12 volt woes

[Tin Tortuga]

Hi, I'm just getting stated on the long road (not too long i hope)to restoring a '73 sovreign. doesnt' need a lot ,some cosmetics, a frige etc. I was told that the 12 volt "doesn't work" but wasn't told why . I expect the previous owners didn't care if it worked or not .as it spent the last 25years parked and plugged in to land power. looking for tips on getting 12 volt up and running inc. where to get a good book on the subj. Thankss

[bake315]

Hey there Sardine. Welcome to the forum.

Problem could be something like a dead converter, or maybe just a disconnection. If you don't have one, a service manual containing wiring diagrams and such can be had from Secretarial Services (search on this and you'll locate the contact info). If you're comfortable working with electricity, you should have no trouble, but if there is anything you don't understand or are uncertain about, we've got many folks here who can point you in the right direction for just about everything.

[74Argosy24MH]

Start at the univolt, input and output, ground and hot, the ground is fused. If everything is dead it has to be something easy.

John

[garry]

If it was pluged in and the lights inside worked with no battery then you have 12 V. The univolt changes the incoming 120 ac power to 12 vdc and charges the battery. If no power and no battery then you most likely have a bad univolt or blown fuses. Most will recommend replacing with another brand but it is repairable.
When you do the search on Univolt also do a search on axels as just sitting on them for 25 yrs tends to ruin them. Pulling with bad axels will do major damage more so if a rear bath.

Garry

[markdoane]

Here's a good general resource on 12V systems.
http://www.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/12volt/12volt.htm

[Tin Tortuga]

Thanks all for the replies. I feel better already knowing there is knowledgable
help out there . I m anxious to get started as soon as the weather warms a little bit . so I'm sure i'll be poking around for more info . good stuff from all
thanks again ,
Sardine