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Old 08-11-2018, 08:59 PM   #1
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2019 30' International
Livingston , Texas
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Arrgh! Brand new Airstream with electrical problems!

Brand spanking new International Signature 30RB. Literally just hooked it up to 30amp service to start playing with it for the first time. Did we break it already?!

Here are the symptoms: shore power plugged in (confirmed 120V 30A). Socket tester shows power to the shore powered sockets. Each air conditioner unit works when turned on (we turn them on separately, so only one on at a time). Microwave/convection oven does not work (we don't use it, but we know it doesn't work because the clock does not light up). The refrigerator will only use propane and will not kick over to shore power. If we enable the battery disconnect (set it to "store") then nothing but the shore powered sockets work.

We've flipped all the breakers a thousand times, made sure the GFCI is not tripped, checked all the fuses in the breaker box and even the 2 in the converter behind it. All fuses appear to be functional.

Does this sound familiar to anyone? We're going to drive it back to the dealer service center on Monday (spoke to them on the phone and they've been very helpful) but if we can fix it without having to lose a day of work driving 50 miles away then I would prefer to fix it myself!
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Old 08-11-2018, 09:11 PM   #2
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Pull the converter and check all the wiring. My 27 had a few wires not tightened down. Water heater on electric did not work.
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Old 08-11-2018, 09:11 PM   #3
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Arrgh! Brand new Airstream with electrical problems!

Get an inexpensive multimeter and pull and check fuses using the ohms scale. Fuses should show close to zero ohms. Use AC voltage scale to check outlets, etc. If you are not familiar with using a meter, I’d suggest finding a friend that is familiar, or hang in there and bug the dealer Monday...

I’m in Southern California, (city of Corona south of Anaheim) at the moment) but I suspect a bit too far away from you.
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Old 08-11-2018, 09:26 PM   #4
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If you look at electric schematic in the owners manual for any of the trailers with a 50 amp electric panel, they show the air conditioners on separate legs of the 240v service. If both AC units will run when using a 120v 30 amp service, then there was an error when the wire/beakers were installed. I think the front AC and the microwave should work while on 30 amp, but not the rear AC.

It is a 10 minute fix to snap the breakers into the correct positions, IF one knows which breakers are in the wrong spot.

add edit:
When looking at the schematic drawing in the owners manual, there is an "M" that separates the circuit numbers. The circuits on the left of the M are on one 120v leg, the circuit on the right are on the other 120v leg.
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Old 08-11-2018, 09:26 PM   #5
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When I welcomed you earlier today on another thread, I didn't realize you'd be posting so soon. But you will get help here (just probably not from me).
I don't have a 3-way fridge so I won't even venture a guess there.

However, on the non-working microwave, it may be normal. Let me explain. When you're hooked up to electricity, a power module allocates power by limiting use of some appliances while others are on. This keeps from overloading the circuits.

Your new model may be different from what I'm about to describe. See if you have a panel that shows power source as either "GEN", "20A", "30A" or "50A". On the other side of this panel will be a list of appliances that (depending on your power source) will be powered in a priority order. Generally, the Water Heater or A/C have first priority with the microwave on the bottom of the list. If one of the higher priority appliances is running, the microwave will not be given power. If no W/H or A/C is on, then after a few minutes for this module to figure that out, the microwave should beep and come on.

I don't think I'm explaining this clearly. Read you owner's manual I'm sure others will explain better. Good luck.
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Old 08-11-2018, 10:00 PM   #6
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Did everything work when you did the walkthrough and orientation at the dealer? I’m assuming it was plugged into 50 amp service at that time.
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Old 08-11-2018, 10:52 PM   #7
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OP said he was plugged into 30 AMP.

50 to 30 dogbone?

So IF the trailer is built for 50 amps and there is a limiter of some sort 1) tuen off both a/c units and try the mocrowave and the refrigerator on electric and if they don't work first check... are they plugged in? (Yes that could have happened.) Then go to the multi-meter and then drive back to the dealer.
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Old 08-12-2018, 06:59 AM   #8
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We had a somewhat similar problem on our maiden voyage. It was winter time, so the A/C wasn't switched on, so don't know if it would have worked or not, but the furnace fan and other 12v electrics shut off. Woke up with it darn cold in the Airstream.


Got it to work by turning the run/store switch on and off a few times. Apparently the solenoid that disconnects the batteries was self energizing.

