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Interior
120-Volt AC Panel Board
The AC panel board section of the power converter
contains the 120 VAC branch circuit breakers for your
RV� One of the breakers controls the 120-volt power
to the 12-volt converter section� This breaker may also
control another branch circuit� Check the label next
to each breaker for what each branch circuit breaker
controls�
The 120-volt circuits may be turned on by setting their
breaker handle up, to the ON position, or off by setting
the handle down, to the OFF position� To reset the
tripped breaker, move handle to OFF then ON�
The system incorporates GFCI breakers that
implement an auto self-test functionality� When turned
off, these breakers require external AC power to be
present, or the AC inverter enabled, before they can
be turned back on� If AC power is present from one of
these two sources, and the breaker refuses to stay on
consult an electrician or certified RV technician.
Converter Cooling System
The power converters electronic fan cooling system
is the key to long life and trouble-free operation� The
fan is never on more than required to cool electronic
components in the converter� You may never hear the
fan operate�
Automatic Micro-Controller Operation
The power converters 3-stage switch mode is fully
automatic� The converter senses which mode it needs
to be in by checking the condition of the battery� The
three modes include:
Absorption Mode: During this mode the converter
output is in the 13�6 VDC range� This is the mode
that the converter will function at normally� This mode
provides the 12 VDC and the current required by the
trailer�
Bulk Mode: In this mode, the output voltage of the
converter will switch to 14�4 VDC range for a maximum
of four hours� If the converter cycles between
"Absorption and Bulk modes", there could be a shorted
battery cell or other issues�
Float Mode: If the trailer has not been used for a
period of time and the shore power has been left
plugged in, the converter will automatically go into
float mode with a voltage of 13.2. When the converter
senses a demand, by turning on lights, the converter
automatically returns to absorption mode�
5-10
120-Volt Electrical System
City Power
When your trailer is hooked up to external AC power,
the converter system automatically charges the trailer
batteries regardless of the battery disconnect switch
position and, if the 7-way cord is hooked up and
depending on your vehicle, your tow vehicle battery
as well� The speed and degree of charge depends on
how much power is used for lights and appliances, as
only the surplus goes to charging the battery� If you are
making an extended stay, then you should keep your
trailer hooked up to a 120-volt current if it is available�
While you are connected to external AC power, the
wiring is protected by circuit breakers in the breaker
panel� The circuit breaker panel for the 120-volt system
is located in the converter� In the event of a failure of a
120-volt circuit, first check your trailer circuit breakers
and the breaker for the outlet into which your trailer
shoreline cord is plugged� If a breaker continues to
trip after you have reset it several times, your circuit
may be overloaded with appliances or there may be a
short in the circuit� Try lessening the load on the circuit�
Perhaps an electric griddle, hair dryer, or an electric
heater can be turned off� If that does not solve the
problem, consult an Airstream Service Center�
The 120-volt electrical system provides power to
operate the air conditioner, converter, and 120-volt
receptacles for portable appliances� The power is
carded through the 120-volt city power flexible cord to
the 120-volt distribution panel, and then is distributed
to each appliance or receptacle� Exterior outlets for
120-volts are located on the curbside exterior wall
between the wheels and above the wheel well�
Converter
The converter system is a transformer designed to
maintain constant output voltages regardless of the
variances that occur in city power systems� The design
eliminates the need for complex electronic sensing
systems to charge the batteries, minimizing the
possibility of failures and greatly increasing its overall
reliability�
In some older parks and other locations where three
pronged outlets are not available, certain precautions
to ensure proper grounding and polarity must be taken�
These precautions are listed below:
1� Attach the three-pronged plug to a two-pronged
adapter� The third conductor line of this adapter
has a short wire lead, that must be grounded�
2023 Caravel
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