I have a switch like this in every storage bay except the propane bay and battery bay. They are activated by a rubber bumper on the door. Can anyone give me a clue as to what it does?
Thanks,
Royce
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Should be a switch to turn off the bay light when you close the bay door
If your bay lights don't come on, try moving the switch on each light. Sometimes a simple bump or rotate of the button will make the switch work.
Each bay with one of those switches should have a bay light. A couple of mine didn't work at first but after bumping and turning it a little they now work just fine. Just lack of use?
Didn't mention if your bay lights work??
It's a normally open when compressed spring loaded switch. Try shorting across the terminals and see what happens. It should be for the basement lights. While it's shorted turn the switch on the light on and off. It should only be permanently on in one position and activated by the switch in question in the other.
Keith
They do work, but I had no idea that they were controlled by the doors. Thanks for the education.
Does anyone have a source for these switches? I need to replace some of them.
Royce,
These "button" operated switches are unreliable in that they rely upon
contacts closing, to light the bay lights. These button operated contact switches are ever so slightly exposed to the elements and the contacts therefore become "glazed over" with oxidation/corrosion products. Because they are not "self wiping" contacts, they become unreliable. To lower your maintenance and reliability headaches, it is much better to install sealed, magnetically operated switches in their place, if you are going to all of the trouble of replacing them.
Any high quality magnetic switch will be more reliable and trouble free. El cheapo's, not so much. NO and NC refer to "Shelf Condition", Normally Open and Normally Closed Switches. You want Normally open (NO) magnetic switches -- that means, in the "shelf condition", with the magnet in place, you want the contacts to be OPEN, which equals light OFF. When the magnet is removed, the contacts will close and the bay light comes ON.
Neal
Neal,
I have tried magnetically operated switches recommended by folks here with very poor results, so I gave up on them.
Thanks, Royce
Royce,
Try calling Mike at Foretravel..... He most likely has them, shouldnt be too expensive.
Justin
Or, connect the two wires together, and do it the old fashioned way, use the switch on the light.
Royce,
Magnetic switch quality (usually consisting of the strength and the permanence quality of the magnet) is critical. Cheap magnetic switches are seductive but will be very frustrating.
Also NO vs. NC switch contacts can be frustrating because neither
customers nor
distributors seem to be able to follow the
manufacturer and the industry engineering standard nomenclature (normal state of the switch [open or closed] with the magnet in place, uninstalled, on the shelf).
Finally, magnetic switches are polarity and proximity sensitive, so the installation must be done correctly. Once you get safely through that gauntlet of challenges, a magnetic switch is generally impervious to the environment and will remain trouble free for the life of the coach, unlike any "open frame" pushbutton switches similar to those currently installed.
Neal
I bought new switches at the auto parts store They were hanging in the switch aisle. No big deal, and cheap.