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Topic: Switch at the base of the bed  (Read 806 times) previous topic - next topic

Switch at the base of the bed

Hello All,

We're new owners of a 1989 Foretravel Grand Villa 36' and love her very much. However, we're just trying to figure out some of the systems within our rig.
At the base of the bed bottom left corner as your viewing the bed, there's a lighted "red" switch". Looked in our owners manual but have had no luck figuring out what it does.

Can you please help?

Re: Switch at the base of the bed

Reply #1 –
Block heater or 110 switch for the water heater, although I don't think the 89 came with 110. If there are 2 switches, then it's one each.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Switch at the base of the bed

Reply #2 –
That switch is either the Block heater on the engine or the electric element in the water heater if you have a two way water heater.
What engine ?
Do you have a gas/electric water heater ?
Gary B

Re: Switch at the base of the bed

Reply #3 –
turns on block heater when plugged into 110 - check under bed and you should see the outlet box the heater is plugged into - switch puts power to that outlet, and is lighted to remind you that it is "on"
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Switch at the base of the bed

Reply #4 –
There are usually one or two switches there. One is for the electric function of the water heater and the other is for the engine block heater. The block heater switch just energizes a 120v outlet which you can see when you lift the bed. The block heater cord plugs into that outlet. The illuminated switch indicates that the outlet is hot but does not indicate that the block heater is operational.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Switch at the base of the bed

Reply #5 –
On our '89 GV the outlet box for the block heater was in the engine compartment, accessible thru the driver's side grill door. The switch was on the end of the bed towards the pass side, with a red light internally when the switch is on.
Please pull the block heater plug out of the outlet, check the condition, and then proceed to clean the blades on the plug. Ours, it turned out, were so corroded that the plug and outlet melted together!! Narrowly averted a major fire!!
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Switch at the base of the bed

Reply #6 –
Thank you very much for all your help with  this... it does make sense ...the dealer we purchased her from did not know muchin regard to this ^.^d

Re: Switch at the base of the bed

Reply #7 –
Quote from: OurPad115 –
...the dealer we purchased her from did not know much...

Sadly, this is often the case.  Foretravel coaches are "rare" enough that some dealers are clueless.  That is why it is better to purchase from a knowledgeable owner or specialized dealer (FOT, MOT, etc.).  But this is not always possible, and that is where the Forum becomes so very valuable!  There will be many questions, and the excellent members here just LOVE to answer them!  Hope you enjoy your GV as much as we do ours.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Switch at the base of the bed

Reply #8 –
Our is a '92 and the switch powers an outlet in the engine compartment for a block heater.  The toggle is lighted to let you know it is on.  Be careful not to accidentally engage the switch as the bed skirt hangs blocking view of it.  My wife accidentally turned it on and I didn't notice it until weeks later.  We keep the rig on my father in laws empty lot.  He has power there so I keep the battery charger (smart charger) on.  My father in law asked me the next month why the electric bill was so high the previous month.  He has some things stored in a garage on the property and has a lot of lighting so he doesn't mind the little extra for the charger.  Apparently the block heater uses some juice.
Dwayne Keith
1992 U240
3116/MD3060

Re: Switch at the base of the bed

Reply #9 –
We have a small plastic cover over the block heater switch that has to be lifted to move toggle. One time accidently turned on is the last time for us. We also lift bed skirt and tuck it in when the heater is on, so we can see the switch.

Re: Switch at the base of the bed

Reply #10 –
We didn't care for the bed skirt so it was removed fairly early in our stewardship of this coach. That makes the lighted switch much easier to see. It is easy to accidentally turn on, so having it exposed is good.

Re: Switch at the base of the bed

Reply #11 –
Too many times I would find the switch in the "ON" position so now I pull the plug out of the outlet and leave it out until the time comes that weather or conditions dictate the block heater be functioning. Cold weather and I know we will be moving within 12 hours.

Works for me.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Switch at the base of the bed

Reply #12 –
A bit of a related twist but is there a way to turn up the thermostat for warmer water when you are in electric mode only? I found the bedside switch but just can't get but lukewarm water.
Alan & Gerri Ortiz
1996 U295 36 ft.
"Rocinante"
Hartwell, Georgia
1999 Subaru Forester
Build No. 4957 Motorcader 17399

Re: Switch at the base of the bed

Reply #13 –
Alan, Water temp should be the same on electric or gas.  The heating element may be going bad. 
Gary B