Hi everyone. I have a 1983 Newell that I'm getting up to spec. Repairs are going nicely but the load center is starting to go out. I need to find a replacement which is easier said than done due to the age of it. The load center is a Square D QO 8-16 series L5. Sounds searching brought up a couple of L4's but I was wondering if anyone would happen to either know the whereabouts of another L5 or an equivalent loac center that would work due to the space confines. The load center sits in the back closet so space is limited. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
1983 Newell Coach
40 feet Detroit 6v92
Charleston, Illinois
Garrett Storm
Charleston, IL
1983 Newell Coach 40'
Detroit 6v92
(This post was last modified: 03-28-2025, 01:14 PM by FittedBuckle.)
Dean look at the bus bar in the back up close, I think its deformed due to a poor connection or overload. Fitted Buckle its just a standard panel you can buy in Lowes or Home depot, the difference is these old panels use a old model of square D breaker which the main contacts of the breaker are like a saddle and the new breakers are a bayonet type and much cheaper. Just remove the old panel and replace with a new panel and use the new style breakers. Make sure you or whomever does this sizes the breaker with the wire size as over the years someone might have changed a breaker out to a larger one to resolve a problem and created a bigger one. Here is a picture of new and old style, new is on the left.
If your not electrically inclined do yourself a favor and hire someone who knows what they are doing, will save you money in the end and possibly your life.
This is a common issue on SQ D QO panels. Can you get a picture showing the entire panel, I bet you can get some modern guts out of a new panel and put them in the same can.
Was that the main breaker that you removed? If so that may be the problem. Now SQ D does not allow you to put branch breakers across from the main breaker like that because of this issue, overloading the bus stabs.
A couple other things to note, please provide a signature with your location, name and coach info. This goes along ways to helping you out. Shoot maybe you are close to someone and they can come help you out. A lot of these guys are good folks and they do help a lot of others out!
Plus I like to address folks by their name and maybe I will remember you when I see you at a Rally etc, helps build the community. Anyways that’s my little PSA for the forum.
Appreciate the help guys. The old panel was starting to corroded and had a scorch mark at the bottom. We've cleaned it for now but we're just going to go ahead and look for a replacement before it possibly arcs and causes bigger problems.
Also my father is helping me with skne repairs and is an electrician.
I'll remember to do a signature from now on.
Garrett storm
1983 Newell Coach
40 ft
6 v92
Garrett Storm
Charleston, IL
1983 Newell Coach 40'
Detroit 6v92
(This post was last modified: 03-28-2025, 01:17 PM by FittedBuckle.)
(03-28-2025, 01:12 PM)FittedBuckle Wrote: Appreciate the help guys. The old panel was starting to corroded and had a scorch mark at the bottom. We've cleaned it for now but we're just going to go ahead and look for a replacement before it possibly arcs and causes bigger problems.
Also my father is helping me with skne repairs and is an electrician.
I'll remember to do a signature from now on.
Garrett storm
1983 Newell Coach
40 ft
6 v92
Excellent Garrett, its great you have your dad to help you out! I am an industrial electrician myself.
Appreciate you adding your signature, if you are adding it to every post then you can go up to the green User CP button and add it so that it automatically adds to every one of your posts. After you click on the green User CP then scroll down on the left side you will see the signature link, click on that and you can add your permanent signature. Much easier so you do not have to add it every time you post.
