Airstream CLASSIC TRAILER - Manual (Page 76)

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ELECTRICAL
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ELECTRICAL
The major portion of electrical power in your Airstream is
12-volt. The 12-volt current powers the fans, furnaces,
water pump, and water heater ignition. The exception
would be the air conditioner and microwave oven.
All 12-volt current comes through the battery system
in the front of your trailer. The battery or batteries are
accessible from the exterior on the front of your trailer.
Power from the battery first goes to a manual master or
“kill” switch inside the trailer.
The manual kill switch, 12-volt distribution panel, and
converter are located under the front sofa on most
models. Open the drawer under the sofa seat and look
on the roadside of the storage area. The kill switch and
distribution panel are mounted on a hinged panel that
lowers to access the converter.
On trailers without a front sofa the 12-volt distribution
panel and the kill switch is located under the computer
table. The converter is located on the roadside front wall
and can be accessed by removing cabinet drawers.
The master switch should be left in the ON position
except when storing, or a mechanic may use the switch
when servicing the trailer.
Power from the main switch continues on to the 12-
volt distribution panel, and then to the rest of the trailer.
The 12-volt distribution panel has reset circuit breakers
and does not require routine servicing. If a short should
occur the breaker in that circuit will “click” off and you
may notice some lights or appliances losing power. If
this should happen, immediately turn the lights and
appliances off that are on the shorting circuit and reset
the breaker by depressing the small button in the end.
If the breaker continues to “click” turn the main power
off until a qualified technician can service your trailer.
The charge in the 12-volt batteries is replenished when
towing or when plugged into 110-volt city power.
The most common failure in the exterior electrical
system is an open circuit. An open circuit is an
interruption in the current flow, which may be in either
the wire to the component or in the ground return.
Check the following areas for open circuits:
1. Loose or corroded connections at lighting device.
2. Loose or corroded connections at 7 way connector.
3. Improper grounding at the lighting device.
A continuity light or an ohmmeter will help you isolate
the point of the “open” on the circuit. Another cause of
failure is a short circuit usually resulting in a blown fuse
or cycling circuit breaker at the power source. The wire
coming in contact with a sharp edge usually causes a
short. The sharp edge wears the wire’s insulation away
until the “hot” wire short to ground.
Only qualified service centers and technicians should
troubleshoot and repair electrical systems.
Electronic Battery Disconnect Switch (Front Bed
Models Only)
The disconnect switch is used to separate the battery
from the 12-volt distribution panel and converter
charging system. It is an electronic version of the
manual “Kill” switch.
When the disconnect switch is turned to “use” (on)
and the trailer is plugged into a 110-volt shoreline, the
12-volt distribution panel will receive power from the
converter as the battery is charged through the con-
verter charging system. If the trailer is not plugged into
a 110-volt shoreline, the battery will supply 12-volts to
the trailer and no charging to the battery is available
since the converter is not receiving 110-volt power.
When the disconnect switch is turned to “store” (off)
and the trailer is plugged into a 110-volt shoreline, the
12-volt distribution panel will still receive power from
the converter, but the battery is disconnected from the
system. The battery will not be drained with the switch
in the “store” position. The converter will not charge
the battery with the switch in the “store” position
either.
The charge in the 12-volt batteries is replenished
when towing from the tow vehicle alternator through
the 7-way cord. This charge will go to the battery no
matter which position the Battery Disconnect Switch
is in.