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Old 01-21-2013, 12:41 PM   #1
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1963 28' Ambassador
Foley , Alabama
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Newbie in need of serious HELP!

OK, I'm starting to work on my 1963 Ambassador. I'm trying to start with the basic electrical and plumbing. I have 110 power plugged in now, and it has the fridge and lights working. All propane and water hook ups missing. First stop battery - attached in a photo of the battery compartment (only room for one). I know I need deep cell, and I would assume get one with the highest capacity in that size? I didn't find a power converter anywhere, but want to add one. Suggestions Please! I found the water heater and pressurized water tank, but not grey or black water tanks. Where are they suppose to go? Suggestions for finding them?? Anybody out there have a 28' that can post photos of their bathroom set up? Suggestion on a new pooper? Preferred brands? Do's and Don'ts. REALLY OPEN TO ALL SUGGESTIONS HERE!
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Old 01-21-2013, 12:42 PM   #2
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What are these in the last photo? Tie downs?
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Old 01-21-2013, 01:10 PM   #3
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One more question, I have seen a couple different products used for polishing. Comments about Alumabrite?
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Old 01-21-2013, 01:14 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tredding View Post
What are these in the last photo? Tie downs?
I think those look like tire chocks that go between the two tires of a double-axle...
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Old 01-21-2013, 01:20 PM   #5
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The items in the last photo are wheel chocks that go between the wheels of your dual axle.

The black tank should be directly below the toilet. Step on the pedal and take a look.
Airstreams did not have grey tanks until the mid 70's.
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Old 01-21-2013, 01:28 PM   #6
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Unless you are thinking about doing a lot of camping off the grid, a single size 27 deep cycle will serve you well. I buy mine from NAPA and they seem to last about three years. We spend 7 months a year in the rig so that is pretty good performance.

I have a Honda 2000i generator so the most I have ever had to go without recharging was a couple of days in the odd "no generators" type sites.

The guys that spend a lot of time off grid use multiple 6 volt golf cart batteries. They are heavy but do carry a lot of capacity.

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Old 01-21-2013, 01:36 PM   #7
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Take a deep breath....sigh.

OK. What you described so for is no big problem. What was mentioned by others here is right on.

The converter i'd get....best price and quick delivery from EBAY sites. I like Progressive Dynamics the 45 0r 65 series. When you get that get also a fuse panel...nothing fancy...and a new battery. I'd get a sealed maintenance free, high AMP, battery...go to an auto supply or Wal Mart. (of course Lifeline, optima and other high ends are available.) Wire it up and go. Look up "Best Converters" here on the Forums and Google them up. Read what Rick says....any questions...call him. I'd even buy from him if possible.
DON'T get involved in polishing yet. That comes way down the line. Your wasting time if you play with that now.
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Old 01-21-2013, 01:42 PM   #8
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Wait to buy a battery. You are a far from needing a battery. Why buy a nice battery only to have it set and lose its warranty. Wait until you are going camping and then buy it. In the mean time you can test with any various 12v source
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Old 01-21-2013, 01:44 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tredding View Post
OK, I'm starting to work on my 1963 Ambassador. I'm trying to start with the basic electrical and plumbing. I have 110 power plugged in now, and it has the fridge and lights working. All propane and water hook ups missing. First stop battery - attached in a photo of the battery compartment (only room for one). I know I need deep cell, and I would assume get one with the highest capacity in that size? I didn't find a power converter anywhere, but want to add one. Suggestions Please! I found the water heater and pressurized water tank, but not grey or black water tanks. Where are they suppose to go? Suggestions for finding them?? Anybody out there have a 28' that can post photos of their bathroom set up? Suggestion on a new pooper? Preferred brands? Do's and Don'ts. REALLY OPEN TO ALL SUGGESTIONS HERE!

Since your lights are working with the 110 plugged in then you must have a converter somewhere since the trailer lights are 12 volt. You don't need to worry about the battery right now since you are plugged in to 110. Also I wouldn't start any polishing project until you have the trailers operating systems up and running. The water heater looks to be in pretty rough shape and probably has not been fired up for some time. You say all of the propane hook ups are missing. Are you talking about the propane tanks and water faucets? More interior and exterior pictures would help.

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Old 01-21-2013, 01:47 PM   #10
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Nice Chocks...

Quote:
Originally Posted by tredding View Post
What are these in the last photo? Tie downs?
Worth some $$ to the vintage crowd. Don't let them get away from you.
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Old 01-21-2013, 02:29 PM   #11
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Right on the battery...you don't need it now. However, your building an entire system an you need a battery for fit and finish as well as testing the circuit protections and continuity...converter alone won't do that.
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Old 01-21-2013, 03:49 PM   #12
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1963 28' Ambassador
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More photos of the starting point

The bathroom was a mess, residential toilet, and heavy funky shower half finished. Today we tore that all out, so blank canvas. The flooring need to be replaced. No grey water tank to be found, but I think it might have originally under the vanity?? I also have the original drawers and pull out sleeper (with original upholstery for the front, just not in this photo.)
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Old 01-21-2013, 03:52 PM   #13
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1963 28' Ambassador
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water intake?

pressurized water intake? Details please! Also anyone know that this mystery part is?
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Old 01-21-2013, 04:26 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tredding View Post
The bathroom was a mess, residential toilet, and heavy funky shower half finished. Today we tore that all out, so blank canvas. The flooring need to be replaced. No grey water tank to be found, but I think it might have originally under the vanity?? I also have the original drawers and pull out sleeper (with original upholstery for the front, just not in this photo.)

If it had a residential toilet installed then it must have been parked for sometime with a direct drain from the toilet to an outside sewer line bypassing the "black tank". If the black tank is still intact it will be directly beneath where the original RV toilet sit. You won't be able to see this from the outside since it is covered by the underside belly skin. This year Airstream did not have a "grey tank".

Post pictures of the outside of the trailer front, sides and back, as well as a picture down low from the back to see under the trailer. Hopefully the black tank is still there and can be reconnected along with the shower and sinks. Don't hook up water at this time until the plumbing issues are fixed and you have a chance to check out your fresh water connection and water lines.

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Old 01-21-2013, 05:11 PM   #15
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1963 28' Ambassador
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Outside photo of starting point

This is my starting point on the exterior. Thrilled to have the original awnings out of the package.
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Old 01-21-2013, 05:18 PM   #16
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1963 28' Ambassador
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More photos of the starting point exterior

Hum, having trouble getting photos again. Here's another try
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Old 01-21-2013, 05:25 PM   #17
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1963 28' Ambassador
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starting point

more exterior photos of the starting point.
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Old 01-21-2013, 05:48 PM   #18
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1963 28' Ambassador
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Mystery Parts

I can't figure out what these are either
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Old 01-21-2013, 08:08 PM   #19
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1963 24' Tradewind
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I've got a small version of your trailer in my 63 Tradewind and from what the experts tell me these are some of the better made trailers. You have a very nice project and hopefully you'll enjoy your trailer both working on it and using it.
I was wondering about the spare tire mount and cover you have on the front tongue behind the propane tanks. Would you mind posting some pictures of that? I've never seen one like that before.
Thanks and don't forget to ask lots of questions,you have a wealth of knowledge here at your finger tips.
good luck
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Old 01-21-2013, 08:15 PM   #20
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hang on to all that stuff

Quote:
Originally Posted by tredding View Post
more exterior photos of the starting point.
Just a word of advice in case you didn't know this already but try to hang to everything you take out of the trailer in case you need to use any of the old stuff as templates.
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