels out there. Thanks for sharing your expertise from a technical aspect to running a RV mobile tech business. I'm current rapping up my level two at RVTI in Elkhart IN.
I thoroughly enjoy listening to your explanations, I had a Stepfather that was Very thorough on explaining things so I could understand the functions of different mechanics ,,I Understand Your English My Good Man,,Remind Dakota NOBODY can teach you more that Your Dad.
Your always the first one I go to when I have a problem or I am thinking of up-grading or just want to confirm my own diagnosis. As usual you have saved me a replacement job and now I only need a slight up grade. Your the best and 100 dependable Darren. I never start a job without double checking with you. Also like the guy a head of me don't apologize for any rambling, I you always seem to manage to pass one no less than one and usually 2 or 3 solid tips that I always find insightful and helpful. In fact on several occasions those tips solved the problem and saved me a lot of time. God Bless and Thanks again!
Okay... Let me just say this... This is a fantastic video!!! I stumbled on your video after looking for some issues I am having with my propane system in my TT. I was working on my issue while your video was playing in the background. I have have stopped my project to watch and listen. I have a love for electricity as I have been in the industry for 20 years. My friend... the way you have explained things is on point.. This video will truly help folks trying to learn.. I am impressed. Well done Sir.
That is an awesome video. I love the first 20 minutes you explained how electricity works a grade 1 kid can understand. That’s exactly what I needed for understanding You have 1 follower more, you earned it
Nice video. The only thing that I would add is that electricity is caused by an imbalance. High energy on one side. Nature will not tolerate an imbalance. Like water, it is always trying to level out. If you ever see your voltage going real high and then real low, it is usually a broken neutral wire. Thanks for your videos. Really enjoy them.
Thanks for the comment David! I find myself going deeper and deeper into these topics and then try to stop myself - perhaps if I prepared a script I could present the information more coherently. I was an industrial automation systems engineer for over 25 years before I started this business (so I could be more involved in my kids childhood - engineering was great but no room for family balance eh') and I find myself jumping off the deep end with folks that may not know how to swim yet know what I mean? That is why I used the hot-potato and bicycle analogies, I made them up on the spot - I like your water analogy though! Cheers, Darren
The information is great! I made an RV 7 way tester like yours. Great idea! I drive film equipment and we are always having to quickly find solutions to all kinds of problems. Star trailers, 12v and 110 problems. Towing wiring problems. Great tip on being able to plug in the heating element for the refrigerator. If an actors refrig goes down, now I can be the hero until we can get it properly fixed. Thanks for making these videos!!
@@davidh7636 Thanks for watching and commenting. I have lots and lots of MacGyver type hacks to save the day. I hesitate sharing some because doing them bypasses the safety features - but sometimes you need to get something done to save the day. I hope I do not regret the frig heating element hack one day - LOL. More video's coming out filled with tips and tricks to help you be the hero! Perhaps they will make a movie about you one day!!! Cheers, Darren Koepp
If I'm remembering correctly, electrons flow due to a difference in potential between the two end points in the circuit. That's why your cars alternator charges at 14 or slightly more volts. The alternator creates the difference in potential between itself and the battery. Does that sound right to you? Like I said, I'm working from old memory..
Hi Darren, great video, just have an issue with one of your explanations: The "unbalanced" Neutral. On a 120V system (generally the 30A plug) the Neutral cannot be unbalanced, because it has nothing to balance out. Hot in, Neutral out, nothing to balance. On a 240V system (generally 50A) , you have L1 and L2 and that's where the balancing act comes into play. Often different appliances are plugged into either L1 or L2, lets say, the draw on L1 is 25A, on L2 is 15A. That's where the Neutral balances out the returning Amperage at the Neutral bar to a roughly 20A average return to the central Neutral in the net. And this is the only place where you easily can have a different Amperage reading with your Amp meter. Respectfully Peter Electricial Tradesman for 60 years and had the pleasure to work on RV's for the last four years.
I could easily be mistaken on this, but isn't it possible for the rig next to yours to cause an imbalance on the neutral AT THE POST? Notice ... I don't think this would effect heating at the circuit panel in your rig. I believe this WOULD explain heating of the neutral plugged into the post at an RV park. Any thoughts?
