Basecamp electrical

[Roxdog2341]

I bought a 2017 Basecamp in July. I love the thing, however, I'm very confused by it's electrical setup. Is it 100% necessary to have a generator in order to use the 12v plugs? I'm getting very frustrated. I had two new batteries put in, and still no luck. Thoughts?

[OTRA15]

Welcome to the forum!

Here are some guesses from someone who does not own a Basecamp . . .

"No" on the gen needed, if you have true 12-volt outlets. A generator supplies 120 volts. Your 12-volt outlets, if any, would look like the old-fashioned cigarette lighter outlets, and should be powered by the battery just fine. Check the owner's manual on this, and to confirm that you do indeed have true 12-volt outlets. Also on how to reset your 12-volt circuit breakers. If you can pull the 12-volt outlets out from the wall, see if there are any loose or missing connections on the back connection points. You might have to pull the 12-volt distribution panel out to see if there are missing/loose connections back there too.

However -- are you sure outlets are actually 12-volt outlets, like the old "cigarette lighter" outlets? I did not think the BC had any. Yes, you might have some USB outlets, but those only receive a USB plug for charging phones etc.

Good luck!

Peter

PS -- The AS BC specs call out only USB and 110 pop-up outlets:

https://www.airstream.com/travel-tra...camp/features/

Any chance you ordered optional 12-volt outlets?

PS2 -- The following quote seems to indicate that the pop-up outlets are only for 110 volts, AND that the USB outlets only work on shore power IMO:

[click on arrow in quote to go to that post in the other thread]

Originally Posted by Bborzell

My original question was grounded in what the dealer told us about the electrical wiring. That was that the 110 stalks in the front counter and the usb ports contained in the stalks were wired for shore power only. They said that all of the other usp ports were similarly dedicated for shore power only.

My interest is in being able to charge phones and iPads while dry camping. It doesn't make much sense, in my opinion, to advertise a trailer as designed for dry camping while restricting 12V charge ports to shore power.

I will call Airstream on Monday.

I have posted in that thread, asking for a reply here on your questions. Good luck.

This thread may also be helpful:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f404...ge-166863.html

Lastly you might want to check out the Basecamp forum regarding other issues:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f404/

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by Roxdog2341

I bought a 2017 Basecamp in July. I love the thing, however, I'm very confused by it's electrical setup. Is it 100% necessary to have a generator in order to use the 12v plugs? I'm getting very frustrated. I had two new batteries put in, and still no luck. Thoughts?

Welcome to the forum! I assume you saw my earlier post? Did the dealer give you any feedback on this?

Here is a new quote from that other thread:

[click on arrow in quote to go there]

Originally Posted by slurpee

B.C. does not come with 12v outlets. My AS dealer is installing one for me.

Thanks slurpee for the clarification, and welcome to the forum also.

Peter

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Roxdog2341

I bought a 2017 Basecamp in July. I love the thing, however, I'm very confused by it's electrical setup. Is it 100% necessary to have a generator in order to use the 12v plugs? I'm getting very frustrated. I had two new batteries put in, and still no luck. Thoughts?

No, you don't need a generator to power the 12v plugs, if for no other reason the Basecamp does not come with 12v plugs. 5v and 120v only.