The 23FB forum

[rjbrown99]

Originally Posted by Bobbo

Considering that the old style 12v outlets could supply 8ish amps, the 0.8 amp (maybe) limit of this adapter is kind of anemic.

We had 2 cigarette lighter style sockets put in to our 2017, one below the dinette for powering laptops and another in the closet behind the TV for a custom entertainment system. Same reason you cite, larger Amp power draw.

[Troutboy]

What devices do you use that need the higher amps? Computers and what else?

[Bobbo]

Originally Posted by Troutboy

What devices do you use that need the higher amps? Computers and what else?

Originally Posted by Bobbo

Right now, the only things I will use them for are a rechargeable shaver and a laptop, and then, only when boondocking. Other uses may occur, but right now, that is all I need.

From post #315 in this thread. But, really, 0.8 amps is almost nothing. That would only be good for going back to a USB charger, which is what that adapter is coming FROM.

Originally Posted by Troutboy

USB ports are the new 12V delivery system. If you have USB ports but old cig lighter appliances, you can use one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/ARECORD-Cigar...arette+lighter

If you have the old cig lighter and want USB, use one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...=25QJNEKRO84BI

I think the USB are more compact, sturdier, safer, and most of the devices I now use have a USB power source.

That's just me, but YMMV

Actually, USB ports are the new 5v delivery systems. Anything requiring 12v, you are SOL. You either use the inefficient inverter or install your own.

I am the one who installed the 3 port 12v outlets above. Even with that, I am considering adding an additional 12v outlet above the dinette, piggybacking it off of the 12v feed to their (almost useless) 5v USB charging port. Or, just replacing the 5v USB port entirely.

[Bobbo]

...

[OTRA15]

Our old 1988 25' had a few 12-volt cigarette lighter style outlets, from an era when Airstreams were more like land yachts, at least electrically, with 12-volt appliances being more available and useful IMO. The following post from the Stella's Kitchen forum contains some links to a variety of info..

With all the improvements in battery technology, at least Airstream should offer the option of having more 12-volt outlets IMO.

Our 2014 FC20 has one 12-volt outlet next to the radio in the upper cabinet over the dinette, and we use it all the time for charging phones and so forth. Our tow vehicle van has 2 12-volt outlets, which we use for the devices described below, as a back-up kitchen on the road, or early in the morning at a campsite, for early risers.

Cheers,

Peter

[click on arrow in quote to go to that post and Stella's Kitchen]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Also there is an entire line of 12-volt devices from the sailing world. We have this warmer oven which works great, but is pretty small:

https://www.amazon.com/RoadPro-12-Vo...s=12+volt+oven
Slow cooker: https://www.amazon.com/RoadPro-RPSL-...T24JQK1RB67M5Z

More 12-volt appliances can be seen at the bottom of the pages above.

Throw some frozen burritos or sausages in, and after about 30 minutes of driving they are ready to go. The smell drives you nuts!

Here is one old thread on 12-volt devices:

Crock Pot on the road: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f484...ad-140779.html

PS -- The first link portable stove draws 12 amps. Not sure what the ARB portable fridges draw, but they are designed to work with the cigarette lighter outlets in most vehicles IMO.

[GettinAway]

Originally Posted by Melissa Lee

Howdy All:
Let us see your 23FB with 16" Tires. I have just begun to put them on my 2008 23FB. I am not sure yet if I will need a lift to go with the 16". I am a little concerned about wheel well clearance. My TV is a 4 X4 one ton dodge mega cab (romper room ) so I have all kinds of power and clearance. Let the fun begin.

Looking forward to "your" pics. This is the first time I've heard of anyone going to 16s on a 23FB. I'm just now going from 14s to 15s..

[switz]

While the 16" Michelin LT225/75R16/E LTX M/S2 tires are 29.2" in diameter versus the 15" Michelin LTX (P) 235/75R15 XL tires at 28.9", there was just a ½" clearance on the curb side front wheel opening to the sidewall edge of the 15" Michelin tire.

