Hi from a new owner

[austinado16]

Just wanted to introduce myself and say "Hi" to everyone.

We just bought our first PU, a 1987 Starcraft Nova, from it's original owners.

Of course it needs some work, but I like projects like this and am looking forward to putting it back into original condition.

It's been sitting out a long time, so the exterior paint is very chalky and the plastic covers  on the sides are pretty sun rotted, as is the dome for the roof vent.  We've got a couple good RV supply places locally, so I've already replaced the outside light over the door, and the covers for the ouside propane hose, fresh water fill, and 110v extension cord.  The chalky paint is responding well to hand buffing.

I've never owned or even been around PU's, so I had to teach myself how to set it up and how everything works.  So far, so good.  I've got some questions and some "wanteds" if anyone can help out.

1) There is a single "on/off" switch just above the fire extinguisher as you come through the door.  What does this do?

2) It's missing it's 12v battery, but the plastic case is there, as is "some" wiring.  Anyone with a Nova or similar able to send me a photo of their setup so I can see what it's supposed to look like?

3) The fresh water tank and other stuff is there under the dinnette seat....same question as above if someone could send photos of how this is supposed to look properly setup and plumbed?

4) There's an "L" shaped metal rod that fits into the right upper roof corner on the inside.  Looks like it's just for hanging cloths on hangers?  Or, what's it really for?

5) There are 2 round plastic bases screwed to the ceiling on either side of the 12v rectangular ceiling lights. They have wiring going to them on the back side and look as though they are original.  Were they some sort of lights at some time?  I saw at the RV store a similar light with a swivel head on it, sort of a small spot light/task light.  Is that what was there?

6) It's missing the drop-in stove and the portable cabinete it sat in. Anyone have one for sale or know where I might find a good used unit?

7) It's missing the kitchen table. Anyone have one they'd like to sell (off-white)?

Thanks for reading, and sorry for the long first post!

Here's a couple photos:

[Popupper]

Looks like a nice camper!

The current issue of Pop Up Times magazine has a write in column called Dr Pop Up. You should email him and see if he has any answers for you. I think his email address is doctorpopup@popuptimes.com or if that doesn't work email dave@popuptimes.com - they are probably one is the same.
bruce

[masspopup]

Thanks for posting the images, it's great to see different popups.  It's amazing how a shot of the interior of a camper even 20 years old looks the same as campers 10 years old (like mine) of even many of the brand new versions.

Mine needs a few repairs as well, but that's art of the fun!  I think that once you have been on these forums for a while you will want to change this sentence:   "Of course it needs some work, but I like projects like this and am looking forward to putting it back into original condition."

With all the great modifications you can learn about online, my guess is that you will have that pup in BETTER than original condition!



Masspopup

[austinado16]

Thanks guys!  I'll send off an email to dave.

Yes, you are correct, with all the "new" stuff that I'll discover is available and upgrades that can be done, I'm sure I'll be adding those improvements.  Hopefully, I'll get a break in the weather so I can get it opened up and play around with stuff like converting the 8-pin TV connection to 7-pin to match our Suburban, get a 12v battery on board to test the 12v electrical items (fridge, water pump? and lights) and hang a propane tank on it and test out the fridge.

Once I find out what does and doesn't work, I can begin to chart a course.

[brainpause]

Thanks guys!  I'll send off an email to dave.

Yes, you are correct, with all the "new" stuff that I'll discover is available and upgrades that can be done, I'm sure I'll be adding those improvements.  Hopefully, I'll get a break in the weather so I can get it opened up and play around with stuff like converting the 8-pin TV connection to 7-pin to match our Suburban, get a 12v battery on board to test the 12v electrical items (fridge, water pump? and lights) and hang a propane tank on it and test out the fridge.

Once I find out what does and doesn't work, I can begin to chart a course.

Welcome to PUT!

Unless I am misunderstanding something about your wiring missing, you really don't need a battery to check your 12V items. Plug in the camper. If it has a converter, it converts 120V to 12V for your 12V items. That might make diagnosis a little simpler.

Larry

[austinado16]

Thanks for the suggestion Larry.  Twiddling my thumbs while these rain storms blow in.

