1979 Airstream 28 Painted!

[Pmiller36]

Ok so several things from cleaning day!

1st Weep hole covers...someone in Airstream Addicts mentioned 1 but for 12 bucks a piece, I’m tempted to reattach with an adhesive...

2nd since I was playing in the rain I looked around inside for leaks and of course found one in the top corner of the driver’s side windshield I believe, when stepping outside there is a gap above. What is the best sealer?

3rd, Knowing my MoHo is a weirdo, would anyone know where touch up paint may be available, while scrubbing the barnacles off the outside some of the rivets decided to shed their paint...

Had a ton of fun yesterday, both arms and back are sore today! TIA guys!

[Minno]

Looks much nicer!
Touch up paint might be a trial and error thing....

Kay

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by Pmiller36

Ok so several things from cleaning day!

1st Weep hole covers...someone in Airstream Addicts mentioned 1 but for 12 bucks a piece, I’m tempted to reattach with an adhesive...

2nd since I was playing in the rain I looked around inside for leaks and of course found one in the top corner of the driver’s side windshield I believe, when stepping outside there is a gap above. What is the best sealer?

3rd, Knowing my MoHo is a weirdo, would anyone know where touch up paint may be available, while scrubbing the barnacles off the outside some of the rivets decided to shed their paint...

Had a ton of fun yesterday, both arms and back are sore today! TIA guys!

Hard to tell from the photos but Airstream list 3 colors used on MH in 1979

1979 Airstream MH Upper DuPont Centari 45205A Beige
1979 Airstream MH Lower & Window Frame DuPont Centari 45196AW Mulberry
1979 Airstream MH Ctr. Trim Stripe DuPont Centari 44184AN Copper

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by martin300662

Hard to tell from the photos but Airstream list 3 colors used on MH in 1979

1979 Airstream MH Upper DuPont Centari 45205A Beige
1979 Airstream MH Lower & Window Frame DuPont Centari 45196AW Mulberry
1979 Airstream MH Ctr. Trim Stripe DuPont Centari 44184AN Copper

Which is a different beige in the main body to that used 1974-78

Argosy MH Upper DuPont Centari 44534-A Light Beige

[skyguyscott]

I should point out the challenge of matching paint color -- i.e. even if you were to find the exact paint, even if, lets say theoretically, you get the exact same paint from the exact same paint can that was used to paint the MH in 1979, it likely won't match now because the MH paint has been exposed to UV for 40 years now.

So, that's why good body shops have to really custom mix the paint to get it to match seamlessly, Unless you want to just paint the whole thing, then you can go with whatever color you like.

[Pmiller36]

Originally Posted by martin300662

Hard to tell from the photos but Airstream list 3 colors used on MH in 1979

1979 Airstream MH Upper DuPont Centari 45205A Beige
1979 Airstream MH Lower & Window Frame DuPont Centari 45196AW Mulberry
1979 Airstream MH Ctr. Trim Stripe DuPont Centari 44184AN Copper

Just by the names those would definitely seem to match...any idea where I could order those?

[Pmiller36]

Originally Posted by skyguyscott

I should point out the challenge of matching paint color -- i.e. even if you were to find the exact paint, even if, lets say theoretically, you get the exact same paint from the exact same paint can that was used to paint the MH in 1979, it likely won't match now because the MH paint has been exposed to UV for 40 years now.

So, that's why good body shops have to really custom mix the paint to get it to match seamlessly, Unless you want to just paint the whole thing, then you can go with whatever color you like.

I figured I would try buffing the paint and then try touch up paint, see how close it gets...

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by Pmiller36

Just by the names those would definitely seem to match...any idea where I could order those?

From experience, when getting Bella repainted, although the DuPont Centari brand is not commonly available now, any good paint shop (for example a PPG service center) will be able to match a modern formulation to the codes. That doesn't mean they will match your paint though.....40 years of oxidation and fade means your paint will be very different from new. Again a good paint shop will be able to scan your actual panels and make a faded/oxidized match.

[vintageracer]

Drive your MoHo to any automotive paint supply store or in many instances your local O'reilly's or Napa auto parts store. Many have an automotive paint department within the store. They can SCAN your paint (clean and polish a spot to scan) and match a pint/quart of paint to use for touch-up.

A pint would be plenty for touch-up.

I do it all the time!

[Pmiller36]

That’s what I like to hear!! Thanks guys!

[Pmiller36]

How about #2 on the list? The floor is still solid so I assume it’s a new leak.

[martin300662]

There are quiet a few threads on the subject if you use the search function.

The basic approach is to mask around the seal, then lift and use Vulkem under the edge. However there is a lot more to it so taking time to read how to do it properly will save you a ton of time later.

[drbrick]

I have seen several Airstream trailers that were painted - never stopped to inquire the reason but I figure that it was simply easier to maintain??