Took it to the dealer who said Airstream wired it differently in 2018 compared to previous years and it's been problematic. They rewired the solenoid/relay to be like earlier trailers. Haven't had a problem since.


See post #3 in this thread: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f542...er-177301.html
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Old 08-12-2018, 11:54 AM   #9
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I don't know about the AC units as I have only one in my 25 ft Flying Cloud; however, I did run across the problem of the refrigerator working on propane but not AC.

Checked the breaker box, etc. Then I read in the refrigerator manual to check the AC outlet the refrigerator is plugged into (which is inside the compartment behind the refer, accessible via the lower outside vent hatch).

Plugged in a shop light and behold, no power! Then tested the rest of the AC outlets in the trailer and noticed the GFCI outlet in the bathroom had been tripped. Pushed the reset button and the refrigerator switched over to AC power on command. You might look there.
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Old 08-12-2018, 12:21 PM   #10
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The microwave and fridge 120v power are both on a GFCI circuit. If you don't see a breaker in the box with a small square white button, look at the outlet in the bathroom, and see if that is the GFCI breaker outlet. Make sure the trailer is plugged in to shore power, and push the "reset" button.
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Old 08-12-2018, 01:10 PM   #11
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Thanks all!

Our 2019 International 30 has no GFCI outlet reset buttons that I can find (bathroom and galley outlets don't have one) but instead the breaker box has a GCFI circuit with a white reset button on it. We've tried that a dozen times as well, sadly to no avail.

@Foiled Again & @Silver Comet - I will go and check the outlets where the microwave and fridge are plugged into. Didn't think to check those!

Side note: When we first got the trailer home (Day 1), we noticed the battery voltage readout said 12.6. As we played with the trailer for an hour or two it (quickly?) dropped to 12.0V.

Then yesterday (Day 2), we plugged into the 30A service for the first time. We spent about 6 hours checking if the appliances were working properly and trying to self-diagnose these issues we're having. During that time we noticed the battery dip a little to 11.9 or 11.8 but later we'll notice it's back up to 12.0. I assumed that shore power was charging it and keeping it around 12.0V.

In the evening we left the trailer plugged in to the 30A service in order to "charge the battery" for about an hour and a half. When we went back to check the readout was still 12.0V.

I'm surprised the battery didn't appear to get any charge. I was hoping for 12.1 or 12.2 after an hour and half. Was that too hopeful?! I'm not sure what to expect because this is our first trailer.
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Old 08-12-2018, 01:18 PM   #12
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If the converter was actually working, the voltage should have come up above 12.0 in a hurry. This sounds like the converter is not getting AC power.
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Old 08-12-2018, 01:22 PM   #13
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Go back to your dealer, and ask for your check back.

Tell him he can have the check after a 6-hour walkthrough where they demonstrate every switch, circuit, door, drawer, curtain, fan, valve, drain, pump, appliance, and device, and after spending the night on the dealer lot while you do it again all by yourself. After you certify that everything, everything works, hand him the check, shake his hand, and leave with level of confidence in a fine product that works properly. If your dealer will not do this, get another dealer.
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Old 08-12-2018, 01:42 PM   #14
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Red... I feel your pain. When you purchase new and things are not operating as they should, you get that 'sick feeling'. I have had it in 2006 and repeat 2014, expecting a different outcome. It took several years to get the 2006 up and running 100%. When the trailer is 100%... you are content. It may take some time to get there.

I am almost finished getting the 2014 up and running 100% and now replacing the right side Dexter Brake assemblies. I do the work myself and the learning curve is steep, but necessary.

The batteries may already be damaged from the dealership lot. If the dealer needed to bring the jumper dolly over to supply 12 volt, your batteries may never hold a charge overnight. 12.2 volts is 60% charged. Hooked to shore power, 13.5v to 13.7v on our 2014 when charging.

I suspect that Dealers receive no compensation to fix problems BEFORE the Sale, but AFTER the Sale on Warranty.

A number of Airstreams on the lot in late 2014 had Fantastic Fans hanging to be replaced. The roll up window shades... not retracting... etc. Were the obvious interior observations at the time. The list then gets longer.

My wife and I went top to bottom on the 2014 before purchase, not realizing the batteries were already bad on the lot, sitting and not being maintained. Some 2014 and 2015 models on the lot we walked out of immediately. The problems exceeded my imagination... which is vivid.

