Hi,
I'm starting to get close and personal with our new to us Airstream . In checking out the interior lights, I noticed a duples outlet with a light switch beside it on the front curbside wall and in the back streetside wall (kitchen). I assumed that each switch was for the outlet beside it. Wrong - the outlets have juice whether the switch is up or down. Does anyone know what each switch controls?? The water pump is located under the front gaucho below the front switch which appears to be the only thing electrical around it but I haven't gotten to the plumbing yet. The kitchen switch really has me stumped. Is it possible that it switches the outlet from 110 to 12v??
Any and all help will be appreciated.
Thanks,
George
Maybe at least one of the switches controls the outlet outside for a 120 volt "porch light". It was that way on several 62 and 63 models I have seen, although none as small as your Bambi.
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Terry Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine
AIR#2611
We don't have an exhaust over the range. In these early Bambi's the kichen was in the rear and we had that small rear window behind the range which I guess they figured provided enough draw for the exhaust. I will check the fantastic fan in the roof just in case but that's a 12 volt with its' own on/off and speed control so I'd be surprised if the switch controls it. Thanks for the thought!
George
In my Bambi II, the switch nearest the kitchen sink turns on the 12 volt water pump. The switch nearest to the door turns on an outside light. These switches look like regular household 120 volt switches, but were used for the 12 volt. I dunno why, It's just the way mine is done.
Thanks Silverhobby,
Perhaps my 2 switches turn on the water pump (front) and the hot water heater (rear). I'll check it out tomorrow.
Thanks again.
George
For anyone still interested, I found out that the switch near the sink in fact turns the 110 light on and off that is a part of the set of lights (12v and 110)beside the cooktop/refrig. Since this light has an on/off switch at its' base, I thought the fixture might be bad until that light went off in my head that the light switch across the trailer at the sink may be the answer. It was! Thanks for your help.
Very interesting electrical! We have a California made 1963 Bambi. Our switch on the front curbside activates our compressor that pressurizes the fresh water tank so it will flow nicely out of the faucet. We didn't have a switch in the back, but we did have a blank switch plate covering a hole. When we restored our trailer my hubby rewired the entire trailer and upgraded everything to modern standards.
Yes, Ohio made. Our front switch curbside by the front window turns the air compressor on/off for the water as well. Both switches are beside a 2 plug outlets. These are the only switches in the trailer.
Do you have an A/C unit in the roof?? If so, do you also have the vent or did you install the a/c in the vent space. We'd like to put an a/c unit forward of the vent but were told that the frame may not support it and may need a bit of reinforcing because the roof rib (if its' there) may come down to the door opening which would weaken it.
Thanks!
No, the original frame won't really support a A/C unit on the roof, although I have seen some who have done that, but eventually I am sure they get leaks...
We installed the A/C under the side goucho (couch) We sacrificed one of the storage areas. My hubby built a baffle for intake and out flow through one of the side access doors. So when the trailer isn't hooked up to A/C it looks original.
He has a long thread on our restoration, you can see it here: Floor Replacement 63 Bambi then scroll or go to about page 36 to post 503 to find the section on the A/C install.
Our A/C works pretty well this way, but we were in 120 degree weather and it just didn't quite make it. Needed more push to get the air out into the cabin. Normally it is enough.