RV Fuse Panel Diagram (Location, Replacement, Helpful Guide)
Knowing where everything is. This is a difficult task for even the smartest people. RVs are filled with parts and without diagrams and charts, it is hard to remember where they all are. When you are doing electrical work you need a diagram or you may snip the wrong wire or pull the wrong fuse.
The fuse box or panel will lie somewhere between your batteries and the different electrical devices they are designed to protect. Plus, there may be an independent fuse between the fuse panel and the batteries and one between the fuse panel and the inverter.
To learn more about the fuse panel and its location, just continue to read our article. It explores this issue so that you have the best information possible. Of course, we can only provide limited information as there are too many years and models of RVs to cover them all
RV Fuse Panel 101
Where is The Fuse Panel in My RV?
This will be determined by the year and model of your RV. When RV makers roll out newer models they usually make design changes. The different companies find different locations that they think will be the best fit for those models.
For example on some older or even newer models, the fuse panel could be hidden under the RV storage compartment. Or they may be hidden in a cupboard or under a bed. If your owner’s manual doesn’t tell you the exact location, you would have to call the dealer and ask him.
Usually, if you find the fuse panel, you will also find the circuit breaker panel. The two electrical components are often in the same location. But finding them may be a bit of a game as one member of a discussion forum posted this same question and he was getting different answers from owners of the same RV model.
One answer was in the bedroom, near the floor and facing the kitchen. Another place was in the kitchen. These answers were for the 2020 Imagine XLS 22RBE. So you can see that it is not going to be easy all the time to find the fuse box.
RV Fuse Panel Location
One of the first things you should learn about an RV is that breakers are for 110 volts AC and that fuses are for 12-volt DC electrical currents. Do not confuse the two as they are often located, but not always, near each other.
Then you should be aware that both RVs and trailers have fuses and breakers unless they are wired differently. Some trailer models come with one electrical current and not both but those are usually the smaller ones with few features inside.
Then you need to keep in the back of your mind that you cannot reset fuses. Once they blow they have to be replaced. It is not a difficult job to do that, just make sure to turn the main power off before making the change. This means you should carry a few spares to make sure you are covered when they blow.
With all of that said, you should look for the fuse panel somewhere between the battery and the 12-volt components they are protecting. Since those components are in different locations the fuse panel should be closer to the batteries but not always.
It all depends on how the RV makers wire their RVs and trailers.
How do You Know If an RV Fuse is Blown?
There is no such thing as a stupid question. Some people do not know or can tell if the fuse has blown or not. The first clue will be that specific component in your RV or trailer will not work. This is just a clue as there are other electrical issues that cause components to not start.
You will have to have a tester handy when you get to the fuse panel. The reason for saying this is that on some fuses they may not look like they have blown. This has happened to many people over the years. The design of the fuse can shield your eyes from the smoke gray color that normally appears when a fuse blows.
Or the fuse interior strip barely cracks that it is hard to see if it has blown or not. If you can’t tell if the fuse is blown or not, you need to use the tester to make sure. A fuse tester looks like a screwdriver but instead of a solid handle, it will have transparent coloring and alight inside the handle.
If it doesn’t light, you know you have a bad fuse and you just go to your stash and find the right one to replace it. Make sure to replace it with the same rating and not lower.
How To Check Fuses in RV
The first thing to do is to check the power switches a couple of times to make sure the component is not working. Sometimes the problem can be loose wiring or corrosion in the switch and not the fuse.
You will have to decide if you want to pull the switch and check it out or go straight to the fuse panel. It doesn’t matter the order if it isn’t one it could be the other. When you go check the fuse panel make sure to bring your tester along with you.
You can either pull different fuses out and give them a visual inspection. Normally, this is all you need to do because most blown fuses are easy to spot. You will see a break in the interior strip.
But these breaks are not always easy to see. That is where the tester comes in. You just touch the right spot on the fuse and if it lights up, you move on to the next fuse. Some people like to use a multimeter but in this case, that should be your last option.
You use this if your tester does not work or it is not lighting up for some reason. That may be the case as there are independent fuses
RV Fuse Panel Buzzing
This happens more than you think. One source for this noise could be the controller. If it has gone bad or is in need of resetting, then it would make this buzzing sound. In most cases, the controller simply needed to be reset and you do that by unplugging the controller. There is more than one wire to this device.
Or the thermostat has gone bad and you would need to repair or replace it. Also, the controller may just be making noise. Some are louder than others and there is little you can do about it.
But these are not the only possibilities. Sometimes loose wires will trigger the humming noise as will a slightly tripped breaker. One more possibility would be that you are using too many appliances at one time.
30 amp supply can easily be overloaded and cause this buzzing. You do need to manage your electrical equipment. The best way to solve this problem would be to call in a technician. He has the right equipment and experience to track down the source of the noise and fix it.
Just make sure to make the call after you turn off some of the electrical appliances that are running at the same time. This may solve your problem and need for an electrician.
