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Old 09-20-2014, 06:22 PM   #1
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2015 Flying Cloud 25FB

Well, we've done it again! After a little less than a year in our 2012 Flying Cloud 23FB, we are going back to a 25FB. Old Lucy was a 2005 Safari 25FB. She was one of the the first FB's ever made. The Factory made about ten units with the door hinged at the rear, before switching to a front hinged door. Old Lucy was one of those. In eight years we spent over 1,400 nights in old Lucy, and towed her about 120,000 miles. Last year we traded her on the 23FB, thinking that we were doing the right thing.

We have spent almost 150 nights in the 23FB, and have towed her about 15,000 miles. We have decided to go back to a 25FB.

We have a deposit on a 2015 FC 25FB Twin at Dixie RV in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. We are still in Amarillo, Texas tonight, making our way back home. We will pick up our new girl sometime next week or the week after.

The first question that I have is about use of the 1,000 watt inverter in the new Airstreams. How do you access the inverter, and what type of electrical items are you using it for?

Brian
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Old 09-20-2014, 06:32 PM   #2
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It could allow a powered (800 watt) microwave, like came in our Classic, to operate with no other AC powered equipment operating. One would have to really search for a hair dryer with that little of a current draw.

One has to consider the factory installed Interstate group 24 batteries and whether you will have a generator or two or solar system to recharge the batteries.
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Old 09-20-2014, 06:37 PM   #3
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Congratulations... and thanks for the ongoing documentation on how the 23FB performed during "Lucy's Big Campout"!

(BTW... even though we have a 600 watt inverter, we have not actually needed to use it in years.)

Bill
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Old 09-20-2014, 07:28 PM   #4
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Assuming it hasn't changed (we have a 2014 25fb International) the inverter is located under the bed right next to the nightstand. It powers three outlets: one below each TV and one in the rear roof locker where the radio and Bluray player plug in). If you want to use those items on the inverter you have to move the plugs to the inverter outlets. Again.....this is for a 2014.


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Old 09-20-2014, 07:37 PM   #5
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Assuming it hasn't changed (we have a 2014 25fb International) the inverter is located under the bed right next to the nightstand. It powers three outlets: one below each TV and one in the rear roof locker where the radio and Bluray player plug in). If you want to use those items on the inverter you have to move the plugs to the inverter outlets. Again.....this is for a 2014.


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Our 2014 International FB also has an outlet under the dinette.


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Old 09-20-2014, 07:56 PM   #6
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First off congratulations on your new Airstream. I have a 2014 25 FC FB Twin and I love it. Been out a few times and look forward to spending a few months on the road. this is my first airstream. Glad I got her.


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Old 09-20-2014, 10:47 PM   #7
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Another question, is there an electrical outlet on or near the night stand in the twin bed configuration?

Brian
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Old 09-20-2014, 10:59 PM   #8
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On our 2014 rear twin there is a regular outlet at the head of one bed the other bed ( with the tv) has a regular outlay and an inverter outlet.


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Old 09-20-2014, 11:08 PM   #9
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On our 2014 rear twin there is a regular outlet at the head of one bed the other bed ( with the tv) has a regular outlay and an inverter outlet.


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Thanks. We were tying to determine if there was an electrical outlet for a lamp at the nightstand.

Brian
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Old 09-21-2014, 08:40 AM   #10
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On the ducted a/c system, is there a dust filter somewhere that can be cleaned?

Brian
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Old 09-21-2014, 09:04 AM   #11
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We retrofitted a unique 20 Amp duplex outlet that has two USB charging ports below the drawer in the night stand between the twin beds.

Newer Technology Power2U Dual Socket USB Wall Outlet

We also have the two duplex outlets above the twin bed pillows and one for the television installed by Airstream.

We changed both television outlets to ones with a power switch so the television is truly off when not in use and thus not consuming power from an inverter for the instant on "feature". We just completed replacing all the factory installed outlets with high grade 20 amp GFI outlets wiring so that one tripping does not kill the entire power circuit. Thus we now have only standard circuit breakers in the box - no GFI breaker.
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Old 09-21-2014, 10:02 AM   #12
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Brian,

Years ago I read many of your postings with great interest. We were thinking about a 25FB and you helped make up our minds. I was a bit surprised to read that you had decided to downsize. Not many do that but to each his own.

