Kingham Step Fuse gone

This morning we left early and popped down to the coast for a dog walk and breakfast.  Before we left the van was connected to the mains, which I obviously unplugged before driving off.

When we arrived 1-1/2 hours later the step wasn’t working.  

After we returned I checked it again both with and without mains, nada.  The No4, 10 amp blade fuse has failed, so I “borrowed” another 10 amp fuse and now it works.  No problem, no grinding, no noise, perfect.

So what would cause the fuse to blow ?

Is there a way to lubricate the step without attracting grit and dust ?

Should I be doing something other than stocking up in 10 amp blade fuses ?

Thanks in advance.

I've been advised before now never to "lubricate" the step as that will actually attract grit and gravel. Regularly brush the step and power hose it when and wherever you can.

sylvester1954 wrote:I've been advised before now never to "lubricate" the step as that will actually attract grit and gravel. Regularly brush the step and power hose it when and wherever you can.

This has been my approach, although I don’t pressure wash the step.

Someone suggested silicone spray, but I’d rather avoid any lubricant which attracts dirt.  Maybe silicone doesn’t as much as oil, but I think I’d prefer to keep to manufacturers recommendations.

Reading the wiring diagram on page 7-34 of our Kingham Owners manual it looks, to me, like the fridge may be on the same circuit. I hesitate to say it, but is your fridge OK?

It's not the clearest wiring diagram I've ever seen, and, in all likelihood I'm misreading it, so, please, please, check for yourself before taking any action - don't just take my word for it!

Apologies if this sends you off on wild goose chase.

Tommy.

Weegie wrote:Reading the wiring diagram on page 7-34 of our Kingham Owners manual it looks, to me, like the fridge may be on the same circuit. I hesitate to say it, but is your fridge OK?

It's not the clearest wiring diagram I've ever seen, and, in all likelihood I'm misreading it, so, please, please, check for yourself before taking any action - don't just take my word for it!

Apologies if this sends you off on wild goose chase.

Tommy.

Tommy,

The fridge seems fine, I am just going to keep a watching brief.  I’m going to see if I can easily strip the step and go from there.

Weegie wrote:Reading the wiring diagram on page 7-34 of our Kingham Owners manual it looks, to me, like the fridge may be on the same circuit.

Agreed - the wiring diagram is imprecise, and therefore impossible to read with accuracy. But there is definitely a link between the two. I suspect that, by design, the link to the fridge supply is intended to trigger the step retraction. Is it possible that there has been a miswiring there, and a combination of the fridge 12V being on and a slightly sticky step mechanism combine to blow the fuse?

It should be easy enough to test - remove the offending fuse and see if the fridge still works Ok on 12V.

TBH I think it's unlikely to be that, but it may be worth checking just in case...

Some time ago my step refused to retract though it would come out. It was dirt in the limit switch which prevented the contacts from changing over to retract. Your step is very different but worth checking that.