bathroom wall switch

I know the switch under the rear bathroom wall turns the power on and off but what is it called? Mine is broke and need to replace it. I know I can bypass it for the time being if I need to but I do like having it as a back up incase something gets left on.

[commodor47]

The switch is similar to a riding mower interlock switch. Try searching for 12 volt on/off button switch. The switch is similar to a horn button or starter button.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_nk...161343-153664-

Dick

[Bill]

Went out and checked mine. The switch looks kind of like this. Metal pushbutton, metal body, screw terminals on the side. As Dick pointed out, it is similar to an automotive starter button, and I found this one at Autozone.

Be aware, though, that it probably needs at least a 3/4 inch shank (the threaded part) in order to go through the mounting board and have enough threads left to take the washer and nut. This may count as an "extended shank", which may not be easy to find. (NAPA has one that looks like it might have a longer shank.) The alternative would be to counterbore the underside of the mounting board, and then strengthen the board by topping it with a small metal plate. Mine does, in fact, have such a small metal plate.

I'm sorry that I can't see mine better, but it is tucked in a dark corner, and it is raining too hard for me to consider disassembling the whole thing.

Bill

[rvcycleguy]

One thing to remember about how the switch works is the button is depressed by the weight of the wall and continues to hold it down while in service. Some similiar button switches from an automotive store may actuate as a toggle when completely depressed like the old style floor mounted dimmer switch. You would have to fold the wall twice to disengage that type of switch. Just something to keep in mind that not all switches work the same although they may look the same.

I bring this up because I have an automotive store background and the younger customer associates may not understand the specific characteristics required for the replacement.

[Bill]

Good point, Cycleguy, I missed that. The desired switch will be described as "intermittent" and "SPST" (single pole single throw - in other words, on-off) and "normally open".

Bill

Now is this switch just a device to shut off the power when stored? Or does it do something else? Can I move the switch so if I have to set up in dark I don't have to fumble around with a flashlight to get the bathroom wall set up before I can turn on the inside lights?

It is a safety issue only. There is a danger that if a light over the rear bed is accidentally left on a fire could be started when the hot light makes contact with the bedding when the TM is collapsed. The TM solution to this potential danger is to automatically shut off all power to the rear when the bathroom walls are put down to close the TM. The only way around this would be to move or eliminate the switch, which would defeat the safety intent of having it in the first place. We have a portable Coleman battery lantern that I can set on the counter giving enough light to complete inside setup until the bathroom walls are in place.

[rvcycleguy]

And of course the front roof lights are always working whether the bathroom walls are up or down.

I can see well enough by the front shell lights.

I have more difficulty setting the leveling blocks on a moonless night. My son ought me a headlamp (miner's light) that works well. But I rarely use it because I can never remember where I left it.

Thanks guys. And Pop I have a solution to the problem of setting up the jacks in the dark, I am going to install a Tantrum light kit on the corners of my TM. I use them on my rock crawler and they are a great product. Plus they are led, inexpensive, on a remote and just plain fun. Here is a link to thier website. I bought mine from an offroad store. http://www.visionxusa.com/Accent_Lig..._24/index.html