Thank you so much! I have searched for days trying to figure out why my neutrals were burned! I only opened up my panel to see if there was room to put a transfer switch behind it. OMG! That's when I discovered the neutral wires were toasted. All of them black, and the neutral from the shore power cord literally broke off of the buss bar when I touched it. The lug on that wire was welded to the bar. The ground from the shore was rubbed through and there was a melted corner of the bus bar where it touched the ground wire. I cut back what I could and rewired the neutrals and tightened them up as much as I could. But, when running the AC yesterday, I measured the temperature of the wires - 355F!!! I shut down the air conditioner and the temp decreased. Now, with just the AC for the fridge running, the temp is about ambient. After watching this, I wan't to flip off the entire panel and just run the DC and propane! Do I need to do what you've done here? Replace the (1999 30A) power center? I feel like I want to replace the shore power cord too. It's wired directly to the panel and not a 30F/30M - just a 30M. This is a 1999 Winnie Brave SE 29A (F53). Uggh. I could cry thinking about how me, my son, and 3 dogs could have burned alive in that motorhome :-( - we've camped in it every weekend for 2 months. Also, and I don't know if this is related, but before I discovered the burned wires, I had turned off the power to a circuit I was adding an outlet to (hybrid water heater addition). When I tested the circuit before cutting the wires, hot was 0V, neutral was 2V. When cutting the neutral wire, the GFI tripped at the outlet of my house where the MH is plugged in. The GFI in the MH did not (that was the circuit I was adding an outlet into). Would this indicate that there's an issue somewhere in that MH GFI? I also have a Hughes Power Watchdog EPO. It doesn't detect an open neutral (it can detect open neutral on the MH side and the pedestal side). I guess all of that was to ask; can all of this really be because of a loose connection at the neutral bar or could there be something going on up at the AC unit? Any help truly appreciated. I'm pretty handy, and if I can do this myself, I would rather do that then send it to an RV repair shop. But, I really need to make this safe before we take of in 10 days across country to the desert southwest.
Thanks for the vid, I am an old man that got thru doing most of my own fixing. Did not know about the 110 not being grounded to the RV frame. Now it makes perfect sense
Darren, Excellent video! I designed electrical systems for electrical contractors since 1983, and taught others for about 30 years. I never used some of your analogies, but I liked them. There a couple things that are a little off, but most will not know. In AC you pass your hot potatoes to the next person and get them back 60 times per second. Also, a 120 volt rms sine wave has peak voltage of 170 volts. A 240 volt rms sine wave has peak voltage of 339 volts. For those who say that the two 120 volts add together to get 240 volts, and that they are out of phase by 180 degrees, they only know what the were told or what an oscilloscope is showing. They do not truly understand. Keep up the great videos! Respectfully, Kevin
I like the way you use analogies and comparisons to explain electricity for Voltage and amps. Plus alternating current with the hot patato anoligies. I also have a better understanding of the Neutral wire.
Hi Darren, I must say this was a very through and helpful explanation of electricity and how it works. I came across your channel the other day,I have to say I pretty much watched all your videos , you do an outstanding job and I find them very informational and interesting to watch . I’m an aircraft technician by trade and have been RVing with with the family for years, I pretty much do all the work on my unit myself, I actually picked up a couple tips form a few of your videos. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for the kind comment and for being a part of this channel. My whole end-in-mind for this channel is so that folks can learn more about how to do some of these repairs themselves to save them on the repair bill. If I can do that then I have succeeded in my goal. We've got a busy summer season of repairs ahead of us and I plan on making many more videos so stay tuned.
Hi Jasper, We are so glad to hear that our videos were able to help you! If you would like to support us please consider becoming an "RV Community Supporter" on our Patreon site: www.patreon.com/myrvworks Happy Camping, My RV Works Media Team
It would be a blast working with you! I love trouble shooting and understanding electricity, circuits and controls etc.! I get pumped going through these videos with you! I've got to get back into HVAC or maybe even RV service. Thank's for all the fun!
Darren, the video was long but you covered a lot of theory. I like to use the water analogy, for resistance, I like to quote my electrical teacher, he told one student that to throw him into the hallway from the classroom there is less resistance if he opened the door first than if he didn't. I do not have a torque screwdriver and have always just used my own guess, I will be looking into a new driver as soon as I can find one here in Ontario. I have been around electrical for about fifty years and you are the first to point out torquing the screws to spec. I do not know anyone that has used an actual driver to check it. My dad was a full-time electrical contractor all his life. I will be soon. I will be going over the power panel in my Ibex trailer as soon as I get the new driver. A good job teaching your helper there well.
Thanks nice video neutral wires function and location still isn't set in my head.working for a electric motor and pump company. Part of our PM service was checking all those wire connections. I was always told 80% of most electrical problems are ground related. Sure enough especially working on cars for 45yrs most times the problem is ground related.
I retired after 34 years as a Movie Electrician and a huge problem we had was the 60 cycle (Herz) A.C. vibrating screws, etc. loose on our lighting equipment. Every house I ever lived in needed screws tightened in the Main Panel for the same reason. Halfway thru my career we began switching from D.C. to A.C. and Direct Current never gave us any vibration problems but with A.C. sometimes we had to smack the side of the light to stop the loud vibration of some part inside our lights because it was interferring with the sound being recorded. Another thing we learned was that with some loads the neutral wires had to equal the hot wires...120 volt black leg, 120 volt red leg to make 240 volts run through 4/0 cable required 2 @ 4/0 cables for the neutral return. I think another problem you might be having with RV panels is that many of the wires are multi-stranded instead of solid and squish out sideways when fastened.
