Battery switch?

[roblo101]

Hello all
I have read thru several threads and ya'll talk about the
battery switch, being in the "store/in use" position. I have a
79 excella 500, my question is, does all campers come with this
factory switch, or is it a good item to install myself.

My univolt is getting power, and does hummmm while pluged in, my
batteries was fully charged, and the next day my 12v power shut off.
All fuses and connections look ok an all are tight.

Ever heard of a converter going bad and sucking all life out of batteries?
Will have to invest in a multi-meter

Thanks Rob

[azflycaster]

A multi meter is a very good investment and they are not very expensive.

Just because your univolt hums does not mean it is working, it just means that it has power going to it. Get a meter ($20 at Home Depot), see what voltages are where and go from there.

[Mexray]

Rob, we've just been chatting about this subject at:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f449...ing-58285.html

You might get some hints on that thread...

I replaced our older Univolt unit with a new three-stage solid state converter/charger from bestconverter.com - Randy there can help you find the correct unit for your AS - reasonable prices as well, and you can easily install it yourself...

With regard to the 'switch' issue, the newer model AS's come with the battery disconnect switch as standard equipment, I believe...our older AS's done have one, of course, and one would be handy if you put your AS into storage without any power...

If you don't have a battery switch, you can unplug the battery cable harness inside the battery box to isolate the batteries from any stray discharging currents while in storage - don't forget to fully charge your batteries BEFORE storage...

With the new 3-stage converter/charger, we keep our AS plugged into AC power all the time, and the batteries are 'floated' properly to keep them fully charged...

Also, like Richard mentioned, a cheap digital VOM is a handy piece of equipment to carry in your tool box when you're on the road - it's an invaluable tool when trying to find those electrical gremlins...if you have a Harbor Freight near you, they have em' on sale every couple of months for about $3 - can't get much cheaper than that!

Hope that helps...Ray

[Zeppelinium]

Get 3 $4 meters at Harbor Freight. One will break eventually, but the other two will last years and they are accurate for our purposes. Put one in every tool box, the odds and ends drawer in your Airstream, and the shop!

Zep

[Mexray]

Zep...I've been using those cheapo VOM's from HF for years at my shop...

I've really had no problems with the meters themselves, but the flexible leads usually end up breaking off at the end of the probes from our heavy use...a few others, we've had to change out the 9 volt battery, as we sometimes forget to turn off the power switch...dummys, us!

When they're on sale, I'll buy a dozen of em', add a couple of bucks and sell em' at my shop...like you said, a great item to keep around an RV!

Ray

[Zeppelinium]

Originally Posted by Mexray

...
I've really had no problems with the meters themselves, but the flexible leads usually end up breaking off at the end of the probes from our heavy use....

Exactly where mine break, too! Maybe we should buy leads somewhere else...

Zep

[DaveFL]

Originally Posted by Zeppelinium

Exactly where mine break, too! Maybe we should buy leads somewhere else...

Zep

Last replacement leads cost more than HF meter at Radioshack

If you find a good cheap source please post, 3 of the 4 meters I have the leads are broken.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, come-on you guys are Airstream owners; Buy a Fluke meter. One meter should last a life time unless it grows legs and walks off. I bought my Fluke 73 at Lowes several years back. They had a 50% off sale and at that price, it was lower than my cost was, when I was a Mac Tools distributor.

[Mexray]

When a lead 'parts' where it fits into the probe, I have successfully then soldered an alligator clip in it's place - actually makes the meter easier to use 'one handed'...