Since the GVW of a 23FB is 6,000 pounds, the 16" Michelins are overkill and could provide a much stiffer ride for the coach and they weigh more as well.

We run the 15" Michelins at 44 psi on the 23D which is the same pressure we used on our 2013 25FB International Serenity with a GVW of 7,300 pounds.

[Rob Edgerton]

Originally Posted by Bobbo

From post #315 in this thread. But, really, 0.8 amps is almost nothing. That would only be good for going back to a USB charger, which is what that adapter is coming FROM.



Actually, USB ports are the new 5v delivery systems. Anything requiring 12v, you are SOL. You either use the inefficient inverter or install your own.

I am the one who installed the 3 port 12v outlets above. Even with that, I am considering adding an additional 12v outlet above the dinette, piggybacking it off of the 12v feed to their (almost useless) 5v USB charging port. Or, just replacing the 5v USB port entirely.

For those wanting to either replace you USB socket with a Cig Lighter socket, or add either a USB, Cig Socket, or voltage meter. Here is what I used:

Attachment 291684Attachment 291685Attachment 291686

We have a 2014-23FB, so only the 12V cig socket up front. I added both the USB and Voltage meter off the same feed going to the cig socket.

For those wanting to just replace the USB socket you could buy that and just swap out. The USB socket is fed with 12V on the back side, and then steps down to 5V internally.

These are available many places, but a good source is www.qsradio.com and search for Play-Series.

[Rob Edgerton]

Originally Posted by switz

While the 16" Michelin LT225/75R16/E LTX M/S2 tires are 29.2" in diameter versus the 15" Michelin LTX (P) 235/75R15 XL tires at 28.9", there was just a ½" clearance on the curb side front wheel opening to the sidewall edge of the 15" Michelin tire.



Since the GVW of a 23FB is 6,000 pounds, the 16" Michelins are overkill and could provide a much stiffer ride for the coach and they weigh more as well.



We run the 15" Michelins at 44 psi on the 23D which is the same pressure we used on our 2013 25FB International Serenity with a GVW of 7,300 pounds.

Here is what I got from Michelin when I inquired about inflation pressures. We have a 2014-23FB that was switched to 15" tires and wheels. We run at 35 successfully for over 7k miles already.


I am looking for a load vs pressure chart for Defender 235/75R15 LTX tires.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inflation=Load

26=1545

29=1686

32=1825

35=1960

38=2094

41=2183

We hope that your issue has been resolved or addressed to your satisfaction. If we can assist you further, please respond to this email or call us at 866-866-6605 (toll-free) between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. EST Monday through Friday or between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. EST on Saturday.

We appreciate your business and thank you for choosing Michelin.

[OTRA15]

Thanks for the qsradio link, here is the socket link for everyone's information:

http://www.qsradio.com/index.html#!/...ket/p/67959300

Various other specific products are at the bottom of this page.

[rmkrum]

Quicksilver Radio has a number of useful products, one I use is a small panel with on/off switch, fuse, and charging ports. The design and finish looks nice in an Airstream. Lots of Ham radio stuff if you are in to it as I am...

[switz]

We use the 12Vdc cigarette sockets in both trailers for the Fantastic floor fan that has the matching plug.

[dolson]

I installed 200 watts of solar panels on my 23fb a few weeks ago. Here is how I did it. I used a kit from AM solar. Very pleased with the product. Instructions very complete and everything you need is included. I was going to use the 10ga prewire, but it turned out to be just as easy to route the provided 8ga wire to the roof. I routed it from the "electric bay" under bed through a plastic conduit in the trunk and water heater compartments and up the inside to the strreet side closet. Drilled a 1" hole in inner closet ceiling. Wire then routed to near center roof by remmoving the LED light fixture and snaking it through a stringer that already has a access hole. Drilled a 5/8" hole in outer roof for wire into combiner box. Used flex plastic wire cover to protect the wire. I mounted the solar controller in the electric bay and the display inside the closet. AM solar says VHB tape sufficient for panel install but I also screwed them in place. Everyingthing seald with provided sealer. Whole project took less than a day after many days of planning. See pictures.

