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VACList DigestVACList-Digest Wednesday, June 26, 2002 Issue 346
Today's Topics:
1. Electrical mystery
2. Re: Electrical mystery
3. Re: Electrical mystery
4. Siemens wireless tire pressure monitor
5. BUSTED PROPANE LINES
6. Re: Floor repair/replace question
7. Re: BUSTED PROPANE LINES
8. Re:
9. 55 airstream?
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Message Number: 1
Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2002 21:49:29 -0500
From: "Louis Joyner" <joyner@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Electrical mystery
While installing a new water pump, I could get it to run, but not pump
water, even with much troublshooting.. Returned it, and the same with the
second. Hmm. So I connected it directly to the car battery, and it worked
like a charm. Borrowed the neighbor and his voltmeter, and found that
everywhere there was supposed to be 12volt DC current, I had random voltages
of AC. I couldn't tell exactly what voltage-around 100 in a couple of
places, higher and lower elsewhere.
The electrical system does not appear to have been messed with, and the
systen runs fine off the battery. Do I have a bad transformer, or is the
switch that controls city/battery power at fault? What's the problem,
what's the solution, and is this dangerous?
And folks, I have 4 kids expecting to go on vacation on the 5th. This looks
bleak, or at least it's way over my head.
Thanks
Louis Joyner
'64 Overlander
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Message Number: 2
Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2002 21:24:58 -0600
From: Jere Potter <potterjrp@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: Re: Electrical mystery
on 6/25/02 8:49 PM, Louis Joyner at joyner@xxxxxxxxxx.net wrote:
>
> The electrical system does not appear to have been messed with, and the
> systen runs fine off the battery. Do I have a bad transformer, or is the
> switch that controls city/battery power at fault? What's the problem,
> what's the solution, and is this dangerous?
>
> And folks, I have 4 kids expecting to go on vacation on the 5th. This looks
> bleak, or at least it's way over my head.
>
Louis,
This is the same thing I encountered with my 64 Safari_ the Transformer puts
out approx 17-19 volts AC for the waterpump & fan winding takeoffs, which
won't run the replacement waterpump. My old PAR pump motor did OK with that,
but the shureflow would not- it wants DC of course>
Here's what I did: go to Radio Shack and get a "rectifier" , which you can
install into the wire to the pump, which will change the AC to DC- it is
just a small component, kinda square, about the size of a nickle, and only
a few dollars. Ask how to wire it in if nesc. This should take care of it.
Other fix is just keep your pump switched to run from battery, it may last
long enough. Good luck!
Jere Potter
Fort Collins, Co
'64 Safari
'64 Globetrotter
------------------------------
Message Number: 3
Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2002 21:27:55 -0500
From: "Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer" <geraldj@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: Electrical mystery
Many meters set for AC respond to DC. And have different sensitivities.
There needs to be a series capacitor (some meters have that as an
option) to be sure the AC meter sees only AC.
You could be seeing a problem of poor grounding for both the AC and DC
systems. There should be no AC if you aren't plugged into AC power.
That's the first step to checking for isolation. Then be sure that the
AC neutral is not bonded to the trailer ground, all AC circuits should
be three wire (since the 60s at least) with one for safety ground, one
for line and one for neutral. Isn't there a switch for the water pump
near the kitchen sink?
Some of the early "transformers" supplied AC to fans and maybe the water
pump. Your modern pump won't like that AC much and will insist on having
DC as from the battery.
Water can always be carried in the back of the truck (and in various
parts of the trailer) in gallon to 5 gallon containers and be very
rationed.
Gerald J.
--
Entire content copyright Dr. Gerald N. Johnson. Reproduction by
permission only.
------------------------------
Message Number: 4
Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2002 22:13:57 -0600
From: "Terry O'Neill" <woodfloor@xxxxxxxxxx.ca>
Subject: Siemens wireless tire pressure monitor
Siemens has developed a wireless pressure sensor. More info at this link:
http://www.siemensvdo.com/news/2001/iaa/09008e.htm
Looks like auto applications are planned but trailers can't be far behind.
