Outside Electrical Box at Porpane tanks

bkrayanek · 11-04-2013, 05:56 AM

Hi everyone & good morning,
I need to replace my pig tail that hooks up to the back of the truck. Problem
I'm unable to remove the front panel of the electrical box. For the life of me I have no (Idea) what screw type. I tried all straight head, philips, star, and square heads. Can someone please tell the right tool so I can remove the front panel switch out the wires.

Thanks
Brett

mainah · 11-04-2013, 03:43 PM

I'm not sure what panel you are talking about but if it's the caper side it will be a Robertson screw either a #1 or# 2.

bkrayanek · 11-04-2013, 07:58 PM

I explained it incorrectly, it's the gang black box cover plate, and thank you!!

j&blytton · 11-07-2013, 10:36 AM

I had trouble getting that cover off on our Que. Mine took a very small Phillips with a long shaft. The screws are really far in and even though the regular Phillips head screwdriver went in, it seemed the shaft to the screw head tapered so only the smallest screwdriver reach the screw head.

Jeff

**JohnB** · 11-07-2013, 09:02 PM

Hi Brett,

What year/model camper do you have? Is this a junction box on the A frame header of the camper? Is the box plastic?

bkrayanek · 11-19-2013, 09:29 PM

Hi John,
Yes it's the black plastic box on the header. Still having trouble getting the screws out so I can replace the pig tail wire. What tool did you use to remove the screws?
Thanks Brett

henryj · 11-21-2013, 08:15 AM

Hi Brett,
John helped me with that a few years ago... IIRC you need a #1 Phillips screwdriver. I was looking at my #0 too, but that's awfully small--but feel gently with both sizes just in case. Before you start, the first problem is that those holes are packed with dirt and poking around in there with a Phillips doesn't help much. Use a small flat blade screwdriver and maybe a blast of compressed air to get the dirt out. Then feel gently for the grooves in the Phillips screw head using the Phillips screwdriver. If you can't feel them, clean some more. Once you feel the head, really lean on the screwdriver to turn the screws out as those screw heads are easy to strip and that will create a whole new set of problems.

Then look for a stainless screw that has a head big enough to stay on the outside of the box. Sorry I can't give you a number as it's been so long since I did this, but I had no problem at a hardware store that still had bulk bins. The screw thread can be a bit bigger as it just cuts into the plastic base, but too big and it will crack the base. Come to think of it, I believe it was actually a bolt. Bolt threads will still grab, but tighten them gently as these are all light plastic parts that don't need much torque to hold or strip.

If you're not in a big hurry you could wait for JohnB to confirm this and he will likely know the size of replacement bolt too.

Henry

bunjin · 11-21-2013, 10:31 AM

A machinist scribe tool can be handy to help clean out the screw heads also.

bkrayanek · 11-21-2013, 12:20 PM

To all,
I want to thank everybody with there time and help. I will tackle this task this Saturday and with all your help I'm pretty confident I'll get the job done.

Thanks to all

GWildey · 11-22-2013, 07:46 AM

Every time I visit the dentist I ask for his old dental tools that he is about to throw away. I usually walk out with a hand full. They are very helpful for this type of problem too.

bunjin · 11-22-2013, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GWildey

Every time I visit the dentist I ask for his old dental tools that he is about to throw away. I usually walk out with a hand full. They are very helpful for this type of problem too.

Ditto!

bkrayanek · 11-22-2013, 01:25 PM

GWildey.
Great Idea, I'll ask next time I go.
Thanks

**JohnB** · 11-22-2013, 09:31 PM

Hi Brett,

Henry described the issue dead on. So you can see what you are up against, here are pics of my 2004 unit.

This is with the cover off. You can see the 4 corner posts inside are flush with the split line of the plastic case. So the head of those tiny Philips screws are way down in there.

Dirt is not your friend in this case. At least one, if not more of those holes can be pretty plugged up. If the little stright blade screw driver does nut grind it out, try a small drill bit and twist it by hand. Do not try a drill motor on it as it is catches on that plastic, you will have pieces...