[Biker]

Originally Posted by dolson

I installed 200 watts of solar panels on my 23fb a few weeks ago. Here is how I did it. I used a kit from AM solar. Very pleased with the product. Instructions very complete and everything you need is included. I was going to use the 10ga prewire, but it turned out to be just as easy to route the provided 8ga wire to the roof. I routed it from the "electric bay" under bed through a plastic conduit in the trunk and water heater compartments and up the inside to the strreet side closet. Drilled a 1" hole in inner closet ceiling. Wire then routed to near center roof by remmoving the LED light fixture and snaking it through a stringer that already has a access hole. Drilled a 5/8" hole in outer roof for wire into combiner box. Used flex plastic wire cover to protect the wire. I mounted the solar controller in the electric bay and the display inside the closet. AM solar says VHB tape sufficient for panel install but I also screwed them in place. Everyingthing seald with provided sealer. Whole project took less than a day after many days of planning. See pictures.

Nice job! I ran my solar wires up and out the same way.Attachment 291838

[PKI]

Street side or curb side? Pat

[dolson]

Originally Posted by PKI

Street side or curb side? Pat

Sorry. Curb side.

[PKI]

No problem. I keep getting turned around and forgetting what's located where. Have to continually orient myself when viewing project pictures. Thanks for the routing details. Pat

[svjohngalt]

Hello

We've had our 23FB since February of 2017. We started living in it in June and have travel about 6,000 miles. We've experienced a few issues and am wondering if others have experienced similar issues or what issues have others experienced.

• The FM radio antenna broke off on first highway drive.
• Shower leaked badly because the aluminum strip at the bottom was not well sealed. I pulled it out, and resealed the entire shower.
• We've noticed small amounts of water under the both sinks but nothing else is wet and no leaks from anywhere can be found. This has only happened about 3x and only after traveling.
• The light for the sewer connection became intermittent. The switch was bad, took it apart, cleanend and lubricated it and reassembled.
• Screw broke off which holds the lock mechanism for the front window. Had to drill it out and replaced the screw.
• Screw backed out which holds the window rock guard in place. Don't know how this happened.
• The hot water heater always turns on the propane side even when the propane switch is off and only the electric is on. I believe the control module is faulty and am trying to get a replacement under warranty
• The center burner on the stove will not light. Found the igniter to be slightly bent. Straightened it out and it lights fine
• Grey water tank level readings are not accurate. With only 1 gallon of water, it reads 19% full. I am still investigating this issue.

These are all minor issues. We've enjoyed the trailer a lot. The 23FB is an excellent design. It would be hard for Airstream to design something that would make me want to trade, but I do hope they are up to the challenge.

Thanks

[PKI]

Under sink issues can be loose drain fittings. Primary issue is if the pressure regulator on the shore water hookup starts to leak, the spray shows up under the galley sink. It's a bit difficult to tighten up and if cracked, must be replaced. See prior posts referenced in this thread. Best is likely a regulator upgrade and accumulator tank. Intermittent leaks can be cracked plastic fittings that expand with an increase in pressure. Often linked to water heater cycling. One preventive measure that can buy you investigation time is an external adjustable pressure regulator on the shore hose.

Good luck with new coach. The 2017 has a lot going for it. Should serve you quite well. Hope to meet you down the road. Pat

[GettinAway]

We found water in front of the kitchen sink, on the floor. Tracked it down to the spray handle for the kitchen sink. I need to replace it. I believe I did it (due to my poor technique in not remembering to winterize it.)
No shower leaks, knock on wood. My awning wasn't lined up properly. I fixed it myself. (Sort of) Overall we've been very happy with the 23FB. It's the perfect layout for us. However, we haven't spent months at a time in it. I'm happy to see you all have been in it since June, and are happy and comfortable.