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Post by 56shastamama on Apr 8, 2015 12:44:27 GMT -8
I bought my first vintage trailer last week and plan on remodeling it over the next year, its usable but needs love. I have figured most things out but I can not for the life of me figure out how to get the electrical to run on the battery. The lights work when its plugged into an extension cord but I bought a brand new battery and new connectors and it still will not work on the battery.
All I see is the cable that connects to the battery, that cord plugs into another cord and this is where I can separate it to plugin the trailer, when these two cords are connected the cord that is not attached to a batter runs to a single fuse under the seat of the table in the trailer. I have read and read and people keep talking about invertors and converters but I don't see anything else on this system, is something missing. I also can't find anything that would be a shutoff or turn on for it. If it was there, I would have found it by now I think.
Any insight would be appreciated
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RJ
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Post by RJ on Apr 8, 2015 14:05:30 GMT -8
Welcome to the forum 56shastamama! This may seem silly, but you know that AC (shore line) and the DC (battery) normally run different things, yes? Most of your interior lights and outlets will run on the AC and probably only one, perhaps two interior lights, run on the DC. If you don't see a converter, you probably don't have one. If you have some pics of what you're referring to, that would help.. Again, welcome  |
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Post by vikx on Apr 8, 2015 21:15:49 GMT -8
I agree with Rory. We need pictures in order to help. It's possible a PO tried to run things on the battery and messed up. Also possible you have only ONE 12 volt light. It's usually in the bunk ceiling area. These old Shastas had wires running from that light into the upper K cabinet and were run off a larger flashlight (or lantern) battery. These brown wires were in Sundance:  Welcome here! |
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Post by 56shastamama on Apr 9, 2015 9:21:33 GMT -8
Hmm, interesting, I only have two lights ( one above the sink and one above the table) There is a propane light as well but the light fixture is missing. They both work on shore power. I had just assumed they could also work off battery since there was a connection for the battery but maybe the previous owners converted it to only work on shore power. As far as I can tell then there must be nothing to run off battery. Now I am really bummed I just spent $100 on a battery but I am glad that I can now stop investigating this matter. Thanks for all your help
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Post by vikx on Apr 9, 2015 21:52:05 GMT -8
56, Early Shastas had two 110 lights. (sink/table) They did not work on 12 volt. I'm almost sure your trailer had the bunk light. Are there any marks on the ceiling? It would have been in this location:  You should be able to return the battery if it's not been used. Please update us from time to time on your little Shasta. |
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RinTin
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Post by RinTin on Apr 10, 2015 6:00:28 GMT -8
To my knowledge, other than the tow lights, most of these small 50's trailers were originally manufactured without any 6V or 12V system at all. That's how mine are. There was 110 AC for a couple receptacles and lights, plus propane for lighting and cooking. If you think about it, what else do you really need?
Remember, this was during the time when the automobile industry was still transitioning from 6V to 12V. As VK pointed out, sometimes a battery operated light was provided, but even that may have been a dealer option from the manufacturer and not a standard feature.
Most 12V systems were installed later which accounts for some of the poor workmanship we come across.
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Post by 56shastamama on Apr 10, 2015 6:36:52 GMT -8
I don't see anything that would have been a light above the bed area but the trailer I bought has had a lot of things changed, its going to take quite a bit to get it back in good shape. I am sure I will be asking a lot more questions over the next year. Next project is going to be to start replacing wood, panel by panel. Thank you for all your insight. I think I am going to just return the battery and call it case closed. During the renovation we will get the extra wiring removed and get the propane light fixed so we have lighting when shore power is not available, that's really all we need.
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