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An extensive owner's manual for the Inverter/
Charger is provided in the Airstream Owner's
Packet. Make sure to read, understand, and follow
all information, notes, Cautions, and Warnings in
the manual before operating the Inverter/Charger.
Converter
The Airstream converter system enables you to use the
12-volt lights and equipment whether operating on self-
contained battery power or hooked up to 120-volt city
power� The 12-volt light bulbs give off the same light
as regular household bulbs, so that when operating
on self-contained battery power, everything works
normally except the 120-volt convenience outlets and
120-volt appliances�
CAUTION
When operating with city power, make very certain
that the service is 120 volt, not 240 volt.
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�
2� For proper grounding, connect the short ground
lead to a grounded outlet box or to a cold water
pipe� When no water pipe is available, drive a
metal rod two feet into the ground and attach the
ground lug to it, thus providing the unit with proper
grounding�
NOTE
When the three-pronged plug can be used,
there will be no problems with proper polarity or
grounding with a properly-wired shoreline outlet.
2020 Interstate
WARNING
120-Volt Electrical System
City Power
When your touring coach is hooked up to external AC
power, the converter system automatically charges
the touring coach batteries regardless of the battery
disconnect switch position� 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 you
should keep your touring coach hooked up to external
AC power, 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 touring coach circuit
breakers and the breaker for the outlet into which your
touring coach 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 A/C, 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 120 volt outlets are
located on the curbside exterior wall�
All wire, components, and wiring methods conform to
federal and state requirements�
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
Most states require touring coach's with exterior
120-volt receptacles and receptacles close to a water
sources, such as a faucet, to have a GFCI� When
properly installed, the GFCI circuit breaker provides
reliable overload and short-circuit protection, plus
protection from ground faults that might result from
contact with a HOT load wire and ground�
The system incorporates GFCI breakers that
implement an auto self-test functionality� When turned
off, these breakers require external AC or generator
power to be present, or the AC inverter enabled, before
they can be turned back on� If power is present from
one of these sources, and the breaker refuses to stay
on consult an electrician or certified RV technician.
Interior
5-15
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