RV Fuse Box Clicking
You may hear this from time to time. It is also not a rare issue and the fix may be a replacement and not a repair. By that, we mean that one source could be the inverter charger. if it is failing or has gone bad, you will hear a clicking noise.
The only thing you can do is replace the part. When the inverter charger is not putting out enough electricity, the clicking will begin. It can be intermittent and do it when your RV is plugged in.
Another possibility would be the thermal auto reset circuit breaker. If it is starting to fail that clicking noise could be a sign that it too needs to be replaced. Other possibilities include a bad battery, battery connections have a problem or there is too low of a charge in the battery.
Then it could be that the battery shorted the converter or it is overheating. That means the fan may have stopped working. To find the source you can use a meter. But it is best if you call in an electrician.
Experienced help is better than DIY when it comes to electrical issues. Especially when you are in over your head when it comes to electrical systems.
What Fuses To Use in RV?
There will be several different types of fuses you will need to use in your RV, etc. The good news is that the different sizes are color-coded so you can identify them easily. Different electrical devices need different fuses.
There is no such thing as one size fits all. You will need to replace a small-sized fuse with the same small size and on up the scale it goes. For example, an RV fan may use a 1-amp fuse. That fuse needs to be replaced by a 1-amp fuse.
The sizes vary as an RV will need a 1, 7.5, a 15, a 20, and even a 30-amp fuse, if you are on a 30-amp. If you are on a 50-amp system, then you will have to go higher in some cases. The size of the fuse you need depends on how your RV or trailer is wired.
The best thing about fuses is that you do not have to remember each one. They are all marked and have different colors on them so all you do is match the number and the color and you are done. This is not rocket science and anyone can handle replacing a fuse.
How do You Wire a Camper Fuse Box?
This just takes a little time and the right supplies. The first step is to determine what size of electrical box you will need. it could be a 30-amp size or a 50-amp size. Then the next step is to go out and buy a waterproof electrical hook-up box.
There are different designs so make sure you know which design is best for your system. When you get back to your RV, pick a spot that is safe from the rain and any accidental contact.
Now you add in a master disconnect switch for protection along with the right circuit breaker size. Then connect your 10 gauge 3-core wire for 30-amp service and 10 gauge 4-core wire for 50-amp service. That is all there is to it.
We will caution that if you are nervous or do not like working with electricity or are a novice, you should call in a skilled electrician. They know exactly what you will need, how to hook everything up right, and find the right location for the box, and the wiring.
It is best to have an experienced electrician do these types of jobs. Then you know it is done right and you can relax a little when you use the system
RV Fuse Panel Replacement
There are many different designs for RV fuse box replacements. The key to replacing the fuse box will be knowing the type of fuse design you need. There are several different designs and the electrical system can employ one, two, or sometimes more.
The modern designs are the blade options that are colored-coded. There are more than enough designs and sizes to accommodate you when you look for a replacement. Just match the current one in your RV or trailer to get the right size and design.
Keep in mind that fuses and circuit breakers are not the same. Fuses are for 12-volt systems and breakers are for 110 service. You do not want to mix and match or connect the wrong panel to the system
Also, you have to know how many amps your RV, etc., is wired for. You cannot use a 30-amp fuse box on a 50-amp system. Again, we would suggest and advise that you o with an experienced electrician.
While they are not perfect, your replacement task will go a lot smoother and a lot better. Sometimes inexperienced or even experienced DIY handymen can make mistakes that can be costly. Take the safest option for you.
Oh, and before we forget, you can find a replacement just about anywhere RV products are sold.
RV Fuse Panel Diagram
We have a couple of these diagrams to share with you. One will be an image to give you an idea of where the fuse panel is located. The other will be a simple link that you can go to. We will add the link for the image as it has some content that may be valuable to you.
You can find the image and the content at this link. The location of the fuse box will vary between manufacturers and models. The next link will send you to a more complicated diagram but it too should give you a good idea of where you will find the fuse box.
Pay special attention to the little details as independent fuses are shown on this diagram as well. Just click here to get to that diagram and web page content.
Fleetwood RV Fuse Panel Diagram
Both of the links we will place in this section seem to have more than one diagram for the fuse box system. This first link has several drawings that should help you. The second link has a series of slides you can look at and see if you can find one that matches your model of RV.
Even in the same company, you may find different locations and diagrams for your fuse box. One thing is for sure, the box should be between the batteries and the components using 12 volts of power.
Also, you can type in your specific Fleetwood or another model of RV into the search engine search box and add the words fuse box to get more specific diagrams for your model of RV. Or you can call your brand’s dealers or the company support service and ask them. it is just impossible to place them all here.
Some Final Words
Electrical diagrams are very useful if you understand them. That is a big reason why you should hire a professional electrician. They understand these diagrams when you may not be able to.
You do not want to make a mistake or spend hours looking for the fuse box. The diagram will cut your search time and a professional will make it even faster. The key is to make sure you replace the fuses with like fuses or you will have problems with your RV, etc., when you plug in one of the electrical devices you need to use.
