"Blast from the Past" 79' RV restore

btw...progress on RV is at a HALT...installed all the light fixtures and outlets and everything plugged back in and NOTHING.:kaioken::kaioken::kaioken:
The worst thing that could've happened did...me screw up something electrical (I guess I did). All worked before the teardown, now nothing. The outlets I quickly found breakers were down from where I was moving it around must have hit them down but all the interior lights no power, fuses good under dash, fuse in breaker box for "lights" good so after hour and a half of piddling with it, I quit (too much stress).
From what I've read/been told: interior lights are 12v DC (run on car batteries) until plugged into power then runs from the inverter thing. BUT it's all wired like house current/wires which I don't know for the life of me and there are black/white mostly to the lights...2-3lights have white & green wires....some have yellow & black & green & white???????????????????????WTH WTH WTH
I plugged up all the wires back to their "color coded" selves except the ones I know/thought aren't being used anymore and now no power to nothing.
The only for sure wires I know are the white wires are ground cause i followed 2 back to the ground strap bolted to frame behind power box. 1 black wire coming from power box labeled "lights" and 1 Big Green wire on seperate breaker labeled "oven fan & lights). I left that capped off since I didn't use a oven fan but that thick green wire is spliced in with couple of the ceiling lights around that area to the black wire...I'm so lost.
I'M sorry if this confuses the heck out everyone but it's the best way to describe what is wired there. PLEASE bare with me if you attempt to explain this home wiring stuff as I have always had a hard time understanding so many colored wires no matter how much I've been taught. Thank you, any help would be great!
 
Sounds like you probably have circuits that are now incomplete due to eliminating accessories. Most of these things are wired in a similar fashion so go find a RV site and start asking around for some basic schematics.

Word of advise:

Don't go on some site and pull a Fuller. Listen and take advise/criticism.
 
GotWood said:
Sounds like you probably have circuits that are now incomplete due to eliminating accessories. Most of these things are wired in a similar fashion so go find a RV site and start asking around for some basic schematics.

Word of advise:

Don't go on some site and pull a Fuller. Listen and take advise/criticism.
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hey hey hey now,lol, I wouldn't dare do that as I'm as dumb as a brick when it comes to this.
You mention something interesting that I thought of already: How would I fix the issue of "circuits being incomplete"??? that sounds like probably what is going on so what's the easy/proper way to fix this..thank you sir
 
marty79 said:
hey hey hey now,lol, I wouldn't dare do that as I'm as dumb as a brick when it comes to this.
You mention something interesting that I thought of already: How would I fix the issue of "circuits being incomplete"??? that sounds like probably what is going on so what's the easy/proper way to fix this..thank you sir
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Complete the circuits:shaking:.








You need to understand how the system is wired. There are house circuits and chassis circuits and some of them may be interconnected, idk. Once you know that you can start tracing them back and figure it out. Don't play trial and error. If you burn up that kicking stereo system or the whole camper that will just bring on the suck.
 
-Do you own a multi meter? If not buy one and learn to use it
- learn/ figure out exactly what runs on 12v and 110v.
-in most campers they have some 110v lights and some 12v. Look at the bulb!
-it's a converter not inverter
-the range fan/light operates off 110v generally. Never seen a 12v stoe fan in a camper. I hope you didn't tie that green wire into the 12v system
-I'd like to see a pic of the breaker panel. In more modern campers the breaker panel also has blade fuses for the 12v stuff.
-make sure the converter is doing its job, make sure battery disconnects are connected, switches are on,
-start at the breaker panel 12v light circuit. Check to see if you have power coming out there. If you do check the first light/switch in the circuit for power and then the second and third.
-even with the age the cabin lighting fuses will be in a easy to access panel somewhere.
 
