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NicheVintage · 01-16-2010, 12:06 PM

All of our outlets have decided to stop working. Everything else i.e lights are working. They all worked when we purchased it. We were putting our counter tops back in and plugged in the fridge. We then heard a clicking noise in the rear compartment. We immediately disconnected the fridge and the clicking stopped. I should also mention we are plugged into power currently.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks from a frustrated Aluminum Rookie

NicheVintage · 01-16-2010, 12:07 PM

By the way we checked the fuses and all look well.

garry · 01-16-2010, 12:28 PM

Did you check the circuit breakers? Both in the camper and where you are getting your power from?

The lights work off 12VDC battery power.

Mexray · 01-16-2010, 03:46 PM

I agree with garry...check your AC circuit breakers carefully - older CB's become weak over the years, as we all do...

Is the 'male' plug on your shore power cord in good shape?

Ray near Lodi

NicheVintage · 01-16-2010, 07:01 PM

Ok, traced the power back to the house and it was plugged into a GFCI that was tripped. Reset it and thought we were back in biz... then noticed that only the front half of the outlets are working as well as water pump switch. Back half in the bed and bath area, no power as well as the fridge. So seems like the back half and fridge are on a different breaker...?

olddog299 · 01-16-2010, 07:34 PM

Never having owned anything close to a 76 model means I'm just blowing smoke through my, er, hat. Still, I can't help but wonder if you are aware that you probably have a separate circuit breaker box inside your Airstream which provides protection to all of the AC circuits inside the trailer. Most likely there is one breaker for the Univolt, probably are two separate breakers for the general outlets and another circuit which provides current to the outlets for the air conditioner and/or refrigerator. In my decidedly newer 25' Excella, the AC breaker box is in an overhead cabinet above my (twin) bed. Your location will probably be different. Look for it closer to where the AC power line comes in to your trailer. Best of luck with hunting down your entrance. Once you find it, experiment with a helper or helper AM radio to determine which circuit breaker protects which outlet(s).

77Overlander · 01-20-2010, 05:25 PM

On my '77 the outlet in the bath (above the vanity) is a GFI outlet. The outlet for the fridge, both outlets in the bedroom and of course the bath are on this circuit. I know this because mine just gave up the ghost yesterday.

Smokin Camel · 01-20-2010, 05:50 PM

If you have 2 GFI breakers on the same circuit you may end up with one or the other tripping again. They may detect each other so to speak. One GFI will protect a circuit two could a problem.

I ran into this on a generator once, it took me forever to even get an idea of what was happening, then a friend that is an electrical told me what he thought the problem was. I by passed the outside GFI and never had another problem.

Dajato · 09-04-2011, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NicheVintage

Ok, traced the power back to the house and it was plugged into a GFCI that was tripped. Reset it and thought we were back in biz... then noticed that only the front half of the outlets are working as well as water pump switch. Back half in the bed and bath area, no power as well as the fridge. So seems like the back half and fridge are on a different breaker...?

Hi - I was wondering how you solved this. My wife and I recently purchased our first travel trailer - a used 2005 25' International CCD, and are preparing to move to Oregon (from Tucson) in it. Currently it has shore connections, I just discovered that none of the gfci circuits are live, and the fridge is also out. Otherwise, AC, lights work fine. It appears that al fuses and breakers at the converter are fine. Ay suggestions would be appreciated. We leave in 3 days! Thanks..

richinny · 09-04-2011, 10:51 PM

it sounds like the breaker tripped. reset the gfci breaker in the 120v AC panel. turn it all the way off and then back on.

87MH · 09-05-2011, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NicheVintage

Ok, traced the power back to the house and it was plugged into a GFCI that was tripped. Reset it and thought we were back in biz......?

Are you plugged into a 15 or 20 amp circuit?

Were you attempting to run the AC when on a +/- 15 amp circuit?

Pulling too many amps on too small wiring causes a lot of heat, leading to low voltage situations, with the system calling for even more amps.

Chasing weak (burnt/arced) electrical connections caused by heat/too high amperage draw can be frustrating.

Reality check - your electrical system is probably almost 50 years old - might be time for a rewire while you have everything pulled out.

Dajato · 09-16-2011, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richinny

it sounds like the breaker tripped. reset the gfci breaker in the 120v AC panel. turn it all the way off and then back on.

Thanks. Made it to Oregon just fine. Outlets/fridge now all functional, now that I am not asking the AC to attempt to cool an aluminum bullet in the 110 degree AZ sun! Thanks for the tip. Best regards, D.