Ready for a good laugh?

[Frank's Trailer Works]

I am trying to figure out my trailers electrical system, specifically the 12 volt side of it. At this time nothing works even if the tow vehicle is hooked up. That might be because when I open the battery box, this is what I find...

I had read in a search that there was a fuse box under the front behind an access hatch. I removed the hatch and found this along with another snake skin....

I pulled all that out and now I scratch my head at what all this is....

I also scratch my head over what is what in the box by my rear vent. I would like to put in a fantastic fan, but when I open the cover I find this...

I should say that everything works on the 120 volt side, or did until I removed the circuit box. I want to put in a converter and batteries. Will I be able to power up the 12 volt by jumping off of the feed on a light fixture?
Any help would be great.

[Lumatic]

Looks like you got Gremlins

[balrgn]

Someone did not enroll in RV wiring 101..

Good luck!

[lewster]

My deepest condolences!!!

[markdoane]

I don't think it's looks too different than factory quality wiring from that era. I believe you will find that all the thin (18 ga.?) red wires are running lights and turn signals. The other three wires are probably the brakes, ground, and brake lights. Sometimes the 12V charge line and ground were run through a separate plug located in the right front quarter.

At least that's a starting point.

[samb]

I have found that a "FOR SALE" sign will fix a multitude of evils.
Close it up and just tell the new owner that it needs a new battery.

But if you are too stubborn to quit, here is some help (maybe).

On my '61 Safari the wires in the battery box are:
Green------ ground
Red #1---- 12 volts to everything 12 volt inside the trailer
Red #2---- 12 volts to the breakaway switch and to/from the TV plug
for charging trailer battery from the TV.

As per previous advice, fuse all three.

I traced the green ground to an access panel on the front wall at floor level inside the trailer. There I improved the ground connection and added 4 more ground connections to the trailer body. A bad ground can cause all sorts of "weird" electrical problems.

As for your other ratsnest, I cannot say it any better than the "Lewster".
If I were you I would try it. It may work. If it does, redo all the connections and clean it up.
Sam

[rmpray]

Hey, ya gotta love a challange! Patience and a wire tracer sure will coe in handy. You get a tone generator and a reciever and you can surly trace it all down. You will probaby need to build a new fuze box. Find a good marine quality box for the low voltage and it should last forever, of a few decades whichever comes first
rob