1979 Argosy Univolt problem???

[nick6930]

Hello all, I have a 1979 Argosy with the original Univolt. I hooked up a car stereo in it this weekend. However, when I turn up the volume with the bass booster turned up the radio shuts down. It will also shut down if the flood light is turned on. I am guessing that the radio (old cassette from the junk yard) is drawing too much power from the Univolt.

Could this be correct? Could it be something else?

I was planning on getting a new converter anyway, so want size converter should I get. The guy at Camping World said a 45 amp would be enough. Is that true? I don't know how many amps the original univolt is. Should I go larger? How much can the 79 handle? I am only running the lights, the radio, soon to run an Ipod and XM radio off the 12 volt.

Any help could be greatly appreciated.

Nick

[azflycaster]

Do you have a charged battery in the trailer? You should be able to play the radio without shore power if you do.

[richinny]

if you have a battery in the system, a bad ground at the 12v fuse panel can cause this problem.

[nick6930]

I dont have a battery hooked up yet. I just have the shore power 110 hooked up to the house. The radio will play all the time except when I decide to turn up the volume really loud or turn on th flood. I am not sure if it will turn off if I turn on all the lights.

Nick

[shermantic]

You are over loading the univolt! If you install a deep cycle battery you should have no problems

[richinny]

yes, the surge drops the voltage and shuts down the radio. it's not a good thing for any electronics like the furnace, fridge, air conditioner or radio.

[nick6930]

A new battery will be the next thing on the list to buy. What about the Univolt, how many amp converter should I look at getting? Is one brand better than another? I know to get a charge wizard.

My wife can not stand the sound of the humming and I could not stand spending a lovely weekend camping and listening to her constantly talking about that sound. The humming I can tune out.

Thanks for all the info.

Nick

[richinny]

randy at best converter is a member here.

check out his site.

BestConverter - Converters, Inverters, Electrical Supplies, Electronics

[Happycampers]

Nick.. Marvin put a 60 amp converter in our 30' Argosy "Costalottal"... love it.. your Wife will be sooooooooooooo much happier not having to listen to all that humming.... I know ... good idea is to run all of electronics off of a surge protector also... Argosys are great

[Bo Walker]

All this sounds like great information. But, in that I have just started on my first Argosy 20, I am very unfamiliar with the electrical, plumbing etc.
All the electrical and most plumbing have been stripped out. There are a few wall plugs still intact. There is no electrical panel box or converter box.
What should I look for and where and how should I install it? I think the electrical panel used to be in the closet in the bathroom, but I'm not sure. There are no holding tanks. There is a rubber grommet just above the floor near where I think the bathroom sink was. There is another on near the floor on the side wall where I think the fresh water tank was located. Also there's a hole in the ceiling where I think a light fixture once was.
The electrical wires have been cut very close to these openings and are back inside the cavity. I hope I can connect with some type connector. But I certainly don't know what the wires are for or where they come from or go to.
I'd be much obliged for any helpful information.
Bo