Dealer Prep... only several dealers mentioned on the Forum have outstanding reputations for support. I would suggest possible new owners to seek them out. It is worth every Canadian or USA cent.

Find the Dealer's Check List and initials of the inspector. If they installed your Hitch... you had better have that checked sooner, than later.
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Old 08-12-2018, 01:49 PM   #15
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I am not familiar with the 2019 YET, but I would think if you just have the voltage meter to measure the battery (on the wall) it would show 13.8v as it is charging. My old trailer did. After cutting shore power it should read closer to the battery voltage. If it is at 12v while on shore power, your charger is not working. Call the dealer and while you're at it, put the batteries on your own charger to save them.
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Old 08-12-2018, 01:54 PM   #16
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Hi

Ok, so you fiddled the breakers. Did you check the power panel with a multimeter?

You have 120V at some places and not at others. The question is - where did it "get lost". The obvious place to start looking is at the power panel. You can check the output of each breaker with the multimeter. If there is power on the breaker output, then check to be sure the wire to the breaker is tight. Next measure at the outlet. ( Even the microwave goes into an outlet).

Best guess - the breakers aren't seated in the power panel ...

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Old 08-12-2018, 01:57 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Red Leader View Post
<<snip>>
Here are the symptoms: shore power plugged in (confirmed 120V 30A). Socket tester shows power to the shore powered sockets. Each air conditioner unit works when turned on (we turn them on separately, so only one on at a time). Microwave/convection oven does not work (we don't use it, but we know it doesn't work because the clock does not light up). The refrigerator will only use propane and will not kick over to shore power. If we enable the battery disconnect (set it to "store") then nothing but the shore powered sockets work.
<<snip>>
This video from Airstream touches on this subject:
https://www.airstream.com/blog/power...off-airstream/

In a trailer with a 50 amp service(4 wires), there are two 120 volt supply wires, from the 240 volt plug on the power pole. When you use a 30 amp (3 wires) adapter, only one of the 120 volt wires is energized inside the trailer. The other 120 volt line is not energized.

Looking at your breaker panel, the main breaker is in the center. Everything to the left (black circuit) of the main is on one of the 120v legs. Everything on the right (red circuit) is on the other 120v leg.
IF BOTH AIR CONDITIONERS WILL OPERATE WHILE PLUGGED IN USING THE 30 AMP ADAPTER, THEY SHOULD NOT, THERE IS AN ERROR IN THE WAY THE WIRES AND/OR BREAKERS WERE INSTALLED.

When using a 30 amp adapter, the fridge should work on propane only, water heating should be propane only, and the rear air conditioner should not work at all.
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Old 08-12-2018, 03:14 PM   #18
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Have had both issue 06 duramax fuse 16 duramax intermittently lost brakes. Fix a small piece of rope tied to bumper to hold plug up . Can’t flip plug engineers made sure it would not be a easy fix.
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Old 08-12-2018, 03:16 PM   #19
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One other thing. If trailer has been setting for a while rust on contacts inside wheels has to wear off. I usually hold the controller on for a short distance to hurry the clean up
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Old 08-12-2018, 04:29 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by A W Warn View Post
This video from Airstream touches on this subject:
https://www.airstream.com/blog/power...off-airstream/

In a trailer with a 50 amp service(4 wires), there are two 120 volt supply wires, from the 240 volt plug on the power pole. When you use a 30 amp (3 wires) adapter, only one of the 120 volt wires is energized inside the trailer. The other 120 volt line is not energized.

Looking at your breaker panel, the main breaker is in the center. Everything to the left (black circuit) of the main is on one of the 120v legs. Everything on the right (red circuit) is on the other 120v leg.
IF BOTH AIR CONDITIONERS WILL OPERATE WHILE PLUGGED IN USING THE 30 AMP ADAPTER, THEY SHOULD NOT, THERE IS AN ERROR IN THE WAY THE WIRES AND/OR BREAKERS WERE INSTALLED.

When using a 30 amp adapter, the fridge should work on propane only, water heating should be propane only, and the rear air conditioner should not work at all.
This is NOT correct. Every 50A to 30A converter ties both 50A outputs (to the trailer) to the 30A input (from the power pole) so EVERYTHING 120V in the trailer will still work, just not all at the same time, unless you want to trip the 30A breaker at the pole. How do I know? That's how my 50A Airstream Classic works.
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