Interesting story, thanks for sharing it's always good to learn more about different things out there in the world. What we find in an RV is solid Romex Wire for the AC circuits and stranded wire for the DC circuit's. That's if they build them correctly. One of the biggest offenders is the pedestal where the RVs plug into. They're like toilet seats and no one ever takes care of them. The guy before you could have had dirty prongs because he dragged his cord through the mud and then plugged it into the receptacle. Then you come along and plug in and your plug confronts resistance from this dirty plug. Therefor the electrons backup and create heat upstream in your RV!!!
At first, I thought this guy was pedantic and sped up 2 x. By the time I got to the end, I appreciated the video completely. Never knew there was a screwdriver for torquing.
I believe the relationship formula, E=IR would provide a clearer understanding. Where "E" (applied electromotive force measured in volts; "I" (current measured in amps and "R" is resistance measured in ohms. If the applied voltage remains the same, then any change in one of the other 2 measurements will produce the opposite movement in the OTHER measurement. In other words, if the current measured in amps increases, then the resistance measured in ohms DECREASES. "I"goes up; "R" goes down. If "I" goes down; "R" goes up. In the case of your "smoked" neutral connections, the increased resistance produced a change in the type of energy expanded. Electrical energy changes to THERMAL energy. Thermal energy then burned your neutral wires. I really enjoy your how-to videos.....keep them up and have a blessed day.
Typically when you find two cables connected to positive and two cables connected to negative, one set will go to your DC fuse box the other set will go to the battery. Hope this helps.
Hi Vic, We are so glad to hear that our videos were able to help you! If you would like to support us please consider becoming an "RV Community Supporter" on our Patreon site: www.patreon.com/myrvworks Happy Camping, My RV Works Media Team
In the email I referred to a lighting strike that took out power ,is wire I thought until now and receiving a power bill over $185.00 it has increased 25 or more every month and I thought air conditioning at first now ? I just don't know please help . I can do most anything with proper instruction and you are the only one I have found on here that gives specific numbers to your reasoning!!!
I have been in the electrical industry since 1975. I have 4 unrestricted Masters licenses. all I can say is, you are spot on.
As a sparky myself the only thing that would have helped him more in this would have been a label maker. The color code system is a decent alternative, but for me personally labels make things way easier. Really glad to see him torque everything. I know some sparkys that don't even pay attention to torquing.
I am 62 in 1976-77 i studied this ..our teacher used analogies like you . Thanks for the refresher !!
Darren. Just bought a used RV. Have watched most of your videos. This video was the best explanation of electricity and how loose connections can cause you a lot of problems. I have already informed my wife that I will be pulling the power panel apart inside the RV to inspect closely before any trips this summer. Thank you for a great video and reminding us not to be complacent when dealing with general upkeep of our RV’s. Keep the videos coming.
You are an exceptional Technician/Teacher/Proctor. It is truly a pleasure to watch a true professional who not only enjoys what he does, but has integrity that he is passing on to the next generation! I myself I have about 40 years Emergency/ specialty vehicle repair, so I’ve been around the block once or twice. God Bless you Sir….. 🇺🇸
Enjoyed the class. Love learning still at 67 years old. New sub and student. Thank you for your time to teach.
I am pondering to go to school to start the process of education on RVs! I was an electrician in the air force, went to a trade school for electronics, worked in a manufacturing environment on industrial equipment for 16 years, own a lawn care company! For some darn reason my wife and I want to go full time rving and I want to learn about RVs and mobile tech busines! If you was close to me I would pay you for me to learn from you! You rock sir, thank you for your service!
Don't ever apologize for rambling, because when you "ramble" it is VALUE. It's like free spins at the casino! I'm a reloader and have always struggled trying to wrap my mind around electricity so when you started talking about grains as an analogy, light bulbs went off. Thanks for what you're doing.
I understand electricity better than all my Engineering classes i ever took in high school thank you.
After watching your video I want to say that after many years of being around electricity, your explanation of it was so simple. I am a General class Ham Radio Operator and part of the license process is for us to understand electrical theory. In our classes they have never used common phrases to AC Volts, amps, impedence, resistance like you did. In 45 minutes I learned more than many years of very smart hams trying to use theory to get us to understand electricity. Keep up the good video's.
I just bought a motorhome and I have to rewire it and this video really gave me a better understanding of the way electricity works in a camper. 👍 Thanks
I just purchased an RV the video, was a little long, lol but the best one i found that actually helped me find the problem i was trying to find especially for a person like me that's never owned an RV, so i appreciate the vid, and the analogies..
I'm so excited that I'm not the only one that explains how things work and diy instructions with rambling, 2 or 3 analogies per step!! I have an obsessive compulsive need to understand anything that I do or attempt to fix, before I start doing it! Especially electricity! My dad is a retired master electrician that had his own business 35 plus years and was also a fireman for 28 years before getting his general contractor's license and building houses, (meaning he then subcontracted the electrical) working smart not hard! ... Rambling.... But my mom has an RV that has electrical problems, and I had a standard understanding of what could be causing burnt wires at the light bulb recepticals which also crumble take the burnt bulb out! So I appreciate all explainations and trouble shooting you detailed! I actually related and kept up with you!! I'll be following you for other helpful tips! Thanks again!
