Couple of Questions on my 29' American Star

[Rick_K]

Hello!
I just inherited my dad's travel trailer, 1990 model 29SBDASTT. My parents used it to death, but now it's sat for awhile, and now needs some attention. I have every single piece of paper and manual for everything on board, except the owner's manual. I'm having difficulty with a few things, so I'm looking for an owner's manual.

Does anyone know where I can get one? Called Newmar, they don't go back that far, and referred me to trailer life's website. Nothing there either.

The converter/charger makes an intermittent humming noise, and a fuse on the DC side keeps blowing. Without a wiring diagram, I don't even know what fuse it what. We did replace the AC cord, and that got rid of the humming noise (no clue how the two are inter-related) but the fuse still blows.

Secondly, there's two gray colored "faucet"-type valves under the unit. Am I correct to assume that these drain the entire water system?

Other than that, this is a GREAT unit, built like a tank, needs nothing else, and is ready to go!!!

Thanks
Rick

[Rick_K]

Hello!
I just inherited my dad's travel trailer, 1990 model 29SBDASTT. My parents used it to death, but now it's sat for awhile, and now needs some attention. I have every single piece of paper and manual for everything on board, except the owner's manual. I'm having difficulty with a few things, so I'm looking for an owner's manual.

Does anyone know where I can get one? Called Newmar, they don't go back that far, and referred me to trailer life's website. Nothing there either.

The converter/charger makes an intermittent humming noise, and a fuse on the DC side keeps blowing. Without a wiring diagram, I don't even know what fuse it what. We did replace the AC cord, and that got rid of the humming noise (no clue how the two are inter-related) but the fuse still blows.

Secondly, there's two gray colored "faucet"-type valves under the unit. Am I correct to assume that these drain the entire water system?

Other than that, this is a GREAT unit, built like a tank, needs nothing else, and is ready to go!!!

Thanks
Rick

[Lug_Nut]

Hi Rick, Welcome to the forum. Many of Newmar, and for that matter any other manufacturers, did not really have a specific model manual. Instead they supplied a gathering of mini manuals for each component. This is also a common practice with industrial manufacturers of all type of products.
The American Star was a well built unit, however, even today on any given model, a wiring schematic is not readily available.
A humming sound from the converter was, and is, very common. As far as the fuse blowing on the DC output side, it would be an indication of excess amperage load. This can be caused by a short, poor contact or low voltage output. I would first suggest that you get an output voltage first, prior to the fuse popping. If it is within spec's, shut off a circuit at a time to find where the problem area is.
Anyway, that's a nice rig to have. Good luck and enjoy.

Peter

[DonnaB]

Another suggestion if it is in your realm of possibilities. Take it to Newmar. We met a couple the last time we were in Nappanee at the factory. They had purchased a motor home that was a number of years old.

They used it a while, but then made an appt at the factory for them to check it out for what needed to be done. They spent a couple of weeks there, but they ended up having a lot more upgrades than what "needed" to be done.

Obviously you will pay for that service, but it will be by the people that built it and they are very good at what they do. You can decide how much you want them to do and how much you tackle on your own later. If you call customer service, they can set up an appt accpetable to you.

Just a suggestion. Good luck with your American Star.

[Rick_K]

Hi,
Thanks for the replies! I think I have the issue licked... The AC Cord was a disaster. We had used the AC for about two weeks, then all of a sudden it started acting up intermittently. We replaced the cord last nite, and the lights were brighter, the converter stopped humming (at least it hasn't done it yet).

As far as the blown fuse, that could've been from the Air Conditioner. The motor was seized up and when we turned it on, it could've blown the fuse. I reached up there and forced the blower wheel lose, and it works fine now. Only thing was, I changed the blown fuse BEFORE I forced the Air Cond., so I don't know if that was the fuse or not.

Everything seems to be working fine and my brother took it camping this morning.

We have an appointment next week at the dealership where my dad bought it. They were close friends, so he told us he'd check it all out and go thru it for us.

Thanks again!
Rick