New member - '72 Soveriegn

[ldjones]

Greetings from Camp Mabry, Austin, Texas. I purchased a '72 Soveriegn last March and look forward to participating in the forum. In fact, I have an electrical question and am hopeful someone is able to provide some trouble shooting tips. This week my lights stopped working so I went to the breaker box located in the back next to the toilet and reset the breakers. This did not correct the problem. If anyone has any experience on the topic please advise. Thanks.

[Goin camping]

Hi and welcome!

Someone will be along in a minute to help you with your electrical problem. Lots of folks here that know that kinda stuff.

I just wanted to welcome in and ask you to please post pices of your Airstream. We love pictures of Airstreams around here.

[KeithC]

Your trailer has two electrical systems. A 12v electrical system for light and a 110 v system for frig, / shore power.

Your 12v lighting system is not hooked up to a breaker box. A 12V electrical system uses a fuse panel much like older cars had. Check your fuses to see if a fuse (a round glass cylindar) has burned out. I bet it has. Just replace the fuse and you will have lights again.

[Zeppelinium]

The 12v system will be on one of the 110V breakers, but that's not your problem, obviously. If you didn't correct the problem with new DC fuse, read on.

All of the wiring runs through the ceiling. The 12v power is divided into circuits for various systems--water pump, lights, fans, hitch jack, and those DC electical connectors that look like cigarette lighter sockets. You will find four to six circuits, plus larger fuses for battery and converter connections.

I assume your system is like the ones in several of my 1970s models, where the various drops from each circuit are made using bullet connectors. My Sovereign has an intermittent connection to the little spots in the back bedroom. This tells me that one of those bullet connectors is loose (first guess). Dropping that long ceiling panel is a big job, but not difficult if you have a helper, just tedious. You can drop one end (like I'll have to do), but you can't flex that skin very much due to the curve shape it takes when installed. If you finally need to take it down, send me a PM and I'll tell you what I found when I did that in my Overlander. You can see some photos in this thread.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f46/...der-21356.html

Hope you found a burned out fuse!

Zep

[moosetags]

Welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us.

[davidz71]

The 12 volt distribution fuse panel on my '77 Excella 500 31' was in the very front inside a cradenza. It was also in the same place for the 21', 23 & 25' and from 25-31'. Look around inside the trailer and you will find it there somewhere, sometimes inside a closet.

There were circuits for backup lights, right turn and stop, clearance and tail light, left turn and stop, power on light, 5 other circuits, battery one and battery two. All the tail light/turn signal fuses were 15 amp, the 5 other circuits were 20 amp fuses, the power on was 4 amp and the battery fuses were 50 amp.

[ldjones]

Wow, this is a great site - I'm really impressed at how helpfull everyone is. In less than 24 hours there are almost half-a-dozen responses. I appreciate everyone's assistance. KiethC, you mentioned a 12V electrical system that uses a fuse panel - where is the fuse panel located? Thanks.

[Zeppelinium]

If you still have the originaal Univolt converter, the fuses are inside one end. There should be a small knob that unscrews to release the door.

Zep

[ldjones]

Thanks Zep. I have what I assume is a converter located below the breaker box but it must not be the original because I can't seem to figure out how to open it - there are no screws or knobs. Does this sound like the right location to you?

[Ganglin]

Welcome to The Forum and your new toy.

The 72 service manual shows the Univolt is located inside the curbside rear access door. Likely partially under a bed. Open the door and to the left you should see the fuses. There should be 8 fuses. 2 to the top left - four just right of that - these 4 are your interior 12 volt circuts and one is likely blown.

If you need the fuse sizes let me know. This all presumes you have the original univolt and fuse panel.

[tamis]

Originally Posted by Ganglin

Welcome to The Forum and your new toy.

The 72 service manual shows the Univolt is located inside the curbside rear access door. Likely partially under a bed. Open the door and to the left you should see the fuses. There should be 8 fuses. 2 to the top left - four just right of that - these 4 are your interior 12 volt circuts and one is likely blown.

If you need the fuse sizes let me know. This all presumes you have the original univolt and fuse panel.

A easier way to get access is to pull the bed/plywood on that side. On my trailer, it was on top of the battery box, in a little nook next to the tub. Much easier to get to from above, than through the little door.

Notice I said "WAS", it ain't there no mo.

Did someone say this was good design?

T

[Zeppelinium]

Originally Posted by ldjones

Thanks Zep. I have what I assume is a converter located below the breaker box but it must not be the original because I can't seem to figure out how to open it - there are no screws or knobs. Does this sound like the right location to you?

Yes, there are some versions that didn't have the door and fuse panel inside. My '72 Overlander has the version with the door, my '75 Sovereign doesn't (didn't) have it.

If it weighs about 45 pounds and is 8"x8"x15" (approximately, from memory), it's an original.

Zep

[HiHoAgRV]

Do you have a battery in the unit that is charged? If so look at the feed wiring at the fuse panel. If no battery, you are already on the proper track

[TBRich]

Can't help with the electrical issues, sadly, but I can WELCOME you to the forum...you are amnong friends here, so ask and ye shall have answers! Really!

Happy Trails...TB

[ldjones]

I appreciate everyone's help. I found a fuse box located to the rear in a closet that backs up against the bathtub. In other words, the bathtub is on the other side of the wall. I looked at each fuse and none of them appeared to be blown. I would like to replace them all so as to either fix the problem or atleast eliminate the fuses as the problem but I can't find anyone who sells these fuses. I thought fuses were a fairly common item but have not been able to find them on the market. Any suggestions as to where I can pick up some fuses?

[Kevbo10]

Originally Posted by ldjones

Greetings from Camp Mabry, Austin, Texas. I purchased a '72 Soveriegn last March and look forward to participating in the forum. In fact, I have an electrical question and am hopeful someone is able to provide some trouble shooting tips. This week my lights stopped working so I went to the breaker box located in the back next to the toilet and reset the breakers. This did not correct the problem. If anyone has any experience on the topic please advise. Thanks.

did you try the SEACRH box up on the right?

just sayin...

kevbo

[azflycaster]

Originally Posted by ldjones

Any suggestions as to where I can pick up some fuses?

Radio Shack

[Airdog]

Welcome, I also have a 72 soveriegn. I have found this site very helpful as well. I think all this advice might have solved one of my mysteries as well. Life is good!