Purpose Of Switch Under Bed

jdomke1 · 06-25-2022, 07:41 AM

We just bought a 2005 Thor Hurricane 32R. Part of the problem buying used is that some owners manuals are missing. The people we bought from are getting up in age and can’t always remember things.

Under our bed in the back, on the front side near the floor, is an electric outlet and a 3-way light switch. I’ve found nothing on this. By chance today I was messing with it. When I flipped to up, the rear a/c came on. Awesome because it’s never worked for us. I flip to center position and down position. Nothing. I’m not sure what to expect here. The front a/c didn’t come on. I’d love to see a wiring diagram for the coach. I’ve got things not working and no idea how to diagnose.

I noticed the carbon monoxide and propane alarms were not lit. I took them off to find the carbon monoxide only has 1 wire attached. The propane had both but no power to them. Fuse was good. I reach down the wall cavity and find two orange wires with wire nuts on them. I connected one to the carbon monoxide and it worked. Played around wire the other orange and the propane and got that to work.

In summary, I’m flying blind trying to fix things and track down issues. I’ve tried setting up an account in Thor Owners but it says my VIN is invalid. It’s on the title and original sales contract. Frustrating.

Bob Nodine · 06-25-2022, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdomke1

We just bought a 2005 Thor Hurricane 32R. Part of the problem buying used is that some owners manuals are missing. The people we bought from are getting up in age and can’t always remember things.

Under our bed in the back, on the front side near the floor, is an electric outlet and a 3-way light switch. I’ve found nothing on this. By chance today I was messing with it. When I flipped to up, the rear a/c came on. Awesome because it’s never worked for us. I flip to center position and down position. Nothing. I’m not sure what to expect here. The front a/c didn’t come on. I’d love to see a wiring diagram for the coach. I’ve got things not working and no idea how to diagnose.

I noticed the carbon monoxide and propane alarms were not lit. I took them off to find the carbon monoxide only has 1 wire attached. The propane had both but no power to them. Fuse was good. I reach down the wall cavity and find two orange wires with wire nuts on them. I connected one to the carbon monoxide and it worked. Played around wire the other orange and the propane and got that to work.

In summary, I’m flying blind trying to fix things and track down issues. I’ve tried setting up an account in Thor Owners but it says my VIN is invalid. It’s on the title and original sales contract. Frustrating.

I am guessing a previous owner added the 3-way switch to disable the rear AC and enable some other 110 VAC appliance such as a clothes dryer, electric heater, etc. You may have to trace the wiring to see where it terminates. Could be as simple as a duplex outlet that is connected to the circuit breaker for the rear AC for an electric heater in the winter when the AC is not needed. The switch could be used to swith the circuit breaker away from the AC and to another device.

Jimbo56 · 06-25-2022, 12:27 PM

I would keep trying Thor. Ask for a supervisor. They’ve got records of every unit built.

The Gritz Carlton · 06-25-2022, 01:42 PM

I would call the people you bought it from and ask them. It sounds like some modifications were made so they should know.

**EA37TS** · 06-25-2022, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbo56

I would keep trying Thor. Ask for a supervisor. They’ve got records of every unit built.

No they don’t. Thor doesn’t maintain records on units built before the acquisition of another brand.

Chateau_Nomad · 06-26-2022, 04:06 AM

With a 16 year old coach, I'd adopt the mindset that you're likely going to learn the inner workings of your coach from researching forums. Most likely the schematics have drastically changed, along with components. Add to that the fact of customization by previous owners.

I have no idea of your troubleshooting skills, or your knowledge of motorhome "systems". If this isn't your first rodeo, you know what's involved. Otherwise, learn to trace wiring and apply basic troubleshooting skills. In the process you'll learn a LOT about the specifics of your motorhome!

P.S. Carbon monoxide detectors have a lifespan... when in doubt, replace it. They're not expensive, and definitely not worth the risk of it not working!

Bob Nodine · 06-26-2022, 10:33 AM

Confusing to the next owner and yourself if you happen to have senior moments like me can be avoided if labels are applied to modifications you make such as the one the OP is dealing with. Here are two of the four duplex outlets I have added to our motorhome.

Jimbo56 · 06-26-2022, 10:55 AM

So the AC runs when the switch is up. Is the receptacle hot? Flip the switch to the down position. Is the receptacle hot?

bevedfelker · 06-26-2022, 12:13 PM

Thor should be able to tell you if they ever manufactured Hurricanes with two air conditioners. I'm thinking this was one of the owners modification.

