Univolt Surprise 71 Safari

[silvercomet]

I have a 1971 Safari - 23 feet.

One month ago during a 300-mile camping adventure all systems worked fine.

It was parked, unplugged until we went camping this weekend and the battery died. It was a 6-year-old battery so I replaced it and the lights faded as it died. So I decided it might be the univolt. It humms - - but not as loud as before (if that makes sense) and it feels warm to the touch. I measured the charging to the battery and it is only about 6 volts or less. The AC breakers all are fine and the fuses in the univolt are fine.

I've read a bunch of posts and it seems like the "hummer" is likely broken. Now I can use it on the boat for an anchor. Finding a replacement converter seems pretty easy, but I am concerned about the built in fuse panel on the univolt. I am not too knowledgeable about electronics so I am wondering if the fuse panel can be removed and reused or is there a better method?

Thank you!

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by silvercomet

I am not too knowledgeable about electronics so I am wondering if the fuse panel can be removed and reused or is there a better method?

Thank you!

Yes. Cut out the old fuse panel for re-use, and weld a pair of flukes on your new boat anchor.

[Zeppelinium]

when you use the old fuze panel, you connect the new converter and battery normally. There is a third wire coming from the inside of the Univolt that your new converter won't have.

The only feature you won't be able to support is the "power" light that indicates if you have 115V shore power (that's that third wire from the Univolt). In order to make this work, get a cheapie little 12 VAC wall transformer that you can plug into a 115 V socket. Connect one side of the output to ground and the other to the gray wire on the fuze panel (it's got an itty bitty fuze going to it).

[wahoonc]

Silvercomet,
You could upgrade the fuse panel to the more modern blade fuses or even resetable 12v circuit breakers, or you can use the one out of the univolt. THIS is the one I plan to use...unless I win the lottery then I will spring for a Marine grade resettable fuse panel attached to a custom built Airstream

Aaron

[Safari Tim]

The univolt swap is one of the many upgrades I did on my old trailer. You can see the info on my website.

http://www.ldservice.com/tim/airstre...eplacement.htm

Good luck with your project!

[Excella CM]

An additional advantage of upgrading the fuse panel to "blade" type fuses is that some aftermarket manufacturers offer fuses with a built LED that lights and stays on when the fuse is blown making it easier to find.

Another trick item is a light bulb (6, 12 or 24 V) built into a case like a standard Buss glass fuse. If you have an extra circuit not being used on the board, you can wire a nifty light into the unused space.