Lost 110v power in new Classic

[Jcimral]

We on a coast to coast trip and currently about 2500 miles from home. This evening we lost all 110v power to the HP, Microwave and outlets. The 20A breaker switch (second from left) had tripped and when it was reset there was a pop and a puff of smoke from the power panel. We are in Cooperstown NY.

My plan is to ask for help at the RV park and if necessary go to Albany for repairs. We're new to 'streaming, so please suggest other ideas you may have.

Thanks in advance...

--jjc
John C.

[ROBERT CROSS]

John,

If your not comfortable or properly equipped for electrical.....

The "puff of smoke" tells me, getting to the dealer asap may be your best option.

Bob

[mimiandrews]

Sounds like your circuit breaker is doing its job. There's a short somewhere in that circuit. Get it to a good RV experienced electrician.

[ghaynes755]

Bummer. John what was turned on when you noticed? Looking at the electrical schematic that I got from AS the second CB should be the front AC. In reality my panel was not labeled so I'm not sure that the schematic is correct. I labeled everything but not near the trailer to confirm.

It could be something as simple as a bad breaker which is an easy club and replace. After that things get more complicated.

[graysailor]

I am following this thread.

[cwf]

Works on smoke and mirrors... Once you let the smoke out, no more workie!

Dealer or local electrician.

Do NOT keep turning on the breaker!!!!! More damage can be done, including possible fire(BIG SMOKE)!!!!

[kdickinson]

I am a pretty confident do it yourselfer but my cardinal rule is if it involves electricity or gas I unplug and turn off the gas and call an expert. If it's cold outside I get a hotel room until it's fixed. I also very much prefer to only have people that know their way around an Airstream to do work on mine - dealership is best. Sounds idealistic but it saves me time and money down the road and keeps my wife and I alive and healthy to be able to go down the road.

[demijac]

We lost our 110V last year because we overloaded it with a ceramic heater. Turns out we blew the fuse in the inverter. Replacing the inverter fuse solved the problem.

We have a 2014 Classic 27FB. Inverter was located behind the left wall panel in the front external storage compartment.

Can't explain the puff of smoke. We didn't experience that.

Let us know what the final diagnosis and fix turns out to be.

Good luck!

[gamblerod1]

I had a similar experience in my new 2015 International en route back from Canada. The battery disconnect switch (panel located near the entry door failed. There was no Airstream dealer nearby so I took the rig to a local RV dealer. They checked that the solenoid switch, which controls the 110V power to the fridge, etc., was functioning. It was. So we deduced that a circuit in the battery disconnect switch had failed. The dealer by-passed the disconnect switch and hot-wired the solenoid to remain on all the time. This won't drain your batter as long as you hook your Airstream up to an external power source (30 amp or your tow vehicle) at least every other day. We used our Airstream like this for another 40 days until we got back home.

Hope this helps.

R

[Doc Foster]

The converter had to be replace at Jackson Center. If your converter is shot, then you will not be able to charge your batteries, at least mine did not. They were all but useless by the time I got to Jackson Center (I was in Utah but on my way home to MD)
There are Airstream dealers in NY: www.coltonrv.com/ and Albany RV - View our RVs and you appear to be about 4 and 1/2 hours from Colonial airstream in NJ, and about 9 hours or so to Jackson Center in Ohio.
I would suggest not plugging into 110 volt power until the issue can be resolved. Mine woke me up in the middle of the night sparking, popping and smoking. I had to run outside quickly and disconnect from shore power.

[Jcimral]

I appreciate all the help. We have our power back, but it took a couple visits to a dealer. There were several loose wires that were tightened up behind the power panel. That brought back the 110 power. We then lost 12v and had to return. It turns out that the converter was blown and not charging the batteries. The dealer replaced the converter and things were fine.

The furnace was a different problem (operator error). It was set to come on and turn off at the same time. Hence no heat.

Albany RV treated us very well. They understood we were on the road and made room for us in their service line immediately. Also, we were lucky the AirStream rep was at the dealer. They did not have the Airstream part (converter) and Airstream corporate did not want to pay for the "off market" part. The Rep stepped in and did the right thing. We are thankful. Guess looking somebody in the eye matters.

Again, thank you for all the help. One newbie is a bit smarter.

--jjc

[cwf]

Great! Thanks for update!

I have seen 'loose' wires cause the 'smoke' you referenced. Also, the 'static'/surge we see on the circuitry can damage components....like the converter. Personally, I think the 'original' being installed is 'marginal' for regular use. With the 'static'/surge, it may have taken out the less than reliable Converter.

Since the Converter was replaced, I strongly recommend you consider getting an 'appliance' surge protector for the Microwave and Converter. Here is a link to a suggestion.... I am sure you can find locally. Glad you are back in business!

http://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-Pro...urge+protector