What's this switch for?

[Chillbilly]

I have a 1987 Excella, 32', with center bath, rear bedroom, dinette and front side-to-side couch. By the entrance door there is a bank of four switches. One is for the step light, one is for the overhead lights, and one is for the outside light. The other switch doesn't seem to do anything. Anyone know what the switch is for?

[Aage]

On our trailer one of those switches is for the light over the sink.

Go looking for dead bulbs. That may help find the missing light.

Or... does your trailer have a "Store" switch?

[awryawry]

Howdy. My new '99 has a 'mystery switch' as well -- I discovered that it kills all low-voltage, effectively just like the battery switch behind the couch. I can see the reasoning behind a convenience switch when you're stepping out of the AS, but make sure the fridge is on gas!

wry

[Aage]

Yep, sounds like the "store/use battery disconnect" switch. Mine does not have that.

The thing is, it really doesn't shut down ALL of the 12VDC stuff, apparently it leaves on one or two items that, in time, can and will flatten your battery. The LP gas detector is one example.

[Skater]

The fourth switch in mine isn't (well, wasn't) hooked to anything. I presume it was for the optional valance lights. I hooked it to the wiring for the marker lights so I can turn them on very easily now.

If you can see the back of the switch, you can at least note what color wire is coming out of it to guess the purpose.

[3 Dog Nite]

Our moho had a mystery switch over the sink. One day I went to turn on the light over the sink & it wouldn't come on. After spending 1/2 a day swapping out fuses & fluorescent tubes, I gave up. I then turned on all lights by the switch on the fixture to see what else wasn't working. I went to the switches on the wall to turn on the outside lights too. When I flipped the switch over the sink, the light over the sink came on.

Your mystery switch might be a convenience switch to turn on another light when you walk in through the door. This way you don't have to walk into a dark trailer. Turn all of your lights on, then flip the switch & see what goes off.

[richinny]

my '94 had a switch there that had a heavy red wire running through it. i never found out what it was for and it was unlabeled. i wonder if it was for the origional fridge that was a 3-way fridge that could run on 12 volds dc?

[Chillbilly]

I have tried turning everything on and the switch doesn't shut anything off. Maybe it was for an optional refrigerator. I have the wiring diagram and it doesn't show a fourth switch in this location, but for sure it is factory installed. Oh well, I guess I'm not missing anything. Thanks for all the comments.

[Condoluminum]

It might also be the mystery switch that turns off power to microwave when A/C on , and vice versa.. We discovered that microwave outlet was switched to prevent attempting to run both at once, and exceed 30A demand when compounded with draw from power supply, 12V minimums like Refrigerator, etc... Not really enthusiastically explained in owner's manual...

[blkmagikca]

Originally Posted by Chillbilly

I have tried turning everything on and the switch doesn't shut anything off. Maybe it was for an optional refrigerator. I have the wiring diagram and it doesn't show a fourth switch in this location, but for sure it is factory installed. Oh well, I guess I'm not missing anything. Thanks for all the comments.

My 1987 32' Excella only has 3 switches near the door - the outside scare light, the outside step and door light and the inside ceiling light. However, I don't have the dinette model.

[3 Dog Nite]

Condoluminum's post reminds me of an option on my moho. It originally came with an instant hot water dispenser for tea or coffee. I had a switch that turned off the outlet under the sink where the water heater plugged in. This is how you would turn the heater on or off.

Perhaps you can switch off the outside outlet by this switch.

[Wazbro]

Maybe someone at Airstream put in the hole for the switch without realizing your trailer didn't have the option it's for.