Complete rewire-where do I start ?

[Aktundra]

Well, made a little progress since my original post. the first pic on the left, looks like the feed from the tow vehicle. (I propped the original C channel behind the wires, and it has a hole, that would bring the wires up between the skins from under the trailer). Looks like the Orange wire is the 12v system, and this heads off in the direction of the battery box, to recharge the battery while towing. The green wire with black tracer are the brake/tail/turn/marker lights. I have pinged out the green/black wires, all external lights are now operational.

I should be ready to install the insulation. These wires will be behind the insulation, and future maintenance will be through holes in the exterior skin. The remaining electrical systems (house 12v & 110v) will be on top of the insulation, and accessible via holes in the interior skin.

This pic of the original belly pan is outside up (if still installed it would be outside down, and right side would be left side)

If I recall correctly the square hole in front is a hatch (at the bottom of the pic), would have allowed access between the belly pan and floor, and had a bunch of connections that would have attached the pig tail for tow vehicle connection plug to the trailer system. It looks like there is a 110v wire running the length of the trailer OUTSIDE the belly pan. Can anybody tell me what that wire might have been for ?

[Aktundra]

Looks like the Bambi originally had 110v (orange wire is the house 12v) at the only roof hatch. Seems like most the vent fans are 12v.

Any idea what the 110v was for ?

[cwf]

Originally Posted by Aktundra

Looks like the Bambi originally had 110v (orange wire is the house 12v) at the only roof hatch. Seems like most the vent fans are 12v.

Any idea what the 110v was for ?

If someone wanted to add AC...to the AS... the 110VAC wiring was nearby.

[Aktundra]

There was also a 110 exterior light. The light was kind of in an awkward place, half way between the front door and the tongue. (not really a porch light, not really a utility light for the propane and the towing areas). The fixture I inherited was loosely attached and wired in, the shroud attached with sheet metal screws, so I assumed it was an after-the-fact addition. However its 110 wire is threaded through the ribs & rubber grometed so seems to be a factory original.

I am thinking I don't need this light, and if I keep it, it should be 12v.

What I am missing here? Why did the AS Gods think it was a good idea ?

[Aktundra]

If I have not been dismissed as a total idiot, one final question for today. this pic is the rear of the trailer in the area where the stove and refrigerator where originally installed. If the wire coloring scheme holds true, the green/black wire should be for the exterior towing lights. (orange for 12v and the heavy household wire for 110)

It may be apparent when I put in the rest of the interior skins, but any suggestions why the green/black wire comes inside simply to be grounded? And where does it come from ?

[dbj216]

My 66 Trade Wind has the exterior lights and brake wire "bundle" running in the curb side frame rail. There is an access hatch in the belly ban under the trailer on the curb side front, just like you picture. The 7 pin connector cable runs inside the A frame box channel and terminates at this access hatch. There it is connected to the wires running along the frame C channel.

I have no idea why there would by a 115v AC wire running along the bottom of the trailer. Previous Owner? I can't imagine a 115v AC porch light. You will want this 12v.

In the early sixties, Airstream was making a "park model" that was designed rather like a mobile home. It had mostly 115v appliances instead of 12v appliances. Is your trailer one of those?

The wire colors used in 1966 do not correlate to current standards. The Airstream diagram I posted above may help you identify the red and black wire.

The seven pin connector wire bundle ran all the way to the rear of my trailer where it can connect to the tail lights and fuse panel. It included a wire to charge the battery, and a wire to connect to the 12v ground bolt.

Looks like you're making progress.

David

[Airwave503]

Aktundra,

I don't see any reason to have shore power lights...today's LED's are bright enough for anything and low drag on your 12V system.

I bet the 120V wire going to the ceiling was for another light (I had one in mine too).

I am zeroing in on my 120V plan and will post a diagram when I think I have it nailed.

--Airwave

[Aktundra]

Does anybody recognize this component of the 1963 12v system mounted in between the battery box and an external hatch? I could probably figure it out if I stripped off the layer of paint, and I am asking mainly out of curiosity. Doubt it is something I would reuse. It looks like it might be some kind of breaker

[dbj216]

Yep, that's a 12v circuit breaker, maybe 20 amps or so. I had 4 of these in my fuse panel, and one in the 12v exterior lighting bundle. I don't know why Airstream used circuit breakers and fuses, but they did. Maybe it was "belts and suspenders" for extra safety.

Here is the one that I found in the area where my umbilical cord connected to the trailer exterior lights. And if you squint, you will see four of the little buggers in my original fuse panel.

David