One of the best and informative videos I’ve seen. More inspection and regulations need to be enforced at manufacturing. Cheers
Thanks for the very loooooooooong explanation of the electrical system!! I stuck through to the end. Good stuff!! Years back I owned a pop up camper. I had left the dead battery in not knowing it could damage anything. I figured I didn't remote camp so no harm right? Well, I learned the hard way. Apparently, the electrical panel worked very hard at trying to charge a very dead battery. As a result, the converter fried the entire unit. I had to replace the unit...lesson learned. Fast forward a few years later, my wife smells something electrical burning. Same unit. The neutral lug became loose probably while traveling. The lug was pop-riveted on the panel and there was a lot of play in it. As a result, it melted the neutral a bit. RESISTANCE!!!! I drilled out the lug from the panel and bolted on a new lug. The unit has worked fine ever since.
The fact that you take so much time to explain things to your audience (soup to nuts) is top notch, NEVER stop! I have been researching Solar and Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries for my future RV, for almost 3 years now - and I still consider myself a total novice where electricity is involved. You made a brilliant point about connection points being the main failure in electricity flowing. I was not aware of how complicated the electrical panel in the RV was, and the chance that the builder may NOT have used proper gauge wiring or torquing specs. Jesus take the frigging wheel...I don't even have my RV yet (prob a class C around 26-28 ft with NO SLIDES) but I am trying to learn as much as I can about how an RV is put together and how everything flows, failure points, etc so I can be prepared for my future ordeals, which I know will be a part of owning one of these poorly built monsters of the camping set. Thank you again. Your video on rectifying the slideout issue (the chain/cable system) over the top of the slide...what a nightmare! Nope, no slides for me...
Thanks for the kind comments. Hopefully my series of videos will help you, and many others, in keeping their RV in Tip-Top shape and staying happy campers. Good luck in your future purchase and RV travels.
Class C. Look under the couch. You will all the wires in one pile.
"Find"
I think it was a Geat job at explaining from the ground up..lol. Actually, I'm in the process of teaching this info. to a lady friend of mine. She's eager to be self sufficient including Rig Maintenance. Now she's got additional reference material. Thanks.
I am a carpenter by trade, but have been trying to understand electrical concepts (on the molecular scale) for over 20 years. I've had to solve related electrical problems that are the nature of the industry, but the lessons everyone talks about are so homogenized ,that any hope of true learning, means thinking outside the invisible "magnetic field" (or box). Your explanation has given me the best understanding so far, of this remarkable force that dominates our universe.
You are an Awesome Individual. Thank you for your time and caring for others.
Great lesson Darren. My mission is to be an informed and reasonably competent RV owner. My favorite nugget of knowledge that I am taking away from this video is my introduction to the torque screwdriver and where to look for the specs!
Dude, lol, my late husband was a master electrician and could NEVER explain ANY of this stuff to me, but you used all the right analogies and now I FINALLY get it! Tire pressure by gallons per minute, grains in a bullet, etc.? YES! I understand THOSE things so now I finally understand volts by watts, hz, etc.! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. Seriously, you have no idea how long I've been trying to wrap my head around those things so I could work on my RV properly and actually KNOW what I need!! YAY! LOL No really, thank you so much. wow
You are very welcome! I've been dealing with electricity since I was 7 working with my grandfather as an electrician helper - he died when I was 15 so I had several years to work with him. It also took me a while to get my head wrapped around all this but then all the sudden the thousand points of light came into focus and I understood. My explanations are not theoretically correct because electrons don't actually move they vibrate, but I think I was able to capture enough to help people understand the 80,000 ft view. Have a great New Year!
This is the best video for this topic I have found.
You are a great teacher I belive I learned more in this video than iv ever learned from any book or website.
thank you for this education
I've only been training as an rv tech for 4 years, and I am picking up a lot of things that will help me help customers better. Thank you
The wire size determines the breaker size !!!!! My Eureka Moment !!!! THANK YOU !!! Awesome videos, Darren, thank you SO much. Bob in Grand Rapids, MI
As much as I knew about electricity (I'm a Ham Radio Operator) I was unaware of torques on those screw connections. I knew they could loosen and needed to be checked / tightened annually. So "THANK YOU" for that piece of critical information. I had to replace several connections on my dropping panel in the rear of my motorhome due to a fire when the neutrals came loose! It smoked to circuit board too! Not sure which happened first, but a new board wasn't too much $$$. Now I will get one of those torqueing screw drivers - never heard of such a thing! Again, thank you Darren!!! Blessings your way!