lockedup5 said:
-Do you own a multi meter? If not buy one and learn to use it
- learn/ figure out exactly what runs on 12v and 110v.
-in most campers they have some 110v lights and some 12v. Look at the bulb!
-it's a converter not inverter
-the range fan/light operates off 110v generally. Never seen a 12v stoe fan in a camper. I hope you didn't tie that green wire into the 12v system
-I'd like to see a pic of the breaker panel. In more modern campers the breaker panel also has blade fuses for the 12v stuff.
-make sure the converter is doing its job, make sure battery disconnects are connected, switches are on,
-start at the breaker panel 12v light circuit. Check to see if you have power coming out there. If you do check the first light/switch in the circuit for power and then the second and third.
-even with the age the cabin lighting fuses will be in a easy to access panel somewhere.
Click to expand...
thank you. I started using it before I quit yesterday but was already too flustered I guess to make any progress lol. The light bulbs are car bulbs and is on a 15amp older long buss fuses...the oven light wire is on same type fuse 15amp 1"long buss fuses. I will start from scratch this morning since I'm rested well and start off with volt meter and tracing wires. thank you
 
lockedup5 said:
-Do you own a multi meter? If not buy one and learn to use it
- learn/ figure out exactly what runs on 12v and 110v.
-in most campers they have some 110v lights and some 12v. Look at the bulb!
-it's a converter not inverter
-the range fan/light operates off 110v generally. Never seen a 12v stoe fan in a camper. I hope you didn't tie that green wire into the 12v system
-I'd like to see a pic of the breaker panel. In more modern campers the breaker panel also has blade fuses for the 12v stuff.
-make sure the converter is doing its job, make sure battery disconnects are connected, switches are on,
-start at the breaker panel 12v light circuit. Check to see if you have power coming out there. If you do check the first light/switch in the circuit for power and then the second and third.
-even with the age the cabin lighting fuses will be in a easy to access panel somewhere.
Click to expand...

I have a 12 volt stove fan in my RV :)

And all my lights are 12 volt.
 
hey guys thanks for the advise. Good friend came up today and after 3hrs or so, we figured it out. There was a point in the wiring where halfway through the jumble of mess the pos and neg were switched from factory (for whatever reason??) and once we figured that out, it was piece of cake from there. Between voltmeter and test light and probing lots of wires one at a time starting from scratch, we got it and all lights work now, all outlets work, the factory gauges for the tanks/pump/propane work so all is good.

1 thing left that doesn't work: the Converter doesn't charge when plugged in. There is a "charging light" that should be on when charging, blinking when almost done charging but does not go on. Anyone have any idea where to start fishing for this issue? It's supposed to charge at 6-8amps when plugged in to 110v AC from what I've read. Any ideas, thank you.

Thank You @madJeepJ10 for your help with all this wiring today bud!!!
 
lockedup5 said:
Glad you got it figured out. If you find out your converter is bad I have one I'd sell. It has the fuse/breaker panel built in too if you wanted to modernize it some.
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any idea how to test it if its bad? the breakers work, the fuses all work and the little charging light flickers when you first turn it on/plug it in but just doesn't stay on or blink...
How much for yours just to know for future reference, thanks.
 
If the breakers and fuses are good and its not putting out its probably bad. Never really worked on one. I think most people just replace them.
As far as the price on mine I need to look it up and see what it's worth and can go from there.
 
got a little more progress done over the last couple days...finished the Kitchen area counter and face of it, trimmed out most of the tops, installed all the light fixtures and working, covered/finished up the "bench bed" and built all the boxes to hide the plumbing and outlet wiring where needed.
Whew,..getting close to being finished though...for me finished means "livable" I don't think I'll ever be finished with it but it's very close to ready to use. I'm pretty happy with it..the wife loves it, daughter is exited so everything is going great!
RV Phase 3 Kithen counter done.jpg
RV Phase 3 Bench Bed done.jpg
 
gotta admit it's pretty cool how "open concept" the inside is when you're sitting in there. That was my plan from the get-go to have it open with comfortable seating and not feel caved in and it's exactly that. For those rainy/wet/snowy days and nights, there will be plenty of seating and hang out space for companions that are with us so that is also very nice to have.
 
That's looking pretty darn usable, especially considering what you were starting with.

Two thoughts...hopefully those speakers and stuff are secured, so if you have a panic stop, they don't take somebody out. And...how about adequately mounted seatbelts for your passenger(s) on the sofa or where-ever??
 
kaiser715 said:
That's looking pretty darn usable, especially considering what you were starting with.

