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groovzilla · 03-27-2020, 11:14 AM

All,

The previous owner of my 1964 Safari ripped out all the exposed wiring including the inverter (i assume it had an inverter)

the trailer is gutted/floors and walls intact

all the outlets/switches/light fixture wiring in intact and there is a large wire harness at the rear with various plug ins. also the original circuit beaker is mounted on back wall and untouched

can someone please upload a wiring diagrams to this thread?

i'll also post photos of the wire harness and other wiring at rear of trailer for some feedback.

much appreciated!

groovzilla · 03-27-2020, 03:30 PM

As mentioned the PO of my trailer disconnected much of the wiring in rear of trailer.

Here are the photos of the wiring in rear of trailer

Photo 1 - the 12v battery connectors
Photo 2 - The circuit breaker box
Photo 3 - What seems to be some sort of power supply attached on lower wall who's wires lead to the junction box
Photo 4 - Some sort of junction box where most wires are ganged from power supply mounted on lower wall

Any help in explaining the electrical setup much appreciated!!

Thx in advance!

Bubba L · 03-27-2020, 03:42 PM

I’ve looked on line and old posts but could not find a wiring diagram for yours. Some have said that the next couple of years newer than yours would have basically the same diagram. I had the same issue in the 55 before reno. Before I removed the interior skins I sketched elevations and marked where lights, receptacles, etc we’re located. Then we took a multimeter and rung out all the wires to see where they terminated in the trailer. So, with the continuity setting you can determine which wires went where. You had 120vac and 12vdc. Look at the gauge of the wiring to help determine voltage. Then draw your own schematic. Good luck

66Overlander · 03-27-2020, 07:00 PM

I'd recommend just pulling the inner skins and redoing all that 55 year old wiring just to be safe. Would hate to redo the interior and then have an old wire short out inside the walls the first time you went camping.

That said, in case you want to try to reuse the existing wiring, I can't help with the rats nest in the junction box. I believe the big transformer was the 1964 only way that the 12Vdc (more likely 19Vac half rectified) was provded for onboard sysyems, and maybe charging the 12V battery, when plugged in to shore power. There was no overall transformer/charger at all in 1963 Airstreams and 1965 was the first to get the famous, or infamous, Univolt charger. I believe 1964 was thus first year that all lighting and most other systems (vent fans, etc.) worked exclusively from 12Vdc. In 1963, light fixtures contained both 12Vdc and 120Vac bulbs with separate switches and fans may have either been 120Vac only or had individual transformers to allow operation from either 12Vdc or 120Vac.

As such, the wiring of a 1964 might be somewhat unique, though it might have a lot of similarities to 1965 and 1966. 1963 and earlier would be quite different.

I see a total of four 12Vdc circuit breakers in the tangle of wiring in the photos. Two by the battery leads and two near the junction box rats best. I would hate to trust them to protect the 12Vdc wiring. I would want to put in a modern 12Vdc fuse box or breaker box if it was me. I think Airstream had changed to that by 1966. Not sure about 1965.

Good luck!

batman · 03-28-2020, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by groovzilla

All,

The previous owner of my 1964 Safari ripped out all the exposed wiring including the inverter (i assume it had an inverter)

the trailer is gutted/floors and walls intact

all the outlets/switches/light fixture wiring in intact and there is a large wire harness at the rear with various plug ins. also the original circuit beaker is mounted on back wall and untouched

can someone please upload a wiring diagrams to this thread?

i'll also post photos of the wire harness and other wiring at rear of trailer for some feedback.

much appreciated!

I agree with "Joe-AKA-66Overlander". I would not reuse the existing wiring.

Remove the inside skins and run all new wire. Upgrade all of the electrical including old grommets. First decide on a floor plan! Then run new wire accordingly. Creating your own individual wiring diagram. Providing for things like New power converter, AC/DC fuse panel, Solar, Charge controller, Inverter, Batteries, Entertainment, Lighting, Switches, Fans, Heating, Cooling, Thermostat, Cooking, AC outlets, USB's, etc, etc. So many things they didn't have in 1964 that you might want now. And that's just the on-board 12VDC and 120Vac. Then there is the separate 12VDC sytem for the Brake lights, Turn Signals, Running Lights, electric Brakes and backup lights from the TV umbilical that have been bouncing around the frame rail for 56 years also.

But I think I might be getting ahead of my self. There are so many things to do on a fresh renovation first. It really depends on your intentions for the trailer. How deep $$ do you want to go? Any older trailer is going to have some issues. Some year and model specific, and some just age related.

Foe example, In my 64 Safari there was significant rear end separation due to the poor design of the rear storage lid, together with the water lines for the sink/toilet and tub were all copper and leaking in that area in the rear. It was a common occurrence in most similar years. I would be surprised if your didn't have some as well.

Axles, frame rails, Brakes, ETC.

I am sure you are going to find plenty of things to keep you busy, some expected and some not. "It's a good time for a project right now".

-Dennis

groovzilla · 03-28-2020, 10:55 PM

Thanks all!

Airwave503 · 03-29-2020, 10:37 AM

Congrats Groovezilla!

She's a beauty that needed rescuing!

I started my journey with my '61 Spaceliner thinking I would just follow the original wiring. In the end, I wanted all the latest and greatest so I had to completely start over. Good luck!