I totally LOVE this electrician! I don't say this often man , but you have a passion for making certain you're understood, with explanations, examples, past job site situations yeah very through. I'm a framer with desire to learn as much as I can about electrical. I just found my go to guy for all things electrical. I'm moving into an RV that's been sitting for 20 years this video has saved me untold headaches learning about the importance of torque values for different gauge wires. Thank you so much
Good video, good explainations.
I have been an instrument electrician for over 40 years with exp in residential, commercial, and Industrial electrical and mechanical.
And I got a lot from your video about RVs.
I have worked for several OEMs and none of them have ever torqued their screws.
Since I now have a 1996 Winnebago Sunrise, I have ordered a torquing screwdriver and will check every connection.
And I love how Winnebago connected 4 wires in-line to one wire going to 2 fuses in their chassis wiring. Yes one of the 4 wires came back and went to another fuse. What a cluster!
I just bought a 1981 RV class C. The original owner is a mechanic but that's not saying he is an electrician. All of the exterior (clearance lights) are not working. Other vids fixed this problem by replacing a fuse. Electricity is my weakest point probably because it is invisible. I can see why a meter (and knowing how to use it), is so important. Your vid is extremely helpful. I will probably need to buy a "Reading a Meter for Dummies" book.
One of the best videos on electricity I have ever seen. Great job.
This was the very best explaination I've ever heard for RV electrical. You made it clear enough for even a noobie like me to understand. I'm a college professor and I commend you on your use of analogy, backtracking for review and the injection of humor. That's how I teach too. The very, very best! I'm in Lake Stevens, just south of you, and I know who I'll call when I need RV help! Thank you!
Thanks, I'm a maintenance tech and I work with and around voltages from 5 vdc to 480 vac 3 phase on plant equipment and cnc's pretty much daily. I also just got a 1982 GMC Midas. It's a whole new prospective thinking rv and I Thank You for your videos and helping you sort these systems out. Thanks for the homework too!
You are an excellent teacher. Electricity is very hard to explain so people can understand. You did great with your analogies. I learned a lot from you.
Thanks so much for allyour time and energy. Anyone that owns an RV needs to watch this channel, even if they are getting someone else to fix their rv, because a lot of them do not know exactly what they are doing and you can watch them.
Thanks for the understandable but thorough video. I've run into problems cause I didn't get enough information. Really appreciated.
Finally, for 52 years minus child hood I have sought to understand electricity, really understand, and finally, I am getting so much clear direct images that show the real process that is occurring. I can see the parts of my systems now, grasp the way the energy moves, and why it moves, and the language to explain it.
This is phenomenal.
No one has ever allowed me into the mysteries of pure energy and the methods and procedures with which to manage it!!!!, with the clarity that worked for me, as this good man has done here.
God bless America, we are pretty good folk after all !*!*! * :< )
I really enjoy your videos. As a plumber I’ve always been around electricity with only cursory understanding of how it works. As a new RVO owner I am more and more interested in understanding how it really works so I can maintain these systems myself so these videos are great. Thanks for putting it out there.
I’m going to take the knowledge you shared and try to replace my electrical service panel myself because Camping World said they can’t do it “in the field” and I can’t bring my unit in. So thank you for being so thorough!
Great teaching delivery. Thankyou I'm 68yo
Really excellent instruction! When you said “I have no idea” I thought what? what? Got me! 😂😂😂
Absolutely excellent explanation of how a/c works etc electricity. Best one I've ever heard. Thanks! 👍👍
I am hooked on your content! You are an excellent Instructor. I know more about electricity than ever before!
Thanks Again Darren
Analogies helps; you remind me of those memorable teachers that enjoyed teaching, with patience. Thank you, now please continue professor. :-)
First time watched, n found your vidieos.
Very big help. I'm 64 disabled.thisis al I can aford to live in. 08 summerland camper.
I appreciate your attention to detail. I have learned so much in the few weeks I've watched your videos. I also want to commend you on your family friendly language, it's unfortunate that many presenters can't express themselves without using vulgarity. Keep up the great work.
Darin, I wish you would show the actual wiring of the panel. I have a lot of neutrals that are sharing the same terminals. Looking for the proper way to wire them. Thanks again for all your videos. They have all helped me on this journey!
If a Navajo and Hopi man here in the white man's English-speaking world of the United States can understand this video, then certainly anybody else in this world can.... you nailed it man.👍
Good stuff! Thanks for all the info and advice. Reafirms that preventive maintenance saves time, month, property and, possibly, lives!
I will be following all your videos concerning electrical service to my 2000 Newmar Mountain Aire. I have lost two Xantrex inverters. I expect to replace this last one with a better product.
That was an EXCELLENT video on electric. Great job again ! Thank You Very Much. I saved as a reference video.
I'm going to watch this video again. Thanx for the Education. Good Job.
Great video! Love the analogies to help us understand a bit more how electric current works.