Today, I did get the trailer's exterior lighting working with the new 7 pin connector and harness.  

Reading on another website it looks like the funny "fixture mounts" in the ceiling are actually 12v power jacks and not light bases with the lights broken off.  So yet another mystery is unraveled!

Anyone know what the "on/off" switch is for that's located in the cabinet above the fire extinguisher, just as you come through the door?  Is it sort of a master switch that controls 12v power to everything "inside" the trailer?

[chip]

Anyone know what the "on/off" switch is for that's located in the cabinet above the fire extinguisher, just as you come through the door?  Is it sort of a master switch that controls 12v power to everything "inside" the trailer?

Does the trailer have a water pump for pressurized water?  If so, the switch in question may be the on/off for the pump.  

Otherwise it may be time to start tracing wires.

[fshnfool76]

Your pup's interior is in great shape!  My '89 Coleman has a switch in the same place. On mine it's for an exterior light thats in the drop down step so you can see it at night.
alan

[austinado16]

Thanks for the kind words about the condition of the interior.  I'm pretty happy with it too, especially after hearing the owners tell of taking it cross country twice.  Once to NY and once to FL, and about all the camping with their young children!

More progress today and once again, Craigslist to the rescue!

It was on Craigslist that I found this PUP in the first place, and today I found a guy selling a 1 year old Optima Gel Yellow Top RV/Marine battery....for $65.  Turns out, it even fits nicely into the OE battery box under the forward dinette seat (although being gel it doesn't actually need to be vented).

So, new battery terminals with wing nut lugs for the wiring, new eyelets with heat shrink and I now have working 12v goodies....roof lighting, exterior light over the door, cigarette lighter power socket in the convertor, and a working battery charge level test gauge.

You're right, the on/off switch right next to the door is for the exterior light.  Of course someone's bodged the wiring to the light, so the light is getting power all the time and works with the switch mounted on it's base.  I checked for voltage at the back of the switch and both of the green wires have 12v when disco'd from the switch.  Be interesting to find out what's been done.

Found the water tank wrapped in a plastic bag and still in great shape.  It's a simple hand pump at the sink and I didn't realize how it worked......the round knob has to be pulled up out of the faucet and then it can be pumped up and down (in and out of the faucet).  Of course the knob has been snapped off and the top of the plunger with it.  I've glued the top of the plunger back on with JB Weld, so I'll see if that'll work before throwing a new faucet at it.

I know......pretty elementary stuff for you veteran owners.

Need to find out why the front ceiling light is inop, and what's going on with the exterior light switch wiring, test the fridge, and then I think my 12v adventures are done.

It'll be time to move on to propane and then sink/water tank functions after that.

Sure wish I could find a drop-in stove with the correct cabinet box....and a kitchen table.  Are there dealers with old stock or wrecking yards/salvage yards?

[austinado16]

Well 12v is all working.  Not sure about the fridge yet, there is load on the battery when I throw the switch on the fridge, so it is doing something. Running a heating element?  I'm letting the fins inside warm up with the door open, then I'll turn it back on and see if they cool down.

Tackled the inop ceiling light and on/off switch.  Turns out that up in the roof there are only power and ground wires.  So, a white(ground) and a blue(12v hot all the time) to run the ceiling lights. But, on the outside porch light that probably should be controlled by the on/off switch inside, near the door, it's also powered by the white and blue wires!  That green wire that goes from the on/off switch in the cabinet runs over to the right front corner with the white and blue and runs up the canvas to meet the blue and the white that come down out of the roof.  But there's no green wire out of the roof to meet the green coming up through the side canvas.  So they had green and blue twist tied together! And just ran the porch light hot all the time and installed a porch light with a switch on it.  

I wound up disconnecting the hot blue that came up from the canvas, and connecting the "switched" green in the canvas to the blue power wire in the roof.  So now that on/off switch is a master switch that controls power to the ceiling lights, ceiling power sockets and the porch light.  Seems to make more sense that way....at least to me.

Got the water tank installed and filled.  No leaks.  My JB Weld on the pump faucet didn't hold up, so I'll buy a new attwood pump faucet.

I guess it's about time for propane!