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03-30-2012, 03:42 PM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
1977 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
deland
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 101
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12v problems
so i just picked up a 77 argosy 20 minuet and towed it home last night. it needs some work but not bad at all, anyway here is my question. when i had it hooked up to the tow vehicle all the 12v stuff was working on the inside, got it home and parked it. was cleaning it out today and i hooked up 120 from my house and all the 120 works inside the trailer but nothing 12v will work. there is no battery hooked up in the trailer and the last airstream i had i didnt need the battery if i was hooked up to 120.
anyhow i think my converter may be bad and my question is does that sound right to you. is there any testing i can do b4 i shell out some cash for a new one
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03-30-2012, 04:18 PM
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#2
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Wise Elder
2010 30' Classic
Vintage Kin Owner
South of the river
, Minnesota
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,169
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Sounds right to me.
You could check the converter inputs and outputs to be sure it's not the wiring. If you don't know how it's probably better to have someone do it for you or show you how in person rather than try to explain it.
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03-30-2012, 04:45 PM
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#3
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3 Rivet Member
1977 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
deland
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 101
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what size is recomended for a new converter 60 amp? or would a 45 do for such a small trailer
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03-30-2012, 05:08 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2008 27' Classic FB
1959 22' Flying Cloud
fairview
, New Mexico
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 575
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Does it have the original univolt? Do you here a hum? If it doesn't hum check to see if you have power to it. Most had a 110 plug that it plugged into. Unplug the converter and plug in something such as a lamp or electric drill and see if you have 110 voltage there. This way you at least know that you are getting power to it.
__________________
Avion C11
1959 Flying Cloud 1969 Tradewind
1973 Safari
1983 34 ft Limited
2004 F250 superduty ext cab
2014 F350 longbed superduty crewcab
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03-30-2012, 06:04 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2019 27' Flying Cloud
Albuquerque
, New Mexico
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,917
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What arodriguez60 Said, and then...
replace the Univolt.
The converter technology is so much better now.
It's an easy, relatively inexpensive replacement.
__________________
Ken L 2019 Flying Cloud 27FB
2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab 6.2L Max Tow Four Corners Unit WBCCI #5783
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03-30-2012, 07:57 PM
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#6
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3 Rivet Member
1977 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
deland
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 101
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Quote:
Originally Posted by arodriguez60
Does it have the original univolt? Do you here a hum? If it doesn't hum check to see if you have power to it. Most had a 110 plug that it plugged into. Unplug the converter and plug in something such as a lamp or electric drill and see if you have 110 voltage there. This way you at least know that you are getting power to it.
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yes it hums, its dark out now so im gona mess with it a little more tomorow,
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03-30-2012, 08:54 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Sioux Falls
, South Dakota
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,403
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I found electric issues are usually pretty easy to diagnose. I start with the working power and work my way towards the non working element. My tools are a non-contact voltage tester, a 120 volt trouble light, a polarity tester, a multi meter, a small battery charger, and a 12 volt jumper light.
I'd check the last point to have power and that will be the source of the problem (unless there are multiple problems). If there are multiple problems it's still not a problem, I just repair them in series.
I'd replace the converter only after I was sure it's not working. Those are pretty easy to test without removing.
12 volt in my trailer all works without a battery installed.
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03-31-2012, 03:35 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2019 27' Flying Cloud
Albuquerque
, New Mexico
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,917
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I Say Again, Replace the Univolt
Why?
Because they fail incrementally, not catastrophically.
They just fade away through the years.
I lived with a failing univolt for 3 years and about 9,000 miles of Airstreaming in my first Airstream. Like a physician with a stethoscope and a blood-pressure cuff, I was always under the counter with my multimeter checking the Univolt, and in the battery compartment with a battery tester.
Sadly, it never really failed completely, though now I wish it had.
When I finally installed a new converter with a charge wizard, I was amazed and delighted at how it simplified my life.
When I got my second Airstream, I replaced the Univolt immediately.
__________________
Ken L 2019 Flying Cloud 27FB
2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab 6.2L Max Tow Four Corners Unit WBCCI #5783
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04-04-2012, 06:31 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1995 30' Excella
Bowie
, Maryland
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,345
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alumaholic
Sadly, it never really failed completely, though now I wish it had.
When I finally installed a new converter with a charge wizard, I was amazed and delighted at how it simplified my life.
When I got my second Airstream, I replaced the Univolt immediately.
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Your experience matches mine exactly - for a couple years, I just dealt with a univolt that was putting out low voltage; I eventually got used to the flickering florescent light. The final straw, though, was on a trip without a city water connection... when the pump would run, the radio would shut off (voltage too low). Replaced it with a PD 9260 and EVERYTHING worked better - the water heater lit more quickly, the light stopped flickering, the reading lights were actually usable for reading, etc. I replaced the one in my trailer as soon as I could (it was sliding, too).
__________________
1995 Airstream Classic 30' Excella 1000
2014 Ram 2500 Crew Cab with Cummins 6.7L Diesel
Sold but not forgotten: 1991 Airstream B190
Sold: 2006 F-250 6.0L Powerstroke Supercab
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