It just so happens I was camping this past weekend and my 12-volt interior lights were all flickering at the same time when the wind was blowing. Only happened a few times but I figured I had a bad ground somewhere. After you gave us our homework assignment lol, I went out and pulled the cover off my distribution panel of the jayco trailer. Even by looking at the ground coming back from the RV battery I could tell it was loose! You could move it back and forth with your fingers! Must have taken seven or eight turns with a screwdriver to get it tight. I'm sure one more trip would have caused me huge headaches! Thanks again.
Teacher of the year
Man, what a Great video. Your teaching style matches up to my learning style. Excellent job!
When connecting stranded wires to that type of terminal, the quality and longevity of the connection is greatly improved when a ferrule is crimped on the wire first. The ferrule bonds all the strands together.
Great to video with great descriptions of AC/DC, induction, voltage and amperage. Thank you very much for this video.
I discovered your channel a couple weeks and ago. It's one of the best channels out there. Thanks for sharing your expertise from a technical aspect to running a RV mobile tech business. I'm current rapping up my level two at RVTI in Elkhart IN.
Outstanding Darren! Came into learn about converters and ended up learning other things! I never knew about torquing screwdrivers.
Thanks Darren, I’m sitting here having my supper and your vlogs are my go to info for future projects,thanks for the tips.
This a fantastic video. Your explanation s really clarified electrical terms. The wiring problems and solutions
were elucidated very well. Thank you
I thoroughly enjoy listening to your explanations, I had a Stepfather that was Very thorough on explaining things so I could understand the functions of different mechanics ,,I Understand Your English My Good Man,,Remind Dakota NOBODY can teach you more that Your Dad.
Electrical Torc Inch screwdriver... ok adding to my list.... much appreciated!
this is absolutely superb, amazing to have this resource so close to Victoria, BC
Excellent!. Thank you for the video, your diagnostic approach is top notch. Please continue to make these video's.
Another great explanation of how things work in our rv's. Thank you!
Darren, this is the absolute BEST video of all that I have watched of many. I really like electrical work. Thanks.
I wish teachers could explain the way you did. Great job
That was ALL very, Very, VERY GOOD…..Thanks Daren…!!!
Great information, thanks for sharing. Going to go outside and do some home work.
Your always the first one I go to when I have a problem or I am thinking of up-grading or just want to confirm my own diagnosis. As usual you have saved me a replacement job and now I only need a slight up grade. Your the best and 100 dependable Darren. I never start a job without double checking with you. Also like the guy a head of me don't apologize for any rambling, I you always seem to manage to pass one no less than one and usually 2 or 3 solid tips that I always find insightful and helpful. In fact on several occasions those tips solved the problem and saved me a lot of time. God Bless and Thanks again!
Okay... Let me just say this... This is a fantastic video!!! I stumbled on your video after looking for some issues I am having with my propane system in my TT. I was working on my issue while your video was playing in the background. I have have stopped my project to watch and listen. I have a love for electricity as I have been in the industry for 20 years. My friend... the way you have explained things is on point.. This video will truly help folks trying to learn.. I am impressed. Well done Sir.
Very thorough. . explained things understandably
Without a doubt, the best RV channel. Awesome explination!
I like the rambling myself. A lot more info falls out 👍
That is an awesome video. I love the first 20 minutes you explained how electricity works a grade 1 kid can understand.
That’s exactly what I needed for understanding
You have 1 follower more, you earned it
Nice video. The only thing that I would add is that electricity is caused by an imbalance. High energy on one side. Nature will not tolerate an imbalance. Like water, it is always trying to level out. If you ever see your voltage going real high and then real low, it is usually a broken neutral wire. Thanks for your videos. Really enjoy them.
Thanks for the comment David! I find myself going deeper and deeper into these topics and then try to stop myself - perhaps if I prepared a script I could present the information more coherently. I was an industrial automation systems engineer for over 25 years before I started this business (so I could be more involved in my kids childhood - engineering was great but no room for family balance eh') and I find myself jumping off the deep end with folks that may not know how to swim yet know what I mean? That is why I used the hot-potato and bicycle analogies, I made them up on the spot - I like your water analogy though!
Cheers,
Darren
The information is great! I made an RV 7 way tester like yours. Great idea! I drive film equipment and we are always having to quickly find solutions to all kinds of problems. Star trailers, 12v and 110 problems. Towing wiring problems. Great tip on being able to plug in the heating element for the refrigerator. If an actors refrig goes down, now I can be the hero until we can get it properly fixed. Thanks for making these videos!!
@@davidh7636 Thanks for watching and commenting. I have lots and lots of MacGyver type hacks to save the day. I hesitate sharing some because doing them bypasses the safety features - but sometimes you need to get something done to save the day. I hope I do not regret the frig heating element hack one day - LOL.
More video's coming out filled with tips and tricks to help you be the hero! Perhaps they will make a movie about you one day!!!
Cheers,
Darren Koepp
If I'm remembering correctly, electrons flow due to a difference in potential between the two end points in the circuit. That's why your cars alternator charges at 14 or slightly more volts. The alternator creates the difference in potential between itself and the battery. Does that sound right to you? Like I said, I'm working from old memory..
