Table of Contents

Airstream Travel Trailer Bambi 2023 Power Center User Manual

Power Center

The power center is installed under the bed or below the refrigerator, depending on the model. Open the decorative door for access to 12-volt fuses and 120- volt breakers. The power center’s converter transforms 120-volt AC into 12-volt DC. The converter/charging system is the interior low voltage electrical system that enables you to use the interior lights, fans, pumps, and 12-volt appliances, whether operating on self-contained battery power or 120-volt city power. The 12-volt light bulbs give off the same light as regular household bulbs so when operating on self-contained battery power, everything works normally except the 120-volt convenience outlets and 120-volt appliances. The converter system is designed to maintain constant output voltages regardless of the variances that occur in city power systems. The converter is energized only when the trailer is hooked up to external AC power.

To test the converter, observe the following:

Confirm 120-volt power is going into the converter.
Disconnect the 12+ wire from the master switch.
Using a voltmeter, check voltage output between heavy gauge positive and negative wires coming out of the converter.
The voltage should be between 13.6 and 14.0 volts. (The meter of the tester should be calibrated periodically.)
If the converter is not within these voltages, have it serviced by a qualified technician or replace it.

One of these wires is not spliced onto a wire of the same color. It is the backup wire that is yellow in the cable and black in the harness.
A label on the inside of the converter door lists the circuits and what each fuse powers.

12-Volt Power Circuits

The current in the converter system is 12 volts direct current (12 VDC) negative grounded. Power sources that supply 12 VDC current to the system are as follows:

Main charge line from the tow vehicle
Trailer batteries
Converter

The power sources listed above are all electrically connected to the 12-volt distribution fuse panel that distributes current to interior branch circuits. The circuits provide power to operate all 12-volt DC lights, pumps, motors, and appliances. A power converter is a solid-state electronic power supply and is maintenance-free. It is so self-sufficient and quiet that you will probably not know it is working except for the fact that your batteries are always charged, and your 12-volt lights and appliances always work.

If any 12-volt appliance fails to operate, first check your 12-volt distribution fuse block, located behind the decorative front door in the front right-hand corner of the converter, and inspect all fuses. If a fuse is opened or blown, replace it with the same size fuse (never install a larger fuse). If the fuse opens again, have an electrician or certified RV technician locate the circuit trouble. Replace blown fuses only with the same type and amperage size previously used.
If the power converter is not working, first confirm the RV supply or shoreline cord is plugged into a live circuit. Then check all the 120-volt breakers in your RV distribution panel to make sure they are on. If the breaker is tripped, follow the instructions to reset the breakers. If the breaker trips again, consult an electrician or certified RV technician.

Converter Operation

The electronic power converter is designed to supply the nominal 12-volt-filtered DC power for all 12-volt-operated devices encountered in RV service. Although the converter is an excellent battery charger, the converter does not require a battery to be connected to it for proper operation.

NOTE
When installing a battery (s), always observe polarity. Connecting a battery in reverse polarity will blow the power converter main fuses located on the 12-volt DC distribution fuse block.

120-Volt AC Panel Board

The AC panel board section contains the 120 VAC branch circuit breakers for your RV. One of the breakers controls the 120-volt power to the 12-volt converter section. This breaker may also control another branch circuit. Check the label next to each breaker for what each branch circuit breaker controls.
The 120-volt circuits may be turned on by setting their breaker to handle up, to the ON position, or off by setting the handle down, to the OFF position. To reset the tripped breaker, move the handle to OFF and then ON.
The system incorporates GFCI breakers that implement an auto self-test functionality. When turned off, these breakers require external AC power to be present, or the AC inverter enabled before they can be turned back on. If AC power is present from one of these two sources, and the breaker refuses to stay on consult an electrician or certified RV technician.

Fuses and Breakers

Breakers
The distribution panel was designed to use a 30 AMP 120Volt main breaker with branch circuits. Double breakers may be used for the branch circuits. Should a breaker become faulty replace it with the same type of breaker only. Use only approved circuit breakers and 12V fuses.

NOTE
When replacing circuit breakers replace them with the same type and rating as the original.

12 VDC Fuses
Each 12 VDC circuit in the distribution panel was designed for a maximum of a 20 amp automotive-style fuse. Should one need to be replaced, be sure to replace it with the same type and Amp rating as originally supplied by Airstream. Replacing it with either a higher or lower Amp fuse could result in the panel not functioning properly.

REVERSE Polarity Fuses

The power converter is equipped with reverse polarity fuses, Should these fuses “blow” either during the manufacturing process or while connecting the battery, replace them with the same type and rating fuse as originally provided with the equipment.
The power converter is not weather resistant nor designed for installation in wet locations. The power converter must be protected from direct contact with water.

Automatic Micro-Controller Operation

The power converter 3-stage switch mode is fully automatic. The converter senses which mode it needs to be in by checking the condition of the battery.

The three modes include:
Absorption Mode: During this mode the converter output is in the 13.6 VDC range. This is the mode that the converter that will function at normally. This mode provides the 12 VDC and the current required by the trailer.
Bulk Mode: In this mode, the output voltage of the converter will switch to the 14.4 VDC range for a maximum of four hours. If the converter cycles between
“Absorption and Bulk modes”, there could be a shorted battery cell or other issues.
Float Mode: If the trailer has not been used for a period of time and the shore power has been left plugged in, the converter will automatically go into float mode with a voltage of 13.2. When the converter senses a demand, by turning on lights, the converter automatically returns to absorption mode.

Reference Links

View Full User Guide: Airstream Travel Trailer Bambi 2023 User Manual

Download Manuals: https://www.airstream.com/owners/manuals/

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