Electrical - Airstream classic 2006 Owner's Manual

ELECTRICAL

ELECTRICAL
OPERATION
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 master or "kill"
switch inside the trailer.
The 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
G
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.
G - 1
Check the following areas for open circuits:
1. Light bulb (filament open.)
2. Loose or corroded connections at lighting device.
3. Loose or corroded connections at
7 way connectors
4. 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.