(no pun intended)
Terry O'Neill
Calgary
66 Trade-Wind Double
WBCCI 4786
VAC
http://pages.sprint.ca/Streamsite/main.html
------------------------------
Message Number: 5
Date: Wed, 26 Jun 2002 08:15:45 -0400
From: "Noah" <noahnoa@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: BUSTED PROPANE LINES
Hi
A word of caution
Yesterday evening while watching TV I heard a loud POP followed by what
sounded like a jet engine outside my trailer.
I ran outside to discover that one of the pigtail connection from my LP tank
to the regulator had come apart. A brass fittings at one end had slipped
out of the rubber tubing. I quickly and carefully turned off the valve on
the propane tank and have changed all of the rubber lines on the LP system.
I bought the trailer about 2 years ago and had made a mental note to change
all of the rubber LP lines but just neglected to do it. Fortunately I was
home when the line burst. I cringe at the thought of what could have
happened if I was not there. Even though propane is heavier than air and
will settle, this connection was very close to the front window which was
wide open and the force of the propane shooting out could have very easily
filled the trailer with gas.
The trailer could have been replace but not my very good dog Sheba.
Please don't put off changing those lines, as I had done.
Regards,
Noah
1974 A/S AMB 29'
------------------------------
Message Number: 6
Date: Wed, 26 Jun 2002 07:36:48 -0500
From: "Thomas, George C (N-YOH)" <george.c.thomas@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: Re: Floor repair/replace question
Hello Bob and everyone.
Yes I do have a heater vent in my bathroom floor. It is connected to the
heating system and in the winter it puts warm air in the bathroom and blows
on the black water tank to keep it from freezing. My parents were the
previous owners of the coach and took the coach to Signal Mt, Tn one year
for Christmas vacation. The weather was not too bad. But while they were
there they had a winter storm move in. The furnace kept them warm and the
black tank never did freeze.
Bob, I'm working on it. If you know what I mean.
George Thomas
'66 Safari
------------------------------
>Just curious if other 66 Safari owners (Victor, Alex, George :) have
heaters
>in their BR floors.
>Bob Kiger http://cruiserbob.com
>66 Airstream Safari
>Mira Mar Mobile Park
>Oceanside, CA
------------------------------
Message Number: 7
Date: Wed, 26 Jun 2002 08:02:01 -0500
From: "Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer" <geraldj@xxxxxxxxxx.net>
Subject: Re: BUSTED PROPANE LINES
And check new and old propane lines and hoses with soapy water to find
leaks. One of the new hoses I bought a couple years ago leaked at both
ends the first time I applied pressure.
Gerald J.
--
Entire content copyright Dr. Gerald N. Johnson. Reproduction by
permission only.
------------------------------
Message Number: 8
Date: Wed, 26 Jun 2002 10:14:39 -0400
From: belrngr13@xxxxxxxxxx.com
Subject: Re:
>
>i considered going with an electric one...
>comments?
>
>Jill, Congrats on the Tradewind. As for the jack, I guess it really depends on what you want for your "BOB". If you are going to try all original then you need to crank, but talking ease, go with the electric. We put electric on our "61" Tradewind and haLinda Bell belrngr13@xxxxxxxxxx.com
------------------------------
Message Number: 9
Date: Wed, 26 Jun 2002 14:31:07 -0700 (PDT)
From: airstream lover <caravel66@xxxxxxxxxx.com>
Subject: 55 airstream?
I just acquired an airstream that is completely
gutted. I love the outside because it is in perfect
condition, but the floor is completely shot and I have
no idea how it gets power to all of the lights. There
is a little plug on the outside next to the license
plate that has three flat prongs in it. Does this need
to be completely rewired? Also, can anyone identify it
for me? The serial number is 6537. 26' from tongue to
bumber, and it looks just like the 26' Cruiser on the
vintageairstream site. The photos home page lets you
click on a 55 Overlander but when you get to the
actual photos it says at the top it is a 55 Cruiser.
So I am really confused. Can you tell anything from
the serial number?
Where should I start on this thing? The floor or the
wiring? Maybe someone has a suggestion. Or maybe
someone wants it.
Al
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End of VACList-Digest #346
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