Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: What is this mystery switch? (Read 838 times) previous topic - next topic

What is this mystery switch?

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

Royce & Denise, MC #17410
'01 U320 4220 ISM450 Build #5895 SOLD
Toad: '10 Honda CR-V

Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world. - Gustave Flaubert

Re: What is this mystery switch?

Reply #1 –
Should be a switch to turn off the bay light when you close the bay door
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: What is this mystery switch?

Reply #2 –
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.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: What is this mystery switch?

Reply #3 –
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??
Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota

Re: What is this mystery switch?

Reply #4 –
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
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: What is this mystery switch?

Reply #5 –
They do work, but I had no idea that they were controlled by the doors. Thanks for the education.
Royce & Denise, MC #17410
'01 U320 4220 ISM450 Build #5895 SOLD
Toad: '10 Honda CR-V

Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world. - Gustave Flaubert

Re: What is this mystery switch?

Reply #6 –
Does anyone have a source for these switches? I need to replace some of them.
Royce & Denise, MC #17410
'01 U320 4220 ISM450 Build #5895 SOLD
Toad: '10 Honda CR-V

Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world. - Gustave Flaubert

Re: What is this mystery switch?

Reply #7 –
Quote from: BamaFan –
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
The selected media item is not currently available.
Neal (& Brenda) Pillsbury
'02 U320 SPEC, 4200, DGFE, Build #5984
'04 Gold Wing
'07 Featherlite 24'
'14 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit
MC #14494
Exeter, NH & LaBelle FL
Quality makes the Heart Soar long after Price is Forgotten

Re: What is this mystery switch?

Reply #8 –
Neal,

I have tried magnetically operated switches recommended by folks here with very poor results, so I gave up on them.

Thanks, Royce
Royce & Denise, MC #17410
'01 U320 4220 ISM450 Build #5895 SOLD
Toad: '10 Honda CR-V

Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world. - Gustave Flaubert

Re: What is this mystery switch?

Reply #9 –
Royce,
Try calling Mike at Foretravel..... He most likely has them, shouldnt be too expensive.

Justin
Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota

Re: What is this mystery switch?

Reply #10 –
Or, connect the two wires together, and do it the old fashioned way, use the switch on the light.
Jim C.
coachfree, previous 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Foretravels.

Re: What is this mystery switch?

Reply #11 –
Quote from: BamaFan –
Neal,

I have tried magnetically operated switches recommended by folks here with very poor results, so I gave up on them.

Thanks, Royce
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
The selected media item is not currently available.
Neal (& Brenda) Pillsbury
'02 U320 SPEC, 4200, DGFE, Build #5984
'04 Gold Wing
'07 Featherlite 24'
'14 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit
MC #14494
Exeter, NH & LaBelle FL
Quality makes the Heart Soar long after Price is Forgotten
 

Re: What is this mystery switch?

Reply #12 –
I bought new switches at the auto parts store  They were hanging in the switch aisle.  No big deal, and cheap.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)