Electrical system 101 for complete newbie?

[sacjon]

We recently bought a 1981 Palomino Shetland and I have absolutely zero knowledge of how the converter (or whatever the name is of that box with all the wires in the storage under the seat) works. I got the trailer lights all running after some tinkering, but I have yet to muster up the nerve to start messing with the electrical system in the camper.

Does anyone know of a good site or book that would explain just the basics? I don't even know how to test to see if it is working!

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!


Thanks,
John

[flyfisherman]

Ah, yes ... the basics.


http://www.trailerlife.com/output.cfm?id=41059


Good luck!



Fly

[austinado16]

It may be working just fine.  Install a 12v battery and see if the camper's interior lights work.

[sacjon]

It may be working just fine.  Install a 12v battery and see if the camper's interior lights work.

I plugged the cord into the outlet in my garage and flipped the switch to "converter" (there are 3 options - converter, off, battery) then pressed the breaker button (?) and it started humming but the interior light didn't come on - most likely because the bulb and fixture have corroded into a single piece!

So, do I really need a 12v battery if I have access to shore power? The only thing we would need it for is the (new) interior light and maybe a radio. We're doing a pretty bare-bones set up.


Oh, and here is the brand / model: B-W Manufacturers, Inc Series 6400 Model 6460 "Electrical Center"

Thanks for the tips!

[campdaddy]

So, do I really need a 12v battery if I have access to shore power? The only thing we would need it for is the (new) interior light and maybe a radio. We're doing a pretty bare-bones set up.

Thanks for the tips!

If you have electric bakes you need the battery for the breakaway braking to work. Just a safety consideration. However if you don't have electric brakes then it a moot point.

[wavery]

I plugged the cord into the outlet in my garage and flipped the switch to "converter" (there are 3 options - converter, off, battery) then pressed the breaker button (?) and it started humming but the interior light didn't come on - most likely because the bulb and fixture have corroded into a single piece!

So, do I really need a 12v battery if I have access to shore power? The only thing we would need it for is the (new) interior light and maybe a radio. We're doing a pretty bare-bones set up.


Oh, and here is the brand / model: B-W Manufacturers, Inc Series 6400 Model 6460 "Electrical Center"

Thanks for the tips!

If the ceiling lamp is that rusted, you may want to inspect for other water damage and a roof leak. Is there any discoloration in the ceiling?

Oh ya.....do you have an electric water pump?

[sacjon]

If the ceiling lamp is that rusted, you may want to inspect for other water damage and a roof leak. Is there any discoloration in the ceiling?

Oh ya.....do you have an electric water pump?

There is no sign of any (significant) roof leak - we just had a major rainstorm and the ceiling and inside was dry as a bone.

The plumbing is pretty much gutted, but I intend to eventually get the sink up and running again. However, that is something I wont be doing for a while.

The outdoor light (amber) does not work either (even with a new bulb). Could it be that the wiring from the converter (black and white wires) is faulty? The running lights work when connected to the truck, but the 2 lights (indoor and outdoor) do not work.

Am I correct in assuming that the lights with the black and white wires are separate from the running and taillights (green and white wiring)?

Thanks!

[wavery]

There is no sign of any (significant) roof leak - we just had a major rainstorm and the ceiling and inside was dry as a bone.

The plumbing is pretty much gutted, but I intend to eventually get the sink up and running again. However, that is something I wont be doing for a while.

The outdoor light (amber) does not work either (even with a new bulb). Could it be that the wiring from the converter (black and white wires) is faulty? The running lights work when connected to the truck, but the 2 lights (indoor and outdoor) do not work.

Am I correct in assuming that the lights with the black and white wires are separate from the running and taillights (green and white wiring)?

Thanks!

You assume correctly.....The white wire is ground and the black is hot. I hope that you didn't reverse them. If you did, you may have blown the internal fuse in the converter. Bad ground is the most common electrical problem.

Try following the white wire down to the frame. Disconnect it, clean the terminal, sand the spot on the frame where the wires go. If the wires look corroded, cut off the corroded part and install a new wire connector. Put it all back together and see what you have.

[Tim5055]

Does anyone know of a good site or book that would explain just the basics? I don't even know how to test to see if it is working!

The best I have found is
Mark Nemeth 12v Side of Life.  Pay attention, there is a link to "Part 2" down at the bottom.  If you miss it you end up thinking he only talks about batteries.

[He Ruide]

I second Tim/s recomendation on the 12 volt side of life.  If you want a book I would recomend "RV Electrical Systems" by Bill and Jan Moeller.   Here is a site where  you can purchase it.