The fix after you get those 4 little screw out, stainless screws like this.
I "think" they are about 1" long. I do not know 100% but I think they are no. 6 or no. 8 screws. For sure not a no. 10

Look like this when they are all on and so much easier to get off

I also used 3M 33 electrical tape as a weather proofing around the seams as that box is not really water tight. You can find 3M 33 at most any hardware or lumber yard. It is better then the average tape and does cost a little more but it hands down good stuff

3M Electrical - Product Catalog - US:*Scotch® Super 33+™ Vinyl Electrical Tape, 3/4 in x 66 ft (19 mm x 20,1 m), 100 per case.

You can see here it is still on. The 1st pics where 2009 and now 2013 and still going strong. The camper has lived outside ever since until this year it will sleep inside. Can't beat 3M 33 tape.

Good luck and hope this helps. Let us know how you make out.

John

bkrayanek · 11-23-2013, 04:38 PM

John this is exactly what I was looking for, thank you soon as it stops raining I'll get to it.
thank you very much Brett

Poppy & Nana · 11-23-2013, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkrayanek

John this is exactly what I was looking for, thank you soon as it stops raining I'll get to it.
thank you very much Brett

if it were me doing that job - I'd have to say, as soon as it stops snowing! About 6" since noonish today.

Brett - good luck with your project!

Nana (Kathy)

Wannabes · 11-23-2013, 06:45 PM

Brett - Welcome to SOC and good luck on your project! Remember, we all like pixs, especially of projects as it helps the rest of us too.

Kathy - 6" of snow - ack! Here in central PA they're calling for flurries tonight. We wanted to go camping over Thanksgiving but the forecast is for 30s during the day and teens at night. A little cold for our blood. Stay warm!

**JohnB** · 11-23-2013, 08:54 PM

To spread the wealth... it is snowing in Columbus OH right now... a whopping 22F out.

Not any accumulation yet but Cindy said the weather guy said an inch... Way to early for this. I about froze fiddling with a tail light on the utility trailer today heading to the lumber yard for an outside weekend project... Have to go get the heavy insulated Carg Bids out of the basement..

We too traditionally camp Thanksgiving weekend. Do the big meal with the family on Thursday and then head to the woods. While everyone else heads to black Friday sales... Don't know yet this year if we will make it.

jim44646 · 11-24-2013, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnB

To spread the wealth... it is snowing in Columbus OH right now... a whopping 22F out.

Not any accumulation yet but Cindy said the weather guy said an inch... Way to early for this. I about froze fiddling with a tail light on the utility trailer today heading to the lumber yard for an outside weekend project... Have to go get the heavy insulated Carg Bids out of the basement..

We too traditionally camp Thanksgiving weekend. Do the big meal with the family on Thursday and then head to the woods. While everyone else heads to black Friday sales... Don't know yet this year if we will make it.

We just got spoiled by last few years of mild winters. Back in the 80's I did allot of deer hunting. Season was week after Thanksgiving. Ground was always frozen, Sometimes snow sometimes not but always cold. temps in the teens and 20's. We would use our TT for the week as deer camp. Hook up to oil well electric (land owners permission)

mainah · 11-25-2013, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnB

To spread the wealth... it is snowing in Columbus OH right now... a whopping 22F out.

Not any accumulation yet but Cindy said the weather guy said an inch... Way to early for this. I about froze fiddling with a tail light on the utility trailer today heading to the lumber yard for an outside weekend project... Have to go get the heavy insulated Carg Bids out of the basement..

We too traditionally camp Thanksgiving weekend. Do the big meal with the family on Thursday and then head to the woods. While everyone else heads to black Friday sales... Don't know yet this year if we will make it.

Wow 24 was about our average wind speed yesterday wind chill never went over about 4* tonight is when we get your snow if it goes a bit further east we stand to get clobbered. Good ideal about sales my shopping consists of
1-800 Christmas shop!