|
01-17-2003, 11:08 PM
|
#1
|
2 Rivet Member
1976 26' Argosy 26
Columbia
, South Carolina
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 32
|
Wiring problems
Just recently became an airstream traveltrailer user. There so many questions that I need to know before I use this 1976 26' Argosy. When I bought her it took two days just to get the signals and lights to work. I do have a question about the charging of the battery while towing. My 1990 std. Chevy PU did not have a trailer 7 pin plug that uhaul installed. They did not run a wire from the alternator to the plug. Where could I find out how to do this and does this line need to be fused. What gauge wire. etc. Thanks to all that answer..
|
|
|
01-18-2003, 04:05 AM
|
#2
|
Retired Moderator
1992 29' Excella
madison
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,644
|
wires
mike,
welcome to the forum! you are at the right spot for questions.
you will need 10 gauge wire, with at least a 30 amp fuse in line.
on your chevy's passenger side fire wall there should be a terminal for accessory power. it should be under the plastic cover that houses the fuel pump relay etc.
if you have a service manual for your truck it will be pictured there.
if you do not, someone here will!
john
|
|
|
01-18-2003, 04:09 AM
|
#3
|
Retired Moderator
1992 29' Excella
madison
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,644
|
mike
this site may help too.
mark's rv
john
|
|
|
01-18-2003, 06:29 AM
|
#4
|
Rivet Master
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 917
|
Thanks
Big J,
Thanks! You just answered a question that I had.
My buddy is installing my Jordan brake controller on Tuesday and I noticed that the guy who installed my receiver and the 7-way plug, ran a 10awg wire to my 30A fuse panel. My truck was prewired, but not for a 7-way plug(so he added 1 wire). I thought that the wire he was adding, was for my trailer brakes, but if I'm understanding this link, he ran the 10awg for my trailer battery charging.
If I'm wrong, please let me know.
Also, does Chevy put a 20A auto-reset CB inline for the trailer brakes?
John
|
|
|
01-18-2003, 07:01 AM
|
#5
|
Retired Moderator
1992 29' Excella
madison
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,644
|
john
you are correct, as for the circuit breaker that is user installed.
my '00 silverado has a 30 amp mega fuse for the binders.
john
|
|
|
01-18-2003, 08:28 AM
|
#6
|
Rivet Master
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 917
|
Additional question
My truck came prewired, but not for a 7-way plug.
A 10awg wire was added and I believe it was added for the charging system, correct?
Since it came wired for the trailer brakes from the factory, how can I tell where the brake control wire is terminated at on the truck?
I want to see is there is a auto-reset CB is inline or if they did used a fuse, what amp is it?
I don't want to sound like an idiot, I'm just learning how the truck is wired.
Thanks for any and all help on these questions-John
|
|
|
01-18-2003, 09:18 AM
|
#7
|
Retired Moderator
1992 29' Excella
madison
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,644
|
blue wire
john
since your truck is prewired, the brake(blue) wire should terminate at the convienence center that you plugged your brake controller into.
you also would have a 30 amp fuse in the box on your drivers side wheel well under the hood.
john
|
|
|
01-18-2003, 09:45 AM
|
#8
|
Retired Moderator
1992 29' Excella
madison
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,644
|
green fuse
john
this should clear it up....
john
|
|
|
01-18-2003, 02:03 PM
|
#9
|
Rivet Master
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 917
|
John,
I'm looking at the manual and my truck came with the Basic trailer wiring package, a 6 wire harness.
As I was a total novice(didn't even have the trailer yet) the guy ran the wires to that 30A fuse that you have the arrow pointing to.
He ran 2 wires from the plug up underneath to under the hood. What I now don't know is how he terminated them.
This is my mystery. Again my buddy, who's a good Chevy mechanic, is coming by Tuesday to install the Jordan brake controller and he's also going to add the 20A auto-reset CB.
I'm just trying to understand how it's all wired. If you're able to explain, great, if not I'll find out on Tuesday.
Tks-John
|
|
|
01-18-2003, 02:25 PM
|
#10
|
Retired Moderator
1992 29' Excella
madison
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,644
|
sounds like...
your mechanic ran both the charge line and the brake line to the same fuse.
that is fine. as a matter of fact you may not need the circuit breaker at all.
john
|
|
|
01-18-2003, 02:44 PM
|
#11
|
Rivet Master
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 917
|
Installer
John,
The installer ran them up to the 30A fuse and told me to carry extra fuses just in case, which I have.
I just thought that while my buddy was here, he could add the 20A auto-reset CB, but if it truly isn't needed, I may not mess with it.
I drove over 8K miles this last yr with no problems!
Mac
|
|
|
01-19-2003, 07:14 AM
|
#12
|
2 Rivet Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 95
|
When I set up our Suburban we put in circuit breakers on both lines and put in a heavy duty starter contactor wired to a key on source so it would drop out the charge line so we can stop overnight at Walmart without fear of running the tow battery down.
|
|
|
01-19-2003, 07:34 AM
|
#13
|
Rivet Master
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 917
|
Gene,
Good thought there! As I try to remember to unplug the trailer cord at night when just sleeping over, this is a nice safety valve for those laps of brain function.
John
|
|
|
01-19-2003, 08:01 AM
|
#14
|
Retired Moderator
1992 29' Excella
madison
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,644
|
good idea
gene
thats is a good idea!
i already have a similar set up, i got the snow plow prep package with my truck.
that included the jumbo alt. and a second battery and a soleniod.
i can run that battery right down to nothing and still start the truck.
and i don't have to worry about unpugging or replugging anything.
john
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|