Re: [VACList] Plumbing in 54 FC

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On 7/25/03 5:52 AM, "Patricia Raimondo" <praimond@optonline.net> wrote:
> My questions:
> 1.The fresh water inlet is in the center of the front under the window.
> I do not have a tank there now. Where would the tank go with the
> folding table there? It can't block the dinette benches as they have
> cubby compartments to the ends.

The tank would have gone side to side aft of the front wall on the floor.
With sofa versions it was behind the sofa, in Dinette versions it was boxed
in the same material as the booths was made from.  With a folding table and
chairs, you're on your own :>)

> 
> 2. Note where the hot water heater is in the photo. It sits under and
> behind the drawers. Now look at photo # 24. Note there is no vent door
> on the outside that would go to the HW heater. It is electric only and
> I want to put in propane continuous heater. Will I have to cut an
> outside door? I can't even see how I can remove the existing one w/o
> removing the sink plumbing.

Our '56 Flying Cloud has the same setup. The cabinets were built over the
hot water heater - you have to remove it to get to the HW heater.  We plan
to solve the propane HW heater issue by putting our Valiant/Paloma on demand
HW heater aft of the kitchen on the wall and vent it out the roof.  The vent
caps are still available that look vintage (used to vent household HW
heaters).  There is no way to install a side panel exhaust HW heater without
cutting a hole in the side, and short of having a sheetmetal shop fabricate
a decent looking cover, there are no covers that look right on a '50's
Airstream.

> 
> 3. Anyone know where I can order an innerspring mattress to size for
> the rear double bed?

http://www.bedmasters.com/Boat.htm

> 
> 4. There is no air conditioning or even 12 volt fans so how do I wire?
> Run down the walls with a cover?

You pretty much have to rewire a '50's trailer.  Start with a new CB panel
in a closet, from there you feed a converter to power the 12 volt system for
lights & fans.  110v goes to the outlets and the AC.  Run the AC power in
between the skin panels, entering behind the galley and exiting at the
center vent opening.  You can do the same if installing 12 volt or 18vac
fans.

Probably best to get a Penguin and the contoured pan that collects the
condensate. The drain tube runs down between the skin also.
http://www.airstream.org/FAQ/FAQ_12.html

Best of luck,
RJ
VintageAirstream.com
'65 Caravel
'56 Flying Cloud