Sconce Light Fixtures

Here is a picture of how sconce lights illuminate the front of the trailer and bathe the area in soft light.  These lights incorporate both 120 volt AC bulbs and 12 volt DC bulbs for versatility. 

The sconce lights from my trailer were certainly old, discolored and needed refurbishing.

Structurally, they were a bit primitive but still very functional when tested.

The electrical parts simply needed to be replaced for safety.  The thin oil cloth-type diffusion material was stained and discolored from heat.

My stock pile reserves included some plastic ceiling panels.  They were of the proper thickness and could act as a diffuser replacement.  However, the material was stiff and needed to be cut and molded into the proper shape of the sconce.

My carpentry skills aided me in cutting the material into the proper size.  A wooden mold was fashioned to aid in the shaping of the new material for the fixture.

After a couple trial runs and using some external heat I was able to properly shape the plastic into a usable diffuser.

 Both sconce lights gained new diffusers and were now usable.

After being stripped of their electrical parts the fixtures and mounting screws received a couple coats of Rust-Oleum paint. 

The fixtures turned out very nice and were equipped with new light sockets with switches and  efficient LED bulbs.

My refurbished light fixtures work very well, look great and were very satisfying to complete.

Light Fixtures

My Ambassador (SeeMore) is equipped with two ceiling light fixtures.

Both are wired for 120 volt AC and 12 volt DC current.

The above picture shows the fixture with a beautiful glass globe in place.

However, these globes are not believed to be original.

Both fixtures were in need of repairs including new wiring and paint.

Both fixture bases are made of aluminum and needed to be stripped of their parts to fix the dents and bends.

The wiring, switches and sockets (1959) were stiff and brittle but still functional.  

New parts were definitely needed.

After the parts were stripped and dents removed the fixtures got some new paint.

Two separate Rust-Oleum paint colors were used to coat the bases.

New wiring, switches and bulb sockets were purchased from the big box stores and installed.

New wiring grommets were used to protect the wires from sharp edges. 

  After the fixtures were reinstalled in the ceiling they received new efficient LED light bulbs.  Both the 120 volt AC and the 12 volt DC bulbs are installed in their respectively wired sockets.

Caping off the fixtures with elegant globes was a long awaited finishing touch.

However, the globes appear to be too big and touch the switches on either side.

 I enjoyed the warm inside light after all of the hard work.

Unfortunately, one of the hard to find globes later shattered.

I am now searching for replacement globes.   

AC Electric Service

This Airstream is being equipped with 30 amp -120 volt AC service from shore power.

 This should  provide adequate power for this vintage trailer and it's planned usage. 

An air conditioner is not being installed but will be included in the planned layout. 

Marinco 30A 125V Stainless Steel Power Inlet

Marinco was my choice for an electric plug. It accepted a right angle shore line power cord.

This location is where the previous service was installed so there was already a hole in the side wall of the trailer.  An aluminum stiffening plate was installed behind the outer skin making the plug area much stronger.

The trailer was rewired with all new 12-2 with ground copper cable.  A total of four separate circuits were used to supply the planned light fixtures and outlet plugs.

Sourcing an electric service panel with at least four circuits was less than straight forward.

I found that a 100 amp panel with 6 circuits was nearly the same cost as a smaller panel with only 4 circuits with no possible room for future expansion.  

Here is the panel that was chosen for this project.

Square D by Schneider Electric HOM612L100SCP Homeline 100 Amp 6-Space 12-Circuit Indoor Surface Mount Main Lugs Load Center with Cover

The panel with plywood was mounted to the trailer ribs in a strategic position.

The panel looks massive but will not be visible inside the clothes closet near the rear of the trailer.

It will offer good service, accessibility and have room for future circuits.

Here is a picture of the panel with circuit breakers installed and the cover in place.

A bare copper ground wire was also installed from the panel grounding bar to the frame. 

A test was conducted to prove that all light fixtures and 120 volt plug receptacles were operative.

It was a very satisfying that all items passed the test.