1977 Excella 500 31', which Dometic do I have?

[tschat]

I have now owned my first Airstream for 3 weeks. I have gotten through the electrical/water systems and now I am on the fridge. I don't know what model Dometic is in this trailer. The serial number plate on the bottom right of the door opening is illegible. I have even tried pencil tracings without luck. The unit appears original. The reason I ask is that when I try to operate the unit off of 110vac, the breakers trip. I beleve it needs a new 110v element. I would like to ohm out the current element to verify this, but I need to know its power rating to determine the resistance (according to what I have read). I have jumped 12vdc to the unit and the system cools. I haven't gotten to checking the LP system since I bought it to be able to try LP. I guess I have 2 questions:

1. The wiring diagram on the fridge said "+12vdc here" and there was no connection from the trailer. I was unable to see where any wires came from the trailer to the terminal strip. Is it possible that 12vdc was not wired in tihs trailer?

2. What 110v heater do I get for this system when I don't know for certain which unit I have. I don't think that all 110vac heaters are the same for the Dometics...

Thanks.
-thomas

[Holzarbeiter]

I have a 78 excella and mine is a RM 100, give your outside dimensions and a picture and I'm sure someone will know for sure

[SafeHarbor]

Hi, Thomas,

If it says, "Gas Electric Automatic Defrost," it's probably the original RM100.

Check your PMs, you've got mail.

Lamar

[acrane]

We have a 1980 Excells built in late 1979. We have only had it a few days but believe an owner's manual or service manual would be extremely helpful? Since you have a 1978, wanted to know if you had a operators manual and if so, where is the ac drain, it is currently running down the side of my trailer.

ac

[SafeHarbor]

Hi, Arcane,

Look behind the front streetside wheel. A low pressure puff will probably take care of it from the bottom with a minimum of fuss.

If your air conditioner has been replaced with a Carrier V, unless they did Inland Andy's drain modification, it's just the way they work. They blow the condensed water into the coils to improve efficiency. This may work SOMEWHERE, but in humid areas it makes drips down the sides, and mildew follows.

Since your '80 was made in '79, you can consider yourself a honorary 70's Excella owner, so welcome.

If you obtain the owner's manual, you can settle a mystery that comes up now and then. Rumor has it that the '80 owner's manual should describe the '79 Excella. I have the '79 manual that says it an Excella owner's manual, but it doesn't even show my trailer's front gaucho, mid-bath, rear twin configuration.

I don't imagine they changed TOO MUCH in between '79 and '80, so if there's anything I can help with, just holler.

Also, I've heard that Airstream has reprints of some of the Owner's Manuals. That would be worth checking out.

Lamar