Class C Control Panel Questions

[pconroy328]

Howdy - we grabbed that 2008 Coachmen 21QB that I talked about earlier. We didn't get as detailed of a walkthru as I would have liked, so can I ask a question or three about the control panel?



1) That "Tank Heater" switch. I know it's not the water heater. Does that mean this model has a Fresh Water Tank heater? If so, how would I know if it works?

2) The Tank/Test button. I get the Tank button, but what does the Test button do?

3) And, I'm just curious about the "COMPT LIGHT" at the bottom. There's no switch there so it's moot, but just what does COMPT stand for? Compartment? Would this control the light in the storage compartments underneath the motorhome?
:h



thanks!
🙂

[chevyman2]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The fresh tank is generally under the bed (In a class C) or in an area where heat from the furnace will find, therefore the fresh water tank will not freeze (as long as your furnace is working).

The waste tanks can and do freeze (if not heated). Then they can not be dumped (emptied) until the thaw out.

[pconroy328]

Thank you! I found a brochure from 2008 and they mention that the Tank Heater is for the "Electrically Heated Holding Tanks".

That's neat but I'm wondering, why heat the waste tanks before the fresh water tank?

[Bobbo]

pconroy328 wrote:
Howdy - we grabbed that 2008 Coachmen 21QB that I talked about earlier. We didn't get as detailed of a walkthru as I would have liked, so can I ask a question or three about the control panel?

1) That "Tank Heater" switch. I know it's not the water heater. Does that mean this model has a Fresh Water Tank heater? If so, how would I know if it works?

2) The Tank/Test button. I get the Tank button, but what does the Test button do?

3) And, I'm just curious about the "COMPT LIGHT" at the bottom. There's no switch there so it's moot, but just what does COMPT stand for? Compartment? Would this control the light in the storage compartments underneath the motorhome?
:h



thanks!
🙂

1. Someone has added tank heaters, probably to the black and gray tanks. That is the usual place you find tank heaters. To see if it works, make sure you have some liquid in the tanks, turn it on, go outside and feel of them to see if they warm up. Only use them when plugged in to a pedestal. They will drain a battery in no time flat.

2. If the TANK TEST button only goes one direction, then it is simply that, the button that tests how full the tanks are. If it goes both ways (I have never seen one like that), then TANK tests how full the tanks are and TEST tests the lights to see if they all work.

3. My guess is that COMPT means "compartment." If it was there, it would be a way to be sure all of your compartment lights were off while traveling.

[enblethen]

The test button is to show you that all the indicators work. Does this switch go in both directions.
Press the switch toward "Tank" to see what levels tanks and battery are at. Don't trust them. They never work perfectly.
Looks like some one has added a tank heater. Probably the fresh water.
Genset start and stop with hour meter.
Water pump and water heater. Must have a DSI (direct spark ignition) water heater
Rig must have some lights in the compartments with a main switch. My rig has switches in the compartments, but the main switch on dash must be on.

[robsouth]

"Tank Heater" is likely the holding tank heater. The "test" button lightes up the panel to show results of the test of the battery and the fresh, grey and black holding tanks. Compt is most likely compartment lights that you do not have. I don't have your RV so I'm just speculating based on RV's that I have had..