Two thoughts...hopefully those speakers and stuff are secured, so if you have a panic stop, they don't take somebody out. And...how about adequately mounted seatbelts for your passenger(s) on the sofa or where-ever??
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LOL yes the speakers are screwed in from the bottom with long screws that go through the 2x4 into the speaker cabinets so they ain't going nowhere...I thought/laughed about that when i first put them up there!!
Seatbelts will get installed after the mattress/bench pad gets put down so i know where to space them apart properly.
Speaking of Seat Belts: If anyone has any vehicles that have sets I could use some extras. Right now I have the 2 Captain chairs of course and the 3 that came with the original couch and those are getting installed on the front couch I think so I'd love to have 2-5more sets so every seat has them just for options of seating while driving, thank you.
 
lockedup5 said:
If the breakers and fuses are good and its not putting out its probably bad. Never really worked on one. I think most people just replace them.
As far as the price on mine I need to look it up and see what it's worth and can go from there.
Click to expand...
oh the charging apparently is working and the light doesn't stay on?? or something weird cause the switch panel that tells you the condition of batteries/propane/tanks/pump after 3 days now reads fair/good but when first plugged it back in 4/5days ago, it read poor so either the batteries are magically charging LOL or it's working and just the light isn't staying on...weird. I hear that thing buzzing if that makes any difference!! Good enough for me for now!!
 
So, I'm curious about weight.
Not just this build, but many I see on RVs.
The construction you're putting in is styled a lot after typical building construction - big and stout. Which is great for strength and rigidity.
But there is also a reason they use lighter (crappier) materials in these things.

I just wonder what the end weight of this pig will be, compared to original? It all adds up.
 
RatLabGuy said:
So, I'm curious about weight.
Not just this build, but many I see on RVs.
The construction you're putting in is styled a lot after typical building construction - big and stout. Which is great for strength and rigidity.
But there is also a reason they use lighter (crappier) materials in these things.

I just wonder what the end weight of this pig will be, compared to original? It all adds up.
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good point and I took all that into consideration with this a lot. By the time it's all done and said, I'm thinking this will weigh at least several good hundred pounds less if not over 500lb less, why?
Fridge, Oven/stove, Water Heater, Shower, Bathroom Vanity/sink, Propane Tank = ALL that alone took A LOT of weight off. Then there are all those shelves that it built hanging down pretty much everywhere and those shelves weren't that light when cut out in whole sections.
Then the walls/ceiling was 1/4" paneling and I put back 1/8" hardboard stuff (not fond of but it works) so that's little lighter there. The kitchen counter originally was 1"thick compressed board and pretty heavy so my counter is just 7/16" plywood with that hardboard on top pretty light for 8ftx26" counter.
At the end of the day, i tried my best to keep it light and I know it for sure won't weigh more...it's not possible with hardly anything being put back in there lol. If you study the pictures before there was no head room and shelves/cabinets/storage EVERYWHERE all made from 3/4mdf stuff so lots of weight in stock form.
It's gonna get some mechanical upgrades too to help with power/mileage/pulling/reliability and such.
 
Several have also told me to keep that fresh water tank "empty" and fill up at/close to destination LOL...that tank FULL adds a lot of weight so that's a factor, keeping both waste tanks empty is another big factor and not filing up both gas tanks if not needed..THEY'RE HUGE LOL
 
marty79 said:
Several have also told me to keep that fresh water tank "empty" and fill up at/close to destination LOL...that tank FULL adds a lot of weight so that's a factor, keeping both waste tanks empty is another big factor and not filing up both gas tanks if not needed..THEY'RE HUGE LOL
Click to expand...

Just make sure you know that you have clean water where you are going before you show up with empty tanks.
 
BRUISER said:
Just make sure you know that you have clean water where you are going before you show up with empty tanks.
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yeah that's my dumb luck to forget LOL...(be nockin on someone's door asking to borrow a water hose LMBO)
 
How dead were your batteries when you plugged it back up? I'd say that converter is more like a trickle charger and won't charge a dead battery very well.
Just guessing but all I can come up with.
 
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