Mystery Switch

[beetlebug]

I know this may seem like a simple question, but I am totally stumped. We recently upgraded from a 5th wheel to a 50amp motorhome. We bought the motorhome from an individual. Unfortunately, the gentlemen has cancer as was not able to do a total walk through with us. As you walk into the coach, you will find the entry switch panel (battery indicator, ceiling lightning, compartment lights, step, battery connect and porch light. Right below it is a switch that lights up when you turn it on. Looking through all the manuals, I can not find it. Any ideas what this switch if for? I don't want to keep bothering the former owner. He was quite sad to have to give up the RV life.

Second question. We plugged in the coach to home power. Yesterday, while running the generator, we checked out the TV. Today while plugged into home power we could not get TV to come on. Any suggestions?

A sure appreciate your help and patience as we begin this part of our RV adventure.

[Executive45]

Richard, FYI...I appreciate your efforts to discredit the existence of these switches. Often, posters are second or third owners of these coaches and unfortunately the manuals that come with them are seldom passed along. Helping the folks on here to better understand how their machines work is the goal of the forum. At any rate, below I've attached a couple photos from my manuals depicting the switch with photos and a brief description of what it does. While Monaco refers to them as a battery cut-off switch, (as opposed to a battery DISCONNECT switch), they are more commonly referred to as "salesman" switches because they cut off 12V power to the domestic fuse panel only and not all power as a battery disconnect switch would....Dennis

[Executive45]

Richard...I'll try to post it for you tomorrow...:B...Dennis

[beetlebug]

Thank you all for your help. The owner brought over the owner manuals and the mystery has been solved. It is an inverter switch (Thanks Don).

[workhardplayha1]

Could be your step override.

[RLS7201]

Wrong Lane wrote:
Wow--calling a guy out over the name of a switch. The forum has reached an all time low.

And what is your part in the subject matter? Was you offended? If someone needs to be offended, I'm glad it was you and hopefully not Dennis.

Richard

[Dyngbld]

beetlebug wrote:
Right below it is a switch that lights up when you turn it on. Looking through all the manuals, I can not find it. Any ideas what this switch if for?

I don't know but I wish you would stop using it! My porch light has been going off and on at random for days now and it is starting to get annoying. 🙂

[Wrong_Lane]

Wow--calling a guy out over the name of a switch. The forum has reached an all time low.

[RLS7201]

Executive wrote:

OnaQuest wrote:

Executive wrote:
My guess is it is the salesman's switch. Flip it and see if your interior lights, the tvs and other things don't work. Then flip it again and see if they come on. They were put in coaches so the salesman didn't have to use the disconnect switch when showing coaches. IMHO, a waste of money....Dennis

I'm not sure why this myth continues to get propagated. The Disconnect switches were NEVER intended for use by the "salesman". They are installed in nearly ALL motorhomes to be used when the coach is put in extended storage without 120vac power available. Some diesel coaches also have a master "kill" switch located in the engine compartment for emergency purposes.

You will not find any reference to a "salesman switch" in any official motor home documentation.

My Monaco manual specifically refers to the "Salesman Switch" just inside the front door...it's also shown and referenced in the electrical schematics they provided with the coach when new....Dennis

Dennis, Can you post a copy of that "Salesman Switch" script. I'm not saying you're pulling our legs but I've seen a lot of owners manuals over the last 20 years and have never seen that mentioned.

Thanks
Richard

[Executive45]

OnaQuest wrote:

Executive wrote:
My guess is it is the salesman's switch. Flip it and see if your interior lights, the tvs and other things don't work. Then flip it again and see if they come on. They were put in coaches so the salesman didn't have to use the disconnect switch when showing coaches. IMHO, a waste of money....Dennis

I'm not sure why this myth continues to get propagated. The Disconnect switches were NEVER intended for use by the "salesman". They are installed in nearly ALL motorhomes to be used when the coach is put in extended storage without 120vac power available. Some diesel coaches also have a master "kill" switch located in the engine compartment for emergency purposes.

You will not find any reference to a "salesman switch" in any official motor home documentation.

My Monaco manual specifically refers to the "Salesman Switch" just inside the front door...it's also shown and referenced in the electrical schematics they provided with the coach when new....Dennis

[OnaQuest]

Executive wrote:
My guess is it is the salesman's switch. Flip it and see if your interior lights, the tvs and other things don't work. Then flip it again and see if they come on. They were put in coaches so the salesman didn't have to use the disconnect switch when showing coaches. IMHO, a waste of money....Dennis

I'm not sure why this myth continues to get propagated. The Disconnect switches were NEVER intended for use by the "salesman". They are installed in nearly ALL motorhomes to be used when the coach is put in extended storage without 120vac power available. Some diesel coaches also have a master "kill" switch located in the engine compartment for emergency purposes.

You will not find any reference to a "salesman switch" in any official motor home documentation.

[Mike_M2]

Umm, the question has already been answered by someone with the exact same MH...

[don_b1]

just thought of another possibility with your TV issue. Make sure you did not press your battery disconnect switch. It is located in the same location as your inverter switch.

[donhoward49]

The switch.. Could be for Cargo bays?? I have one that lights all the basement storage. A picture of the switch would be nice.
Your electric.. Did you say that you were plugged in, and ran the generator?? Please, not at the same time..As previously stated the key "ON" will shut off the TV.
good luck, keep the questions coming.

[Wrong_Lane]

Might be an entry step light. Look under the door area with the door open.

Might be for a service light in the engine compartment.

Might be for night lights along the floor, like airplane aisle lights.

This is part of the fun of buying a used MH. When you do find out what the switch controls it will be of those rare "AHH -- why didn't I think of that sooner" moments.

When you do find out be sure to post the answer.

Good luck with your new rig!!

PS

Guess I was typing at the same time as don-b, who owns the same rig. Anyhow I am sure there will be lots of other learning curve experiances for you - Safe travels