Removing Univolt in 75 Land Yacht?

[Randy Wilson]

I might have to pull my Univolt to check it internally perhaps. I have a 1975 31 foot rear bath Sovereign Land Yacht. Has anyone with a trailer like mine ever done this? Here is how my Univolt is mounted....It is behind the Univolt Low voltage distribution Panel, which was attached to a piece of paneling and screwed to the inside closet wall. This panel is attached to the closet wall. With it removed you can get a better view of the AIRSTREAM UNIVOLT BATTERY CHARGER AND POWER SUPPLY (MADE BY LITTON) as it says. It is a little longer than a car battery and is blue. It actually sits behind the bathtub right next to the outside wall. It is elevated about 6 inches from the trailer floor proper. And is bolted onto this peice of plywood with 5/16 inch pointed up bolts with a nut and a jamb nut. All the wires going from the Distribution Panel into the Univolt are smashed up next to the outside wall of the trailer hence you can't see and check anything in this manner. Separating the Univolt from the bathtub is a piece of sheet metal with insulation. If I cut away a portion of the wall I might, now I said MIGHT be able to get my hand in a hole and unbolt the unit (maybe).

Another problem, where the battery cable comes from the Univolt to the battery storage compart ment. It looks as though a person would have to grind rivets and tear out that internal plastic box that the battery sits on. Has anyone on the forum ever been in my predicament? For the sake of this discussion it appears the Trailer was built around the Univolt as if the Univolt would last forever and forever. Not good engineering in my opinion. Hope to hear from someone. Randy

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Randy Wilson

Another problem, where the battery cable comes from the Univolt to the battery storage compart ment. It looks as though a person would have to grind rivets and tear out that internal plastic box that the battery sits on. Has anyone on the forum ever been in my predicament? For the sake of this discussion it appears the Trailer was built around the Univolt as if the Univolt would last forever and forever. Not good engineering in my opinion. Hope to hear from someone. Randy

I have had to deal with this in a couple of coaches. You should not have to tear up anything to get to the battery cable. It should have a round rubber O ring that the cable goes through. If you are replacing the cable, twist the old cable to the new cable, and pull the new cable through using the old cable.
As far as the Univolt, can you take the panel off above it? It may be easier than having to break your arm in three places to get to the bolts holding the thing in. You may be able to take the entire mount loose, and pull it out to where you can get to it. When you get it out, I would have to suggest you should look into an Intellipower, or some other electronic charge unit.
And as for the placement being a poor design, it did last 30 years, and that is 100 years in trailer years , for all practical purposes it is forever...