Bill Johnson · 06-26-2022, 12:31 PM

Sounds like the people you bought it from never used the rear air, they didn't know the switch was there. I would trace the wires back to the power source it might go to an inverter or they connected it to the panel and maybe switched between ac units, like when the slept they turned on the rear ac and during the day they ran the front one. They probably can't run both at the same time unless you rewire it to use a separate 120 volt cord to plug in to the pedestal

The Gritz Carlton · 06-26-2022, 12:35 PM

They may have added 2nd A/C aftermarket. Try giving the previous owner a call....I think this was mentioned earlier in this post by someone.

happy · 06-26-2022, 02:30 PM

We have our TPMS booster wired to a switch inside a basement storage bay.
It is wired to an always on circuit and I want to be able to turn it off.

This thread made realize I need to put good label on this and other custom work. That way when I get older loosing my hair many years from now, I will be able to identify what that switch is.

I suppose the kids or the next owner could benefit as well.

**EA37TS** · 06-26-2022, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bevedfelker

Thor should be able to tell you if they ever manufactured Hurricanes with two air conditioners. I'm thinking this was one of the owners modification.

Four Winds built the Hurricane in 2005. Calling TMC will do no good because they didn’t exist until 2010. Thor industries did but not TMC.

Beau388 · 06-26-2022, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbo56

I would keep trying Thor. Ask for a supervisor. They’ve got records of every unit built.

Well, that is true, but not all are available to the customer. The Thor MC Customer Service maintains only the records from 2010 on the servers. Thor Industries bought Four Winds in 1992 but did not consolidate the motor coaches into one division until 2010. The older records do exist somewhere but they are not available to Thor MC CS.

lwmcguir · 06-26-2022, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdomke1

We just bought a 2005 Thor Hurricane 32R. Part of the problem buying used is that some owners manuals are missing. The people we bought from are getting up in age and can’t always remember things.

Under our bed in the back, on the front side near the floor, is an electric outlet and a 3-way light switch. I’ve found nothing on this. By chance today I was messing with it. When I flipped to up, the rear a/c came on. Awesome because it’s never worked for us. I flip to center position and down position. Nothing. I’m not sure what to expect here. The front a/c didn’t come on. I’d love to see a wiring diagram for the coach. I’ve got things not working and no idea how to diagnose.

I noticed the carbon monoxide and propane alarms were not lit. I took them off to find the carbon monoxide only has 1 wire attached. The propane had both but no power to them. Fuse was good. I reach down the wall cavity and find two orange wires with wire nuts on them. I connected one to the carbon monoxide and it worked. Played around wire the other orange and the propane and got that to work.

In summary, I’m flying blind trying to fix things and track down issues. I’ve tried setting up an account in Thor Owners but it says my VIN is invalid. It’s on the title and original sales contract. Frustrating.

Battery alarms or battery backup are by far safer. Sounds like yours were just 12v per your notes. You want to be alarmed if needed even if you don't have shore power or 12v power.

Use a signal tracer and you can find where the wiring goes in a few minutes.

Cheap ones are available.

The Gritz Carlton · 06-26-2022, 10:24 PM

I think posts that run for 10 or more replies with advice and help without the OP even coming back in the room should be removed or closed. It's frustrating trying to follow some of these issues and help folks when all they were in the beginning was a "Rookie Rant". That's the new name for this scenario.

Lt Keefer · 06-26-2022, 11:16 PM

I agree, no reply from OP to a problem is frustrating. But, on the other hand, most of the replies to this post were nonsense.

**16ACE27** · 06-26-2022, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lt Keefer

I agree, no reply from OP to a problem is frustrating. But, on the other hand, most of the replies to this post were nonsense.

When you have "nonsense" information (lack of information) it will generate nonsense responses (guesses).

The Gritz Carlton · 06-27-2022, 12:23 AM

Nonsense is contributing nothing but criticism about those that tried to help him.

jdomke1 · 06-28-2022, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

I think posts that run for 10 or more replies with advice and help without the OP even coming back in the room should be removed or closed. It's frustrating trying to follow some of these issues and help folks when all they were in the beginning was a "Rookie Rant". That's the new name for this scenario.

I’m sorry. I’ve received ZERO notifications someone responded to my post.

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