I would love to up size to a 27FB because we are dedicated to keeping the queen bed and this would be a good way to gain the extra space we would like. Of course the ducted air would also be a nice addition. With the twin beds that you are getting, your decision sounds like a very sound one.

Best wishes to you. May you have many more trips to enjoy. Keep posting, I am looking forward to hearing all about the AC system.

Dick
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Old 09-21-2014, 11:14 AM   #13
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We agree the 25 is a good balance between too big and too small. I don't like the current dinette setup so we changed it, I am surprised they don't offer another seating choice. The queen bed arrangement is something we are also dedicated to, but the twin bed on each side is certainly an excellent choice for those who have difficulty getting in and out of it.
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Old 09-21-2014, 12:13 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by moosetags View Post

The first question that I have is about use of the 1,000 watt inverter in the new Airstreams. How do you access the inverter, and what type of electrical items are you using it for?

Brian
If it is the same WFCO inverter used in the 2014's it is hooked up to several dedicated inverter outlets.

Since the WFCO that I have has a 1.75 to 1.90 idle current draw, you do not want to leave it on when you are not using it, or have minor loads on it as the idle draw is significant.

I have used mine frequently for powering a "real" electric toaster (about 800 watts) or a small microwave (again maybe 900 watts). Since they take 80 to 90 amps at 12 volts you don't want to leave them on or use them a lot, but they do work well for short time use.

For smaller 120 volt use loads I have a second inverter, a Morningstar true sine, which not only has a much lower idle current draw of 0.4 amps, but a search function which automatically shuts it off when no power is being used from it. I like that feature very much.
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Old 09-21-2014, 12:47 PM   #15
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We have a 2014 FB Eddie Bauer and the inverter is located under the bed as with the 25. We added some bedside inverter outlets for my CPAP. The other day I was looking at the inverter unit itself and was pleased to see that it is a 1,000 watt pure sine wave inverter and not the cheaper modified sine wave inverter. Kudos to Airstream for not going cheap on the inverter. That's one less piece of electrical equipment that needs to be upgraded!
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Old 09-21-2014, 01:11 PM   #16
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Good to see you back in the 25FB group! I was a bit surprised when you sized down to the 23.
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Old 09-21-2014, 01:21 PM   #17
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We agree the 25 is a good balance between too big and too small. I don't like the current dinette setup so we changed it, I am surprised they don't offer another seating choice. The queen bed arrangement is something we are also dedicated to, but the twin bed on each side is certainly an excellent choice for those who have difficulty getting in and out of it.

We have the 14' FC FB Twin also...the twin bed models offer more sleeping surface (70"X34"ea) than the queen (60"w) plus you get the added space between the beds which is very useful for dressing. Plus you get the 3 large outside storage bins with the twin models...many people miss that important feature. Only thing we miss is the 25' RB model includes a microwave above the fridge and also has window in bathroom, and slightly more space in the lave also... oh well...wish they offered a different living/dinning area, similar to the 28'. L shaped couch and separate dining is nice...we are happy for now...
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Old 09-21-2014, 10:59 PM   #18
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SuEllyn has been uncomfortable with the 23FB floor plan. It's a thing with the layout more than the size. Every time someone exits the dinette, it's in mid aisle. She always feels that she can't get through, or that she is in the way. We have been on our current trip for two months, and we have spent a total of 145 nights in the 23FB.

We feel that we have given it a fair try-out before deciding to return to a 25FB.

Brian
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Old 09-22-2014, 06:58 AM   #19
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Our 2005 25FB had the queen bed configuration. We actually prefer the queen bed, but opted for the twins to get the get the much more ample outside storage.

Brian
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Old 09-22-2014, 07:23 AM   #20
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OK; You haven't mentioned a name yet. Is this another Lucy ?
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