Re: [A/S] Question about a 1968 20' Globetrotter

[D Welch <jtdjtd@xxxxxxxx>]

Hi Steve, I will try to answer the other questions you have:

>Electrical:
>
>All of the plugs but the one in the bathroom work, however I can not 
>get any of the lamps to work.  Is there a master switch? 
>
Some owners put in a dead man cut off switch but if your plugs work, 
that's not the problem.  You should locate the 12 V fuses, which will 
probably look like the old glass automotive fuses, and somewhere there 
is probably a 110V fuse or breaker. I speaking in generalities because I 
have a '73 and yours may be different. ( if I say something wrong, 
someone will, I hope, corrrect me ).  the lamps may need new bulbs which 
you can get at an auto store. You also might see that the socket isn't 
corroded.  Dissconnect the power Clean them with a scraper ( mall flat 
screwdriver ) and a green scrubber.  While you have the light coveropen, 
make sure that the connections look good.  put in your new bulbs and 
turn on the power. You should have a digital meter and learn how to use 
it for the next part, checking to see where you have power.

> This unit 
>has an "Airstream Central Console" to the left of the galley.  A 
>single red light shows "Power On", but nothing else on the console 
>appears to work.  
>
Behind it should be a lot of little bulbs to replace. The Black water 
gauge never works, forget it. and  I dunno what else you have on it, but 
except for the water pump switch that lives on mine, I don't need any of it.

>The refrig does not appear to work, unless I am 
>missing a master switch.  
>
ohoho, bad. A new one is $800 +++.  Open up the door behind it. There 
should be a gas cut off valve and maybe a 110 plug ( often where you 
cant' see without a mirror )   Check plug with a lamp.See if it will 
work on 110 first, plug in trailer, plug in fridge and set to highest 
cool setting. It will take 24 hours to get cold, and you should keep a 
thermometer in there anyway.  If it gets cold on electric, then you can 
see if the gas part needs cleaning or adjustment. ( which , along with 
all the gas stuff, I leave to any RV or gas professional )  There are a 
few places that can rebuild it for bucks.  If you are always going to be 
in a campground, any big box store will have dorm fridges that will do 
in a pinch.

>There are two switch on the wall/ceiling 
>to the left of the door.  I have no ideal what they do.
>  
>
Ceiling light and outside light probably

>Plumbing:
>
>I don't have a clue if it works or not.  I have not had time to look 
>where it even hooks up.  Where is the water line hookup?  Anything I 
>should do before I hook up an outside water line to test the system?
>  
>
On either the front or the back of the trailer will be  aplace to screw 
on a garden hose, you want to get a white food grade one from Wally 
world.  hook it up and turn on the water  a tiny bit. Now go look for 
leaks under all the cupborads and under all the sinks and on the ground. 
This is a no fun part too, if your pipes have been frozen, most people 
feel it's best to replace all of it with Pex, a plastic plumbing system. 
Once the copper bursts it gets too fat for standard couplers.  You 
probably have a pressure regulator, looks like a bell, hiding somewhere 
inconvenient. It may have sand and stones iin it and also the faucets 
are likely plugged  and need their little screens cleaned. You also need 
to see if the drains work, using water at first. looking for drips.

>LP:
>
>The same as the plumbing.  Not sure if it works, not sure if the 
>tanks have gas or not.  Do you have any advice on how to test this 
>without doing any damage?  How do I check for leaks?
>  
>
You should replace the regulator on the tanks out front as a general 
fixit, and I would have all the gas things checked by a pro. Gas goes 
boom. You don't need an Airstream tech. Gas guy will have a meter to 
find leaks, and will know how to adjust the flame on things..

>If you can pdf the owners manual, that would be great.  I know this 
>is a lot of questions. Thanks again for all of the help.
>  
>
I can't remember where the manuals come from, not sure if '68 has one...

>Overall the inside seems ok.  The cabinets and drawers seem fine. 
>The appliances are all there, just not sure if they work. There is a 
>Coleman AC/Heating unit on roof, it blows, but I am sure the ac 
>probably does not works.  
>
My '73 Armstrong still works, you need to go up and get the debris out 
of it.

>It is interesting the only documentation I 
>really have is for the AC unit, it appears to be a 1971 unit.  Could 
>this have been a add on?  It appears like it was installed and not 
>customized.
>  
>
Very likely.

>I know these are a lot of questions and I have a lot of work ahead 
>of me.  Thanks for any advice you can give me.  Feel free to contact 
>me off list at stevenclaysmith@yahoo.com
>  
>
No, no it's supposed to be ON the list so everyone can learn !!!!

Daisy