12v vs 110v power - what goes where in Scamp?

[TomN]

That's just a darned shame about the hackers nuking this forum. Hopefully Karma will go back their way.

Anyway, since I'm new to the Scamp world, I took my 13' (thanks, Christi!) out on the maiden voyage with my kidlet camping at the Oregon Coast a couple weeks ago, and as we were sitting inside, out of the rain, I said to myself, "Self, when the Scamp is plugged into external power, do ALL the lights and power run off the external, or are there some lights that still run off the battery?"

My 'Self' didn't have the answer as of yet, and I couldn't decipher it from the owner's manual.

It would sure be great if there was some sort of switching circuit that automagically switched from battery power input to external 110v to save the battery. Plus, it would sure be nice if all power (battery or 110v) went through the convertor.

Anyone know?
thanks in advance!
-Tom

[Larry B]

Thom
external power goes through the convertor your lights and stuff would work if the battery was removed. in fact while hooked up your battery is charged.
hope this helps

[TomN]

Thanks, Larry,

in fact while hooked up your battery is charged.

Does this mean 110v power 'charges' the battery at the same time it supplies juice for lights? That's how I read that.
thanks!
-Tom

[Byron Kinnaman]

When you're in your car, truck, or what ever you drive and driving down the road, does the radio, lights, etc. run off the battery or the alternator?
Basicly it's the same question except I believe there's a 120Volt floresent in the Scamp.

[Dan Meyer]

This seems like a good time to point out that I've posted the owners manual that came with my Scamp to my web site (url listed below). The owners manual explains the electrical system (and more) quite nicely. It is by no means a complete reference to our little trailers, it is worth the time it will take to fully read.

-- Dan Meyer

[TomN]

Thanks Gents, and that's an excellent site you have Dan.
-Tom

[Roger H]

Originally posted by Thom@Nov 22 2005, 06:57 PM
that's an excellent site you have Dan.
-Tom

I have to second that, Thom. I've got Dan's site bookmarked and use it regularly.

Thanks Dan!

Roger

[Gina D.]

I have florescents that are 12v. Not sure what your Scamp has, but you can get 12v landing lights (Florescents) from any rv parts store.

[TomN]

Hmmm... well that's basically what I was wondering: do some lights run at 110v and some at 12v? And I don't know for sure if I have a convertor or not (I believe it does). Unsure where even to look. I'll sniff around it tomorrow and see if I can find something that resembles it.

As far as what lights use what power, it is only hooked up to battery now, so I'll try turning on the flourescent above the stove, along with all the others to see if they come on or not. If they don't, I can assume those would be 110v.
-Tom

[Gina D.]

along with all the others to see if they come on or not. If they don't, I can assume those would be 110v

Unless they are indeed 110 and some clever former owner installed an INVERTOR for them.

something else to look for! Boy, we are complicating your day, huh?

Older CONVERTORS look like big raw exposed transformers, and the newer ones are encased in what looks like an oversized computer power supply, including the fans. Dans site should give you an idea where to look.

[Roger H]

As far as what lights use what power, it is only hooked up to battery now, so I'll try turning on the flourescent above the stove, along with all the others to see if they come on or not. If they don't, I can assume those would be 110v.
-Tom

Tom, the other way to tell is to look for what the flourescent plugs into. Most of them that are 110 just plug into a nearby 110 outlet. I don't think I've ever seen a 110 flourescent fixture that was hard-wired into the 110 trailer wiring.

Roger

[Chester Taje]

Every thing in my Boler is 12volt even the flourescent fixtures.The only 110volt is my wall plug ins.

[Benny K]

My 13' Boler has the 110V flourescent fixture hard wired with a toggle switch on the fixture....Benny

[Chester Taje]

My 13' Boler has the 110V flourescent fixture hard wired with a toggle switch on the fixture....Benny

Your right Benny-------I had forgot about my 13footer.

[Pete Dumbleton]

Ditto for the 120VAC flourescent fixture on my 91Scamp13' -- It is hardwired under the ratfur and I've never bothered to trace to exactly where (my best guess would be to the 120VAC duplex outlet near the breaker box on the outer wall under the sink) -- The two Bargman 12VDC fixtures on the overhead kitchen cabinet go to a fuse panel that used to be in my converter when I used to have a converter.

[Roger H]

Hard wired 110 flourescents, eh? Once again, I've learned something new!

Roger

[Patrick M.]

I don't think I've ever seen a 110 flourescent fixture that was hard-wired into the 110 trailer wiring.

Mine is hardwired. The big question is why do they mount it on the wall rather than neatly out of sight on the bottom of the cabinet?

[Larry B]

There are some light fixtures that have both 12volt light bulbs and 120 volt light bulbs.
but the ones I know about you have to be hooked to shore power for the 120 volt to work.
Larry B

[Pete Dumbleton]

Mine is hardwired. The big question is why do they mount it on the wall rather than neatly out of sight on the bottom of the cabinet?

That's an excellent question, Patrick! That way there would have been two less holes in the exterior wall of the egg and the light would be less likely to shine directly into the eyes of a shorter person.

[Larry B]

Christineb
sometimes I run mine on 12volts. the tow should charge the battery while driving.
I found that if I stopped along the way the battery would discharge if I didn't turn the fridg off.
and it takes a long time to recharge.