Add on outlets, original?

[Jabba]

Hi,

My wife and I were discussing additional outlets we have on our 1955. They are single outlets added behind the couch and in other various areas, they have no face plate, just a single, square outlet. Has anyone else found these on their rigs? I have yet to check if they are 12V or 110V. Any ideas why as we seem to have plenty of regular duplex outlets?

[overlander64]

Greetings Jason!

I am not absolutely certain, but believe that these outlets, at least the ones behind the sofa/lounge were added for optional decorative lamps. These lamps were not permanently attached and were usually stored in one of the cupboards near the sofa. They weren't terribly common, and seemed to be associated primarily with coaches having the International package.

Kevin

[Jabba]

Hi Kevin,

That seems like it may be the case, but they aren't exactly easy to get to. There are additional outlets scattered through the trailer. Have you ever seen the decorative lamp or pictures of them? When did the International options come into play, ours is a 1955.

Thanks!

[66Overlander]

Greetings,
My '55 Safari has nothing like you describe, but then it was an "economy" model and your '55 Liner was a "premium" model.

I have never even heard of these outlets before and would love to see pictures of them in their various locations around your trailer.

[overlander64]

Greetings Jason!

Originally Posted by Jabba

Hi Kevin,

That seems like it may be the case, but they aren't exactly easy to get to. There are additional outlets scattered through the trailer. Have you ever seen the decorative lamp or pictures of them? When did the International options come into play, ours is a 1955.

Thanks!

I am not absolutely certain, but I believe that the International package was introduced sometime between 1953 and 1955. I am on the road right now and don't have my notes with me, but I do have a brochure announcing introduction of the International package in my library -- will check when I get home around mid-week . I also should have at least one photo of the lamps in question. These lamps were available as late as 1964 but I don't know how much longer (Pearl Main had one in her '64 Soveriegn).

Kevin

[Sugarfoot]

Jabba, I would also love to see pics of those outlets. I have way more duplexes in the '56 SOTR than I expected, some in odd places like inside the galley sink casework on the trailer wall. Only one single outlet, an ancient ground/fault over the bathroom sink and I'm not sure if it is original.

[47WeeWind]

Originally Posted by Sugarfoot

. . . Only one single outlet, an ancient ground/fault over the bathroom sink and I'm not sure if it is original.

Hi Sugarfoot:

Isn't that the on-off switch for the electric water heater, with an indicator lamp across the top and a single outlet on the bottom? Is, or was if you no longer have it, your SOTR's electric water heater inside or underneath a bathroom cabinet? I know it's nearly impossible to trace an Airstream's electrical wiring behind the walls, but see if you can use a voltmeter to trace the wire from this switch and see if it goes to an old electric water heater. Cheers!

Jabba: In this instance, photos of the single outlets would really help us try to identify them.

[Sugarfoot]

Originally Posted by 47WeeWind

Hi Sugarfoot:

Isn't that the on-off switch for the electric water heater, with an indicator lamp across the top and a single outlet on the bottom? . . .

Well, so it is. It took supersizing my own photo to see it. I never looked that close and just assummed . . . well, you know how that goes. And yes, I do have the old original water heater under the bath sink cabinet. Thanks again, 47WeeWind for helping me figure things out, as you have often had to do for me.

[Jabba]

Ok, finally got out and too a couple pics. I didn't realize they were grounded outlets, so they aren't original to the trailer. But I and trying to figure out how they were installed since the panels do not look to have been removed. First one is under the front cabinet, behind the couch on the front wall. The second one is installed directly underneath a duplex under the side windows next to the table. I think there may be a couple more further back but didn't have the time to dig.

[66Overlander]

I agree that the fact that they have three prongs makes them appear non-original to a 1955 trailer. I certainly have never seen anything like them in a vintage Airstream. The plastic looks too new.

But as you note, unless the trailer was totally restored inside at some time (and I believe your trailer is thought to be original), it would seem to be a very hard task to get the one under the front cabinet wired in (unless there is another outlet just outside of the picture), although the one under the original duplex would have been relatively easy to add.

We certainly don't know everything there is to know about vintage Airstreams, so who knows. Surprises do still come up regularly. But if no other trailers turn up with these outlets, that would also support that they were added later.

[richinny]

those outlets look a lot like outlets that you see in metal fixtures. i have an under-counter florescent that has just such an outlet. i think i've seen them in the electrical dept. at big box stores. they would clip into the inner skin.

[Foiled Again]

Originally Posted by richinny

those outlets look a lot like outlets that you see in metal fixtures. i have an under-counter florescent that has just such an outlet. i think i've seen them in the electrical dept. at big box stores. they would clip into the inner skin.

You're absolutely right about them fitting on metal fixtures. I checked my under counter fluorescent and bingo, same thing. They would be pretty easy to fish and wire from a nearby outlet. People are creative aren't they? You never know what you'll find in a vintage unit.

Paula

[overlander64]

I haven't seen the outlets for the accessory lamps as used prior to 1964, but in '64, they were almost 1 1/2" square and made of dark brown plastic like the balance of the outlets in the coach. My Overlander didn't have these accessory lamps or I would photograph and post.

I am still looking for my photo of the accessory lamps -- I know that I have one, but it may still be packed away in the moving cartons from my most recent move in 2007.

Kevin

[Jabba]

I thought they may have been a clip in type. When the flourescent fixture was mentioned it made more sense. Question is why since the umbilical is not a grounded 3 prong. More digging to do...

Thanks for the replies, I'll post when I track down why or where they lead.