The analogies were spot on. Good communication
Thank you for all the detail and explanations!
Hi Darren,
great video, just have an issue with one of your explanations: The "unbalanced" Neutral. On a 120V system (generally the 30A plug) the Neutral cannot be unbalanced, because it has nothing to balance out. Hot in, Neutral out, nothing to balance. On a 240V system (generally 50A) , you have L1 and L2 and that's where the balancing act comes into play. Often different appliances are plugged into either L1 or L2, lets say, the draw on L1 is 25A, on L2 is 15A. That's where the Neutral balances out the returning Amperage at the Neutral bar to a roughly 20A average return to the central Neutral in the net. And this is the only place where you easily can have a different Amperage reading with your Amp meter.
Respectfully
Peter
Electricial Tradesman for 60 years and had the pleasure to work on RV's for the last four years.
I could easily be mistaken on this, but isn't it possible for the rig next to yours to cause an imbalance on the neutral AT THE POST? Notice ... I don't think this would effect heating at the circuit panel in your rig. I believe this WOULD explain heating of the neutral plugged into the post at an RV park. Any thoughts?
I wish I could like these videos twice!
Thank you so much! I have searched for days trying to figure out why my neutrals were burned! I only opened up my panel to see if there was room to put a transfer switch behind it. OMG! That's when I discovered the neutral wires were toasted. All of them black, and the neutral from the shore power cord literally broke off of the buss bar when I touched it. The lug on that wire was welded to the bar. The ground from the shore was rubbed through and there was a melted corner of the bus bar where it touched the ground wire. I cut back what I could and rewired the neutrals and tightened them up as much as I could. But, when running the AC yesterday, I measured the temperature of the wires - 355F!!! I shut down the air conditioner and the temp decreased. Now, with just the AC for the fridge running, the temp is about ambient. After watching this, I wan't to flip off the entire panel and just run the DC and propane! Do I need to do what you've done here? Replace the (1999 30A) power center? I feel like I want to replace the shore power cord too. It's wired directly to the panel and not a 30F/30M - just a 30M. This is a 1999 Winnie Brave SE 29A (F53). Uggh. I could cry thinking about how me, my son, and 3 dogs could have burned alive in that motorhome :-( - we've camped in it every weekend for 2 months.
Also, and I don't know if this is related, but before I discovered the burned wires, I had turned off the power to a circuit I was adding an outlet to (hybrid water heater addition). When I tested the circuit before cutting the wires, hot was 0V, neutral was 2V. When cutting the neutral wire, the GFI tripped at the outlet of my house where the MH is plugged in. The GFI in the MH did not (that was the circuit I was adding an outlet into). Would this indicate that there's an issue somewhere in that MH GFI?
I also have a Hughes Power Watchdog EPO. It doesn't detect an open neutral (it can detect open neutral on the MH side and the pedestal side).
I guess all of that was to ask; can all of this really be because of a loose connection at the neutral bar or could there be something going on up at the AC unit? Any help truly appreciated. I'm pretty handy, and if I can do this myself, I would rather do that then send it to an RV repair shop. But, I really need to make this safe before we take of in 10 days across country to the desert southwest.
Thanks for the vid, I am an old man that got thru doing most of my own fixing. Did not know about the 110 not being grounded to the RV frame. Now it makes perfect sense
Happy to help shed some light on the topic (pun intended!)
Thanks for the comment.
Cheers,
Darren
Darren, Excellent video! I designed electrical systems for electrical contractors since 1983, and taught others for about 30 years. I never used some of your analogies, but I liked them. There a couple things that are a little off, but most will not know. In AC you pass your hot potatoes to the next person and get them back 60 times per second. Also, a 120 volt rms sine wave has peak voltage of 170 volts. A 240 volt rms sine wave has peak voltage of 339 volts. For those who say that the two 120 volts add together to get 240 volts, and that they are out of phase by 180 degrees, they only know what the were told or what an oscilloscope is showing. They do not truly understand.
Keep up the great videos!
Respectfully, Kevin
Doesn’t the voltage difference have something to do with the vector angles?
I like the way you use analogies and comparisons to explain electricity for Voltage and amps. Plus alternating current with the hot patato anoligies. I also have a better understanding of the Neutral wire.
Hi Darren,
I must say this was a very through and helpful explanation of electricity and how it works. I came across your channel the other day,I have to say I pretty much watched all your videos , you do an outstanding job and I find them very informational and interesting to watch . I’m an aircraft technician by trade and have been RVing with with the family for years, I pretty much do all the work on my unit myself, I actually picked up a couple tips form a few of your videos. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for the kind comment and for being a part of this channel. My whole end-in-mind for this channel is so that folks can learn more about how to do some of these repairs themselves to save them on the repair bill. If I can do that then I have succeeded in my goal. We've got a busy summer season of repairs ahead of us and I plan on making many more videos so stay tuned.
