Author Topic: switched at birth?  (Read 1536 times)

Bill Lampkin

  • BAC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1230
  • Thanked: 359 times
switched at birth?
« on: July 05, 2022, 09:42:10 PM »
Had a chance to use our 'salesman' switch today. I wonder if yours works the same. The switch has a locking button so you can't turn the switch off inadvertently. The switch will 'maintain' itself in the 'on' position. So far so good. So I moved the locking button to turn the switch off,  and found out that the switch is 'momentary' in the off position, in other words the switch will not stay in the off position by itself. There is a nice light in the switch to tell you its in the off position, but the switch will not stay off by itself. My question is; what's the point if the switch won't stay off? We just moved the coach from a storage site with a 30a hookup to a new site without electricity, so I'm trying to cut as many loads as possible.
2005 Patriot Thunder Lexington, 3 slides
40' tag axle (short wheelbase)
525 hp C13

"Goin where the weather suits my clothes..."

Steve Huber Co-Admin

  • Administrator Group
  • *
  • Posts: 3504
  • Thanked: 2689 times
Re: switched at birth?
« Reply #1 on: July 05, 2022, 10:31:04 PM »
Bill,
I think there is a relay that the switch activates to hold the power solenoid. If not that, it could be a bad switch or there is a way to engage the locking mechanism in the switch on position.
Steve
Steve
2015-          07 Contessa Bayshore C9,  400 hp
2013-2015: 00 Marquis Tourmaline, C12, 425 hp
2005-2013: 01 Contessa Naples, 3126B, 330 hp

Bill Lampkin

  • BAC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1230
  • Thanked: 359 times
Re: switched at birth?
« Reply #2 on: July 05, 2022, 11:11:30 PM »
I can hear the relay activate when in the momentary position, and no, the latch button does not move when switched to momentary. Still scratching my head.....
2005 Patriot Thunder Lexington, 3 slides
40' tag axle (short wheelbase)
525 hp C13

"Goin where the weather suits my clothes..."

Eric Maclean

  • BAC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1184
  • Thanked: 442 times
  • Karen and I would like to wish you all happy trail
Re: switched at birth?
« Reply #3 on: July 06, 2022, 12:02:41 AM »
Bill
In most cases the salesmen switch operate a latching solenoid that will latch in one of two positions on or off.
The salesmen switch used is normally a momentary meaning that once the so!enoid has moved and latched in either on or off position the switch does not need to be held.
The solenoid is set up this way so that it does not require power to the coil to hold it in either position

Does your switch turn the 12 volt power off to the coach ?
If not there is a problem with the switch operation or the latching solenoid.

Eric
1997 Patriot Yorktown
3126-B
2009 Chevy HHR
Roadmaster falcon tow bar
Demco Air Force one tow brake.

Fred Brooks

  • BAC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1617
  • Thanked: 749 times
  • RVIA Certified Luxury Technician 49 years, Retired
Re: switched at birth?
« Reply #4 on: July 06, 2022, 12:17:49 AM »
   Bill,
Simple test to find out if it is operational. Turn on the coach ceiling lights. Toggle the salesman switch on and off and the lights should do the same. Eric is correct, the intelletek solenoid only needs momentary power to leave it "engaged" or disengaged. Some considerations: Older coaches have been modified by previous owners because it is annoying if you are a full timer. That is why Monaco went to an "intentional" switch so you can't inadvertently turn it off by accident.
    Fred
Fred & Cindy Brooks
2000 Marquis, Jasper
C-12 Wild Cat (U of A)
2014 Honda CRV
Proverbs 3: 5 & 6

Joel Ashley

  • BAC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2341
  • Thanked: 801 times
  • OSU Class of '73, Oregon Native. RVing 39 years
Re: switched at birth?
« Reply #5 on: July 06, 2022, 03:07:36 AM »
The late Ken Carpenter at BCS once jokingly told me to leave that @*%! switch alone and in the ON position or he'd come looking for us.  Its not meant for repetitive use by the ultimate owner.  This at closing time and it failed just as we were leaving BCS following a few days of warranty services.  Ken called on a couple techs and the 3 of them worked on the issue so we could leave and they could go home for the evening.  He had them replace the latching solenoid as a precaution.

Joel
Joel and Lee Rae Ashley
Clackamas, Oregon
36.9 ft. 2006 Monterey Ventura IV, aka"Monty Rae"
C9 400HP Cat

Bill Lampkin

  • BAC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1230
  • Thanked: 359 times
Re: switched at birth?
« Reply #6 on: July 08, 2022, 05:44:44 PM »
Tried the ceiling lights as per Fred; All works as designed. There must be a latching relay somewhere. Thanks guys!
2005 Patriot Thunder Lexington, 3 slides
40' tag axle (short wheelbase)
525 hp C13

"Goin where the weather suits my clothes..."

Fred Brooks

  • BAC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1617
  • Thanked: 749 times
  • RVIA Certified Luxury Technician 49 years, Retired
Re: switched at birth?
« Reply #7 on: July 09, 2022, 08:36:32 PM »
Bill, Looks like this (Item in the oval). May be in the last compartment on the passenger side. Fred
Fred & Cindy Brooks
2000 Marquis, Jasper
C-12 Wild Cat (U of A)
2014 Honda CRV
Proverbs 3: 5 & 6

Joel Ashley

  • BAC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2341
  • Thanked: 801 times
  • OSU Class of '73, Oregon Native. RVing 39 years
Re: switched at birth?
« Reply #8 on: July 09, 2022, 09:54:01 PM »
On some rigs, like ours, the solenoid/relay is on the wall behind the battery bay fuse door.

Joel
Joel and Lee Rae Ashley
Clackamas, Oregon
36.9 ft. 2006 Monterey Ventura IV, aka"Monty Rae"
C9 400HP Cat
The following users thanked this post: Fred Brooks

Carl Boger

  • BAC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 433
  • Thanked: 132 times
Re: switched at birth?
« Reply #9 on: July 10, 2022, 02:20:49 AM »
I truly don't know where the relay is located, but after my wife accidently turned off everything one to many times coming in the door in the dark I covered the switch with a small piece of wood so it could not be turned off.  I can take out the two screws to access it which I consider than trying to turn everything back on in the dark.
Carl

98 Beaver Patriot Savannah
330 hp Cat 3126

Joel Ashley

  • BAC Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2341
  • Thanked: 801 times
  • OSU Class of '73, Oregon Native. RVing 39 years
Re: switched at birth?
« Reply #10 on: July 10, 2022, 03:34:14 AM »
Some have done similarly to what you have, Carl, or taped the switch down in the “on” position, or jumpered it’s back so it’s always ON.

Joel
Joel and Lee Rae Ashley
Clackamas, Oregon
36.9 ft. 2006 Monterey Ventura IV, aka"Monty Rae"
C9 400HP Cat