[A/S] Help! Newbie needs info on 1975/76 airstream ASAP

["Harvey Barlow" <harveybarlow@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I can't offer any information about value or cost to repair but I can answer
a couple of simple questions.

HVAC----- The H part of HVAC would include a propane fueled furnace which
requires 12 volt dc power to operate the thermostat and blower.  The trailer
might also have a catalytic heater which would be propane only and, I think,
would require no electric power.  The AC part of HVAC would mean a roof
mounted refrigerated air conditioner which requires 115 volt ac power to
operate.

A/S trailers normally do not have generators although some have apparently
been custom built by the factory to include a generator.  A separate
portable generator could always be carried and the trailer plugged into the
generator for external power.

The normal A/S electrical system uses 12 volt dc power to operate the water
pump, furnace blower, and lighting.  The system is powered by a 12 volt
battery or batteries which is/are recharged either by the tow vehicle
charging system or by plugging the trailer into shore power (115 volt ac).
The trailer contains a converter called a Univolt which is operated by 115
volt ac power in and produces 12 volt dc power out.

Some A/S owners use roof-mounted solar panels which will provide sufficient
power to recharge the battery or batteries for long periods of time so that
the water pump, furnace blower, and interior lighting will operate.

Without either solar panels or an outside source the trailer would have to
rely solely on it's battery or batteries which have limited duration.

I hope this helps some.
Harvey