My wife and I just purchased a 13 foot 1990 scamp (layout 1 apparantley).
We have some questions:
1) The only light that will work plugged into 120v is the 12 inch flourescent over the sink correct? There is no battery pack, but all the lights worked when we tested it out from the seller ( I assume this is because his 7 way connector had a auxillary 12v line...and our 7 way connector does not at the moment?).
2) The seller didn't know if the trailer has electric brakes and I see no obvious wiring into the axle...but obviously there is a 7 way connector and the seller had an electric brake controller that he leaves on all the time he just doesn't know if the trailer has electric brakes. The weight of the trailer is only about 900-1100 pounds and I have towed WAY more than that with my 2001 ford ranger v6 4L without electric brakes no problem so I think it is unecessary and not really a big concern for me at this time. But I did want to find out.
3) Is there a 12v breaker box? I have a photo of the 120 box but have no idea how to access the 12 v.. is it inside the 120 box?
4) I want to wire some 12v outlets for charging devices once I get an AGM 100AH battery installed. What is the best way to do this? Tie them / piggy back off the easily accesible 12v lights on either side of the over sink cabinets?
5) The AC appears original and is still working pretty well. Anyone know alot about this white westinghouse AC unit? is it oriingal or a replacement? Does anyone know the BTU's? Do you think a 1000W or 2000W inverter generator would be enough to run it when off the grid?
6) The fridge unit appears REALLY old. None of the units online that have information seem similar. It appears the fridge is working but I have only had it plugged into 120v for about 2 hours. The freeze box plate become ice cold and frost accumulated on it (you can see my handprints). The metal plates in the fridge however don't seem to get nearly as cold after 2 hours. I didn't have time to leave it plugged in.
I couldn't tell the fridge was on either... I guess it doesn't run off a compressor? It makes absolutely no noise at all. I have not tried to run it on propane yet either and am curious to see if that system still works as it appears ancient as well.
Should the fridge plates get just as cold as the freezer box plate?
7) Thanks for answering these questions especially as this is our first post. We are looking forward to camping. We rented some small hunter cabins in the UP 3 weeks ago and are planning to hit up the lake michigan beach campground in grand haven this upcoming weekend for our first scamp outing. Any other suggestions for checking out the status of the camper to make sure everything is safe and sound? We towed it 2 hours home with no problems...
Charles & Martha (1990 Scamp 13)
Congrats on your new to you Scamp and welcome to the clubhouse.
I'll hit some answers for you, but too long a list for the time I have left tonight.
#1: That's correct the only light on 110 is the flourescent. Also Fridge on 110 mode, one 110 outlet, and that aftermarket modded window AC. Rest operate off 12 V battery which appears to be missing. Should have a battery box on the tongue.
#2: 13's don't need brakes, but some were ordered with them. Pull a wheel best way to check, because if you don't have the brakes but the Dexter axle was ordered with the brake flanges, then it's under $50 a wheel at eTrailer to order backing plates with brakes and wire them up. No brakes, and no flanges, then only an axle swap will get you brakes.
#3: No 12 v breaker box. Should be a 30A fuse on the positive battery cable near the battery box on the tongue and another 30a fuse in the front PS bench where the line comes into the trailer. I always add a junction with fuses for the main 12v items under the DS rear bench when I redo. Easy to add aux items off the junction below.
#5: A/C is an owner mod added later. Standard window A/C from hardware store. If it's working good and not a bad install then good to go.
#6: Takes quite a number of hours to fire up the fridge. Need to leave it on overnight and then check it. If you are already getting that type of cold in 2 hours fridge is probably still in decent operating shape. Will run best on propane if you've got that option. Won't hear the fridge operate, might hear the pilot light when lit on propane. Get a fridge thermometer and give it a good overnight run then check your temps.
Check bearings, tire condition/age, all trailer lights functionality before trip.
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
One other thing to check before your trip, check the date stamped into the handle of your Propane tank.
If the date is over 10 (in some cases 12) years old, then you will have to get the tank re-certified, or replaced before you can get it filled.
Read more about Propane tanks here...
http://www.scampcamper.com/forums/replace-your-propane-tanks
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!
I just wanted to add,that we had just asked a salesman how many amps this 8000btu A/C is that is coming in our on order 16ft and he said it pulls 13amps,our 2000i puts out 1600 amps so it should be fine if your amp pull is under 1600 I would think
Launey and Earlene
Launey and Earlene,
Your generator is rated in Watts, Not Amps.
Also, Salesmen usually have "Generalized Information" and may not have specific knowledge of your specific unit/model number.
The best information for calculating energy usage is from the unit's nameplate, or the owners manual.
