Airstream CLASSIC TRAILER - Manual (Page 78)

G
ELECTRICAL
G - 3
WARNING : The gases generated within
a storage battery cell may be ignited by an open
flame or spark in the vicinity of the battery. Do not
use a match or flame to provide light for checking
the level of the water.
During the winter the battery should be removed from
the trailer and stored in a cool, dry place, where there
is no danger of freezing. It should be kept full of water,
cleaned and charged monthly. A battery that is allowed
to completely lose its charge will never regain its
original power or a full charge.
Slide the battery out onto the opened compartment
door for service and removal or take it out of the battery
box.
For battery service or replacement, go to any service
station or dealer who sells and services the make
battery installed in your trailer.
When being towed, the 12-volt battery in your trailer is
receiving a constant charge from the car’s generator or
alternator through the seven-way connector. Your tow
vehicle’s voltage regulator controls the charge rate. It is
important to keep the seven-way connector clean. One
method is to use “Spra-Kleen”.
Whenever possible use the automatic built in converter
system for charging. The charging circuit automatically
controls the current, reducing it as the battery increases
in charge.
At service stations make certain they give your battery
a slow charge because quick charges will drastically
shorten the life of the battery, as will allowing repeated
complete discharges.
CONVERTER
The converter system is the interior low voltage
electrical system that enables you to use the interior
lights, fans, pumps and 12-volt appliances whether
operating on self-contained battery power or 120-volt
city power. The converter provides power to charge
the trailer battery and to operate the 12-volt interior
electrical system.
On rear bed models it is located under the sofa and
accessed by opening the sofa drawer. Units with slide-
outs have the converter located inside the front cabinet
on the roadside accessed by removing the drawers.
Front bed models have the converter installed on the
front lower portion of the pantry. Open the brown
decrative door for acces to 12-volt fuses and 110 volt
breakers.
The converter provides power to the 12-volt distribution
panel by transforming 120-volt alternating current (AC)
from the shoreline into 12-volt direct current (DC).
While providing power to the distribution panel, the
converter also charges the 12-volt battery system.
The converter is energized only when the trailer is hooked
up to 120-volt city power through the shoreline.
Converter Testing
A. Confirm 120 volt power is going into converter.
B. Disconnect the 12+ wire from the master switch.
C. Using a voltmeter check voltage output between
heavy positive and negative wires coming out of
converter.
D. The voltage must be within 13.8 and 14.0 volts. (The
meter of the tester should be calibrated periodically.)
E. If converter is not within these voltages, replace it.
12V POWER CIRCUITS
The current in the converter system is 12 volts direct
current (12VDC) negative grounded.
Power sources that supply 12VDC current to the
system are as follows:
A. Main charge line from tow vehicle
B. Trailer Battery
C. Converter
The power sources above are all electrically connected