This may well be the most simple and inexpensive mod' ever, but hopefully somebody will find it useful...While on a camping trip this past weekend, my wife commented that when she had gotten up to use the restroom in the middle of the night and she'd had a hard time figuring out which switch on the control panel to flip to turn the water pump on and off. Although there are power indicator lights at the bottom of the panel, the switches are challenging to identify in the dark.This seemed like a easy problem to remedy; I stopped by my FLAPS and picked-up two illuminated rocker switches... one blue and one red ($3.69ea), and snapped them into the control panel where the black switches had been. The blue on is for the water pump and red is the water heater. Problem solved and DW is happy :)Cheers, -Mark

So the switches are lighted even though they are off? Seems like that would use up a bit of extra battery when boon docking if you do that. If not then it's all good.You could also have installed a small LED lamp to light the entire panel and it wouldn't take as much juice.

Good job. And, just to add to Scott's comment - the separate LED would make a great night light as well.

When it is dark out and we want to see a switch, we turn the light on.

Good idea. They probably use an LED and it draws very little current.

Lighted Water Heater & Pump Switches | Good Sam Community

Carb_Cleaner
Explorer
Nov 30, 2014
Two of the motion sensor, self-stick fixtures, in Silver, ordered.
I hate it when the OL flips the switch in the S&B so my shop light is out and I gotta dig for my cell phone or Bic lighter in order to see my shop's lock. I'm certain she does it on purpose.
The second unit will be a Christmas stocking stuffer for my Dad.
I probably should'a ordered three. Awesome idea.
To the OP, lit switches are pretty sexy and I hope you see some action out of them. Nice mod.
RoyB
Explorer II
Nov 29, 2014
I like the motion detection lights idea in the hall ways or other areas where one would be handy to have. Light Comes on when you walk up to it...

Roy Ken
msiminoff
Explorer II
Nov 24, 2014
Thanks for all of the comments...

• The switches are only illuminated when in the ON position and their little incandescent lamps draw just 40mA... not enough for me to care about, especially since they are only on for short periods of time.

• As a matter of course we turn off the water pump (and heater) when not in use.

• I do have an awesome LED night light! It shines light right where we need it (e.g. on the switch panel & on the floor, but not onto our beds). It draws <15mA and as a result it is typically left on 24/7 while camping.

• FLAPS = Friendly Local Auto Parts Store

Cheers,
-Mark
webslave
Explorer
Nov 23, 2014
We always had trouble seeing any switches on our large panel in our Cougar 318SAB. I remembered putting a motion sensitive LED light above the combination dial on my gunsafes. I got another one of them and put it top center of the switch panel. Now it senses when somebody is at the panel and illuminates the entire panel. Perfect. No more trying to get a flashlight to find a switch or having to turn on the big overheads (which is difficult to do since the switch for them is also on that panel...). My switches are all illuminated, but, it was difficult to find any one switch to turn it on. Now we just step up to the panel, read the switch name and turn it on.

Here's one source for them:

Motion sensor gun safe LED light
coolbreeze01
Explorer
Nov 23, 2014
FLAPS? Good idea.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Nov 23, 2014
I installed lighted switches for the water heater. Damage will result if the heater is left on without being filled. Note that the switch design, on these panels, is rather dumb with the on position being down.
doxiemom11
Explorer II
Nov 23, 2014
Our water pump is left on if we aren't on city hookups. Why would you need to shut it off? It should only run when you draw water. If you hear it running at other times or it leaks there is a problem that needs to be fixed.
tenbear
Explorer
Nov 23, 2014
Good idea. They probably use an LED and it draws very little current.
penguin747
Explorer
Nov 23, 2014
Excellent mod
Happy_Prospecto
Explorer
Nov 23, 2014
When it is dark out and we want to see a switch, we turn the light on.