Also, be aware that appliances like Air Conditioners (things with motors) draw a large amount of electricity each time they start up (extra power is used to get the motor/compressor going). If you don't have sufficient electrical power for your A/C the unit might still operate, however you will be shortening the unit's operating life. Most generators have a "Surge" or "Max" power rating to allow for motor startups.
Check your A/C unit's draw and your Generator's output carefully before trying to operate your A/C on the 2000 watt generator.
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!
I guess I should learn to proof read what I write,I certainlly did not mean to put 1600 amps,our generator puts out 16 amps not 1600 ,yes we know about finding the amps on differant items
Launey and Earlene
Our public library is now checking out Kill O Watt meters that measure your draw on appliances etc. This is exactly what you need to determine the draw for the A/C above as well as prepping for the correct solar setup.
I don't know if they are doing that in other parts of the country, but that is major cool. They aren't that expensive to buy one as well:
Kill O Watt Meter
Wanna find out what the wife's hair dryer is drawing?
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
Greg that is a great idea,might have to surprise Launey with one of those......
Launey and Earlene
Wow thanks for all the feedback everyone. There is a battery box on the tongue but it is empty. The 12V system worked hooked up to the sellers 7 way jack. I just need to get a AGM battery I think. I am going to check it out with an old car battery I have lying around tomorrow hopefully though just to test it out.
I do need to check the bearings still. The tires don't have cracks but are probably old. Still a good amount of tread on them all around and no wear down the middle compared to the outside so I don't think the trailer has been overloaded. I have been looking into what is involved in greasing bearings. Why is it so important to grease a trailer's bearings as apposed to your own vehicles? Is there a difference between them I take it. I've never heard of having my own vehicles wheel bearings checked before... but now all the RV/Trailer forums have recommendations to grease them every year...
No propane tank on the scamp ATM. I have a 15pound blue rhino. I know its overpriced propane... But we will use it for our first 1-2 trips I think. I am looking into purchasing a 30 pounder that I can refill at places like flying j ect though. I don't think propane use will be very high with no furnace... just double burner stove and the fridge (still have to test that fridge propane system though)
What do I ask for from my mechanic to install an line to the 7 way to provide 12v power If I needed emergency 12v from my tow vehicle or I wanted to charge the 12v system of the AGM battery while driving down the road for longer scamping camping? Just a 12v auxillary line to the 7 way? A 1990 scamp can charge an AGM deep cycle battery correct while driving? I have read multiple yes/no/maybe answers to this question. Is it dependant on certain hardware?
The only thing I am upset about is that my Ford Ranger is just to damn small for me, wife and baby, and so for now we will have to take 2 vehicles ranger with the scamp and wife and baby in the ford focus. My beloved ranger is going to have to go. The sad thing is we have a v6 buick century that I feel can adequately tow the scamp however it clearly states no trailer > 1000 pounds. Whats even sadder is I have a 1990 Volvo 240 4humper NON DIESEL that is beatup like all but still goes down the road If i registered it is registered to tow 3300 pounds. Very very sad days ahead for the range :(
Charles & Martha (1990 Scamp 13)
Why do the forums recommend you check and lube your wheel bearings annually? Because, overheated wheel bearings are probably the biggest reason for being stranded alongside the highway when towing a trailer. This probably has a lot to do with the fact that a trailer sits stationary most of the year and the grease may become contaminated and fail to lubricate your hubs at 65-70 MPH.
The second biggest reason for being stranded alongside the highway is tire blowouts! Usually caused by tires that are too old to be on the highway (but the tread still looked good), you should replace your tires every 5 years, regardless of how good they look.
Check out this thread to learn how to read the tire date codes...
http://www.scampcamper.com/forums/scamp-tires
I would recommend against adding the 30# propane tank on your little Scamp, if you decide you need more propane than the single 20# tank, you can easily add a 2nd 20# tank and have the advantage of having one tank supplying propane to your Scamp while you take the other tank off to get it filled. By-the-way, there are advantages to using the Blue Rhino tank exchange programs for your Scamp, like being able to get propane almost anywhere, as long as you don't mind the prices there is nothing wrong with using the exchange programs. Also, depending on your propane usage, you may not be able to save enough money to justify the purchase price of a new tank, just something to consider.
As far as adding a 7-way connector to your Ranger, there is a standardized pin layout for the 7-pin connectors. I would take the Ranger to a U-haul shop that installs hitches or an independent Hitch shop because they wire tow vehicles all day long and your mechanic may not have done one before and he will be learning on your truck.
You won't be the first guy that had to depart with his beloved vehicle because of a growing family (sorry about the Ranger) I would think a nice F-150 with a crew cab and Towing Package would accommodate your needs nicely.
As Always,
Happy Scamping !!!