[Pmiller36]

Well it ‘s been a busy summer, but today I bought a pair of batteries and was determined to make the MoHo better! Best part of the day, generator fired up for the first time, AC cranked cold for about 5 mins until the breaker flipped and nothing broke completely! ��. I’m sure I could use the search bar for the next 3 hours about the breaker but any quick suggestions from the peanut gallery?

[Magnet18]

Originally Posted by Pmiller36

Well it ‘s been a busy summer, but today I bought a pair of batteries and was determined to make the MoHo better! Best part of the day, generator fired up for the first time, AC cranked cold for about 5 mins until the breaker flipped and nothing broke completely! ��. I’m sure I could use the search bar for the next 3 hours about the breaker but any quick suggestions from the peanut gallery?

Was anything else running at the time?

Is it the original AC?

Did it fire back up after resetting the breaker?

[Pmiller36]

Originally Posted by Magnet18

Was anything else running at the time?

Is it the original AC?

Did it fire back up after resetting the breaker?

No, yes and tried but never got back up to speed.

[Magnet18]

Originally Posted by Pmiller36

No, yes and tried but never got back up to speed.

Did the breaker get hot while it was trying to get back up to speed?

I would also stick a multimeter in an outlet to make sure the motorhome is getting the correct voltage while the AC is running

Could be the breaker, could be a motor in the AC unit

I would replace the breakers anyway as general maintenance since they're like 50 years old, and if it's still giving you trouble then either troubleshoot or replace the AC, not much else it could be I don't think

[mayco]

About the only other DIY thing to check would be the capacitors. I'm not sure what would happen if one of them fried while in operation, the " run " capacitor I'm thinking. You could pull the shroud and inspect the capacitors for any sign of bulging or burn marks. Worth looking at if it were me. (If indeed a new breaker doesn't cure the problem)

I believe that the 13.500btu ac pulls about 15 amps at start up but less when running.

[dadstoy]

I've replaced the breakers on my '82 as well just to make sure that they trip when they should and don't trip when they shouldn't.


But let me throw this out...
From what you have described, it sounds like the generator is not running at the correct speed (RPMs) to produce a proper range of volts.



I have installed a surge protector on my '82 which shows me the volts, amps and hertz. These are all related and important to the proper operation of any electrical component.



Normal voltage is 120 volts. A minimum volt level should be no less then 110 volts. Now this is an important point...as voltage drops, the amp usage of any electrical component will increase. An A/C being supplied 120 volts should draw between 10 and 15 amps. If the voltage drops, the A/C will draw more amps. Circuit breakers will trip at a certain amp draw. More amps create more heat and it is the heat that trips the breaker.



The speed or RPMS for the generator will determine the hertz and ultimately the voltage output of the generator. Normal hertz in the U.S. for 120 volts is 60 hertz. If the generator is running too slow, the hertz will be lower and the voltage output will be lower. If the voltage is too low, the amp draw of the A/C will increase.



I'm always watching my voltage and amp draw and it is surprising how easy it is to get to 30 amps or above. As a minimum, I'm drawing from 5 to 10 amps. This is the refrigerator on and the 12 volt converter and anything else that might be drawing power. If the 12 volt converter kicks up to the third stage of charging it can draw an additional 5 to 10amps. An electric water heater will draw up to 10 amps when it is heating the water. Add all these together and you will trip your main 30 amp breaker or for me it usually trips the 30 amp breaker at the shore power pedestal.



When I'm connected to shore power at the ranch and on a cool morning, I can be at 120-122 volts and maybe drawing 6 to 10 amps. If I turn on the A/C, the voltage drops to about 116 volts and my amp draw goes up to around 20 to 25 amps. Depending on the space I'm on at the ranch (the quality/age of the wiring, receptical and transformer at the pedestal and the power pole), and the number of other owners there running A/Cs, on a hot afternoon the voltage can drop to 109 volts or less. At this point the amp draw of my A/C goes up and the breaker can trip or what typically happens is the built in thermo breaker on the A/C itself will trip. Once it cools down the A/C will kick back on.



Now apply all this to your generator. If your generator is running too slow, the hertz will be too low and the voltage output of the generator will be too low. Which all means the amp draw will be too high and will trip a breaker or overheat the A/C.


The way to adjust the speed of the generator is via the air/fuel mixture and idle speed screws on the carburetor of the generator. I've have had to adjust these on my Onan generator at times. This also depends on the altitude that you are at. The Onan manuals have a great description on how to adjust the speed to get the correct hertz. You will need the proper meter to do this. It is not possible to do this by ear.



If under normal shore power, your A/C will no longer turn on, it is possible that do to high amp draw and overheating that your "start" capacitor on the A/C has burned out. Its possible for the compressor to have burned out, but that is a small chance. The capacitors are easy to replace (usually 2 or 3 of them). Just follow proper procedures since a capacitor can store a high voltage charge for a long time after use.