2000 Coleman Fairview Battery Add-On

[swillh]

Deleted

[tknick]

The plug for the battery can only be purchased from Fleetwood.  However, you could use any male/female plug that could handle the current load.  It doesn't have to be the fleetwood one.  As far as I know (and someone will correct me if I am wrong) nothing needs to be added to the circuit.  All the wiring for your 12v appliances is already done inside at the converter.  If your PU has brakes, you will need to connect a break-away switch directly to the battery.  The switch does not draw any current unless the tab is pulled from the switch so it will not drain your battery.  The LP leak detector will drain your battery and hence the reason for the battery disconnect.  

As for the Hot Water Heater, you should be able to buy any LP hot water heater by any of the manufacturers.  You will just need to be sure you have space to put it.  The install instructions should explain how to connect into the water lines.  You may have hot water lines already there but capped off (if a HWH was an option).  If so, then just connect to those.  If you do not, it will get a little more complicated.  You would need to split the fresh water line from your pump and run a leg to the HWH.  Then from the HWH run the Hot water line to your faucet.  Obviously, you would need to replace your faucet if you did not have hot water controls there.  The HWH will also have instructions for connections to the LP system.  

If you aren't dead set on using LP, HERE is a link to someone who installed an electric HWH for around $200.  

Good Luck, and whatever you do, take some pictures and let us know how it turns out.
travis

[tlhdoc]

Congratulations on the new camper!  The easiest way to connect a battery on a Coleman/Fleetwood trailer is to go to a Fleetwood Folding trailer dealer (is there another one close to you, if not I know that my dealer will ship parts) and tell them you want a battery wire harness for a Fleetwood PU.  It consists of the other end of the plug that you have on the trailer tongue and a black POSITIVE wire, that has a auto resetting circuit breaker on it.  The other wire is white and is attached tot he NEGATIVE post of the battery.  The wire harness should cost under $20.  

[swillh]

The electric water heater addition seems like a viable option being that we will most likely camp the majority of time at electric sites. Being that this camper did not come with a pressurized water system (cold water only, no electric pump) considerable more work will need to be done, but I'm up to the task. Found something else today that has me inquisitive... the outside yellow porch light has the interior leads dangling in the cabinet with nothing to attach them to. Not a problem to run a wire to this and add a switch, just wondering how "stripped down" a version Coleman offered this campers as. Appreciate the idea, it may take me a while to install, but photo's will follow. Thanks for the feedback!

The plug for the battery can only be purchased from Fleetwood.  However, you could use any male/female plug that could handle the current load.  It doesn't have to be the fleetwood one.  As far as I know (and someone will correct me if I am wrong) nothing needs to be added to the circuit.  All the wiring for your 12v appliances is already done inside at the converter.  If your PU has brakes, you will need to connect a break-away switch directly to the battery.  The switch does not draw any current unless the tab is pulled from the switch so it will not drain your battery.  The LP leak detector will drain your battery and hence the reason for the battery disconnect.  

As for the Hot Water Heater, you should be able to buy any LP hot water heater by any of the manufacturers.  You will just need to be sure you have space to put it.  The install instructions should explain how to connect into the water lines.  You may have hot water lines already there but capped off (if a HWH was an option).  If so, then just connect to those.  If you do not, it will get a little more complicated.  You would need to split the fresh water line from your pump and run a leg to the HWH.  Then from the HWH run the Hot water line to your faucet.  Obviously, you would need to replace your faucet if you did not have hot water controls there.  The HWH will also have instructions for connections to the LP system.  

If you aren't dead set on using LP, HERE is a link to someone who installed an electric HWH for around $200.  

Good Luck, and whatever you do, take some pictures and let us know how it turns out.
travis

[swillh]

Thanks!!

Looks like I can use the battery box I purchased and just add a circuit breaker. I have numerous electrical connectors laying around the garage that will handle 30 amps, think I'll save a few bucks and improvise. I appreciate the feedback and am happy to see that no great expense will be needed to get the battery installed. Cheaper the better... besides, I have a hot water heater and water pump to install :O)

Thanks so much for the info.... I'll have that problem remedied tomorrow evening!

Congratulations on the new camper!  The easiest way to connect a battery on a Coleman/Fleetwood trailer is to go to a Fleetwood Folding trailer dealer (is there another one close to you, if not I know that my dealer will ship parts) and tell them you want a battery wire harness for a Fleetwood PU.  It consists of the other end of the plug that you have on the trailer tongue and a black POSITIVE wire, that has a auto resetting circuit breaker on it.  The other wire is white and is attached tot he NEGATIVE post of the battery.  The wire harness should cost under $20.  

[tlhdoc]

Found something else today that has me inquisitive... the outside yellow porch light has the interior leads dangling in the cabinet with nothing to attach them to.

I have never heard of the light not being connected.  Someone really screwed that up.  There should be a switch right on the light, probably on the bottom of it.