Where is the AC/DC switch on a 71 AS Trade wind?

[Maggiefoss]

Hi,
I am fairly new to owning an Airstream, so this might seem like a dumb question. I have only used it at parks where I have an electrical connection. Now over labor day I am camping on the beach without any hookups. Is there a place that I switch my trailer over to using battery?? The reason I ask is, in ,my old 65 shasta trailer, there was a Ac/DC switch in the closet, so depending if you were plugged in or not you switched to what you were using. Do I do this in the airstream?? I can'
t seem to get electrical on unless I'm plugged in. Thanks for your help.
Maggie

[clancy_boy]

Got to ask - you do have a charged battery in the camper, right? If so there should be a switch by the battery that turns on the 12 volt systems powered by the batery. You will not be able to use the 120V outlets but can turn on the 12 volt lights and radio, fan, etc. Fridge should be on gas, No AC, etc.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Maggiefoss

Hi,
I am fairly new to owning an Airstream, so this might seem like a dumb question. I have only used it at parks where I have an electrical connection. Now over labor day I am camping on the beach without any hookups. Is there a place that I switch my trailer over to using battery?? The reason I ask is, in ,my old 65 shasta trailer, there was a Ac/DC switch in the closet, so depending if you were plugged in or not you switched to what you were using. Do I do this in the airstream?? I can'
t seem to get electrical on unless I'm plugged in. Thanks for your help.
Maggie

Airstream never installed such a switch.

Andy

[Maggiefoss]

We just drove it back from where i store it, so it got charged about 2 hours worth of driving. I just went out there and I could turn on the overhead light. My guage said battery very low (on the overhead console over the front couch) I think my battery is in its own compartment by the right rear tires, is that correct??

[clancy_boy]

Not sure where in that model. Two hours drive will not charge a low battery - even a long 6 hour drive may do a moderate charge to a battery through the umbilical, just not the best way to charge. Plug in or use a dedicated charger direct to the battery (generator) or have solar to charge during the day. When on battery you must be very careful of power use and how far you draw down a battery.

[Maggiefoss]

Thanks, I just read in the manual (when in doubt start looking in the manual....) that the trailer will use the battery power when not connected to 120 volt. so it just happens automatically. It also says to keep it connected to the 120 volt to charge the battery to full power. I was just confused because of my last trailer having a switch. thanks for your help!!