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I watched almost every second. Love ya brother. Thanks for all the new info.
Your videos helped me diagnose a bad converter.
Very well explained, this is very important. This guy gives you an education about it. I really enjoyed it
Hi Jasper,
We are so glad to hear that our videos were able to help you! If you would like to support us please consider becoming an "RV Community Supporter" on our Patreon site: www.patreon.com/myrvworks
Happy Camping,
My RV Works Media Team
It would be a blast working with you! I love trouble shooting and understanding electricity, circuits and controls etc.! I get pumped going through these videos with you! I've got to get back into HVAC or maybe even RV service. Thank's for all the fun!
I am so glad I found your video's, they are very helpful to me as I'm living in my little trailer and need to be able to troubleshoot and fix myself.
Darren, the video was long but you covered a lot of theory. I like to use the water analogy, for resistance, I like to quote my electrical teacher, he told one student that to throw him into the hallway from the classroom there is less resistance if he opened the door first than if he didn't. I do not have a torque screwdriver and have always just used my own guess, I will be looking into a new driver as soon as I can find one here in Ontario. I have been around electrical for about fifty years and you are the first to point out torquing the screws to spec. I do not know anyone that has used an actual driver to check it. My dad was a full-time electrical contractor all his life. I will be soon. I will be going over the power panel in my Ibex trailer as soon as I get the new driver. A good job teaching your helper there well.
Thanks nice video neutral wires function and location still isn't set in my head.working for a electric motor and pump company. Part of our PM service was checking all those wire connections. I was always told 80% of most electrical problems are ground related. Sure enough especially working on cars for 45yrs most times the problem is ground related.
I retired after 34 years as a Movie Electrician and a huge problem we had was the 60 cycle (Herz) A.C. vibrating screws, etc. loose on our lighting equipment. Every house I ever lived in needed screws tightened in the Main Panel for the same reason. Halfway thru my career we began switching from D.C. to A.C. and Direct Current never gave us any vibration problems but with A.C. sometimes we had to smack the side of the light to stop the loud vibration of some part inside our lights because it was interferring with the sound being recorded. Another thing we learned was that with some loads the neutral wires had to equal the hot wires...120 volt black leg, 120 volt red leg to make 240 volts run through 4/0 cable required 2 @ 4/0 cables for the neutral return. I think another problem you might be having with RV panels is that many of the wires are multi-stranded instead of solid and squish out sideways when fastened.
Interesting story, thanks for sharing it's always good to learn more about different things out there in the world. What we find in an RV is solid Romex Wire for the AC circuits and stranded wire for the DC circuit's. That's if they build them correctly. One of the biggest offenders is the pedestal where the RVs plug into. They're like toilet seats and no one ever takes care of them. The guy before you could have had dirty prongs because he dragged his cord through the mud and then plugged it into the receptacle. Then you come along and plug in and your plug confronts resistance from this dirty plug. Therefor the electrons backup and create heat upstream in your RV!!!
Very good explanation I have checked my plug running 100 degrees. Have seen some of rubber looks melted. Prongs look good. Should I change out my plug
At first, I thought this guy was pedantic and sped up 2 x. By the time I got to the end, I appreciated the video completely. Never knew there was a screwdriver for torquing.
I believe the relationship formula, E=IR would provide a clearer understanding. Where "E" (applied electromotive force measured in volts; "I" (current measured in amps and "R" is resistance measured in ohms. If the applied voltage remains the same, then any change in one of the other 2 measurements will produce the opposite movement in the OTHER measurement. In other words, if the current measured in amps increases, then the resistance measured in ohms DECREASES. "I"goes up; "R" goes down. If "I" goes down; "R" goes up. In the case of your "smoked" neutral connections, the increased resistance produced a change in the type of energy expanded. Electrical energy changes to THERMAL energy. Thermal energy then burned your neutral wires. I really enjoy your how-to videos.....keep them up and have a blessed day.
Thanks, thanks, and thanks again for all your time! i watch all your videos and they help me learn.
Hi great videos lots of info .
Why does my converter have 2 cables coming of the pos & neg terminals
Tks Winston
From Newfoundland Canada
Typically when you find two cables connected to positive and two cables connected to negative, one set will go to your DC fuse box the other set will go to the battery. Hope this helps.
What a great video, start to finish. Great job.
Ex marine? Thanks for your service my brother
A little long winded but well worth watching. Excellent video!
Hi Vic,
We are so glad to hear that our videos were able to help you! If you would like to support us please consider becoming an "RV Community Supporter" on our Patreon site: www.patreon.com/myrvworks
Happy Camping,
My RV Works Media Team
In the email I referred to a lighting strike that took out power ,is wire I thought until now and receiving a power bill over $185.00 it has increased 25 or more every month and I thought air conditioning at first now ? I just don't know please help . I can do most anything with proper instruction and you are the only one I have found on here that gives specific numbers to your reasoning!!!
Thank you very much I'm glad I found your Channel you did a great job thank you