H
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
H - 1
12-VOLT SYSTEM
The major portion of electrical power in your Airstream is 12-volt. The 12-volt current
powers just about every thing except for the air conditioner and microwave oven. The
refrigerator’s electronic energy selection is also powered by 12 volt.
All 12-volt current comes through the battery system. The battery is installed in two
ways. It is located under the front passenger seat on standard units and or under a dark
plexiglass plate just inside the rear doors on the roadside. The battery is accessible
in the battery box by unbolting the passenger seat on standard units or by removing
the dark plexiglass plate on units with the rear lounge. Power from the battery goes
to a Type 2 thermal breaker and then to the 12-volt distribution panel located in the
converter and then to the rest of the motorhome. Open the brown decorative door on
the front of the converter on the front of the lounge base to access the panel and its
fuses. A 12-volt layout diagram is shown later in this section.
BATTERY DISCONNECT SWITCH
The disconnect switch is used to separate the battery from the 12-volt distribution
panel and converter charging system.
When the switch is turned “use” (on) and the motorhome is plugged into a 110-volt
shoreline, the 12-volt distribution panel will receive power from the converter and the
battery will be charged through the converter charging system.
When the switch is turned to “store” (off) and the motorhome is plugged into a 110-
volt shoreline, the 12-volt distribution panel will still receive power from the converter,
but the battery is disconnected from the system. The battery will not be drained with
the switch in the store position. The converter will not charge the battery with the
switch in this position.
NOTE: The electric gas shut-off solenoid closes automatically when 12-volt
power is disconnected. It will reopen when power is restored.
POWER CENTER (Converter, 12-Volt Distribution, 110 Volt Distribution)
MagneTec 7355
Manufacturer:
MagneTec
102 North Main Street
Goodland, Indiana 47948
Phone: (800) 443 4859
Fax: (219) 297 2305
The converter/charging system is the interior low voltage electrical system that enables
you to use the interior lights, fans, pumps and 12-volt appliances whether operating
on self-contained battery power or 120-volt city power. The 12-volt light bulbs give off
the same light as regular household bulbs, so that when operating on self-contained
battery power, everything works normally except the 110-volt convenience outlets and
110-volt appliances. The converter system is designed to maintain constant output
voltages regardless of the variances that occur in city power systems.