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Mikeyman · 06-08-2015, 06:52 PM

hey guys,

I'm going through my recently adopted '78 Sovereign and the Univolt plug under the front seat doesn't receive power...

I've tested all the other outlets attached to this circuit and confirmed operation of the Univolt itself by plugging it into another outlet.

Any ideas what's going on here?

HiJoeSilver · 06-08-2015, 08:36 PM

Check for a light switch in the area. There is usually one before that outlet so you can turn the univolt on and off without having to plug and unplug it. It's usually just a single switch metal box attached to the wall nearby.

Mikeyman · 06-08-2015, 09:10 PM

Thanks! I had thought the same initially, but nothing is jumping out at me right away. All the curtains are off and the cushions off the couch, but nothing so far. I think it would be pretty strange if this outlet just didn't work...

HiJoeSilver · 06-08-2015, 09:35 PM

The switch on my 79 was just outside the blue box containing the univolt. It would be strange for that one outlet not to work. Check the circuit breakers, I can't remember right now 100% but that outlet may have been on a separate circuit.
If it's in a metal outlet box inside the blue box like mine was you may just want to look inside it to make sure nothing's loose. Although loose 120v would cause other problems. Turn the power off first.

Mikeyman · 06-08-2015, 10:30 PM

Doesn't seem to be a switch anywhere, and the outlet is well attached.

The owners manual leads me to believe this plug is at the end of one circuit, which includes the external outlets, the centre twin beds and the Univolt. They all work, except the Univolt. All breakers are on.

My suspicion now is that the outlet itself has corroded or failed, but again, seems improbable... I'll change it out tomorrow and see if that gets me anywhere.

CDNCampers · 06-09-2015, 10:39 AM

Can you provide some pics? I went through a fair bit of inviolate issues on my 69 GT so I might be some help. You can email too if that is easier. frameandfocus@gmail.com

Mikeyman · 06-09-2015, 01:35 PM

I'd love to - what would you like to see photos of?

HowieE · 06-09-2015, 02:02 PM

Turn the power off and remove the receptacle to the point that you can test the wire feeding the receptacle. Power on and with a meter. It is unlikely that the receptacle would fail but you won't know till you test it.

If there is no power on the wires you will have to make a judgement as to which receptacle is just before that one and test there. Test till you find the open.

Mikeyman · 06-09-2015, 05:52 PM

No luck, the plug is not receiving power at all.

All the other outlets in the trailer function. Not sure how to test where the break is now? It must be between the last plug on the circuit and the Univolt. The owners manual leads me to believe this is the street side bedroom. Opening up the plug revealed a solid black braided cable coming from the top of the outlet housing (I think all the cables run through there). Not sure how to test that...

What's my next step?

HiJoeSilver · 06-09-2015, 06:05 PM

Back to my trailer today, able to grab my. 78 service Manila. How long is your trailer, doesn't show on my phone. Outlets are broken up into multiple circuits, so let's be sure Univolt is on the one you're testing.

HiJoeSilver · 06-09-2015, 06:06 PM

Center or rear bath if it's a longer trailer?

HiJoeSilver · 06-09-2015, 06:13 PM

Sorry, sovereign so I'm guessing 31'. Looking at wiring for all lengths, the univolt seems to be on a separate circuit from 'most' other outlets, but always seems to be on circuit that feeds the polarity light and exterior outlet. Check for power to the exterior outlet .

HiJoeSilver · 06-09-2015, 06:15 PM

Check wiring connections in the polarity light box, hopefully not to difficult to get to.

Mikeyman · 06-09-2015, 08:31 PM

Trailer is a 31 ft sov, rear bath.

Exterior plugs work fine.

I'll check for the polarity lights.

Starting to wonder more about a hidden switch....

NavyCorpsman · 06-09-2015, 08:46 PM

The Univolt is most likely dead. There are 3 Mallory capacitors and a diode rectifier. If the transformer windings are ok, it can be rebuilt. GALCO electronic supply (in Michigan, great service too) has the parts. The good news: A new converter is cheaper and quieter. And lighter.

Mikeyman · 06-09-2015, 09:16 PM

The Univolt works just fine once plugged into another outlet... The problem is that the outlet beside the Univolt is dead and I don't know why...

Al and Missy · 06-09-2015, 09:25 PM

My 2001 Safari had a bad outlet, coincidentally where the converter plugged in. The converter worked fine until I replaced it and plugged in the new three-stage unit. It didn't work.The outlet was one of the special RV outlets where the box, outlet, and cover plate were all one piece. The contacts inside were bent pieces of metal and one of them had broken. When I replaced the outlet, all was well.

Your older trailer may have residential outlets. While they are usually better made, I have had to replace some for making intermittent connections. A suspect area is the ones that you just strip the wires and push them in. I have had the gripper release the wire and it backed out of the outlet.

Al

Al

Mikeyman · 06-09-2015, 10:15 PM

Thanks Al!

I had suspected the same thing, so I pulled the outlet off the wires and hooked them up to a light bulb. Still nothing.

I can live with the outlet not working... What worries me is that there is potential for a fire if there are bare wires running through the trailer causing the outlet malfunction. Maybe an extreme case, but at any rate, I'd like to get to the bottom of this.

Mike

Al and Missy · 06-09-2015, 10:27 PM

According to the manual, the outlet for the converter in my trailer is wired from the outlet in the front on the road side under the window. Airstream has used the same wiring techniques for years, so maybe yours is wired the same. Pull the closest outlet to the non-working one and see if there are wires that have come disconnected.

Al

HiJoeSilver · 06-09-2015, 11:12 PM

So no power to the wires when disconnected from the outlet, be careful on live lines.
Looking at the wiring drawing for 31' rear bath that circuit goes from the #1 circuit breaker, then through the polarity light, then an outlet in the bath, then to a outlet curb side bedroom, then outside outlet, then to street side bedroom outlet, then forward to the univolt outlet. Check the bedroom outlet on street side, should be a little forward opposite side of the outside outlet. If it's got power pull it out and check inside , the push in outlets can have a different wire going in and separate wire going out. They get stacked pushed down into the grooves for contact. If the out going worked loose it could be the problem.
If there were bare wire touching somewhere you'd be tripping the breaker, so probably not the problem. Broken wire is possible but not likely.
Do you have one of those voltage checkers that you just hold on the outside of a wire and it lets you know if there's voltage present?