Trbl. Shooting Elec. Shade Toggle

[Chickadee]

Before causing addnl. problems, figured I'd ask...

Have elec. window shade on small (end) window of dining area slide (aft. end of slide), which is operated by pressing one of the double ganged toggle switches on a plate adj. to this window. (One toggle activates small end shade, the other toggle activates large outboard side window shade).

Large shade toggle operates correctly, however, small end window shade toggle quit working, (ie., won't raise closed shade).

Toggle is self centering by spring. Depressing top (upper) part of switch is supposed to raise the shade, while depressing lower end of switch lowers shade. (Toggle returns to center if not manually being pressed).

At first this malfunctioning toggle didn't seem to activate shade roller/motor in either direction (raise/lower) however after pushing VERY firmly on both the raise and the lower end of this switch, the roller motor DID momentarily activate to bump the shade DOWNWARD (ie., roller motor started and shade moved down abt. a 1/4 inch). Could not get any roller/motor response when pushing firmly on up end of toggle.

The point of all this is that I'm pretty convinced the problem is with the toggle switch and not the shade roller/motor.

BEFORE I pull this double toggle switch plate off the sidewall adj. to the window, WHAT am I gettin into...and...is it fixable?

Thanks. Steve

[George Z]

Might just be a wire connector loose on the back of the switch

[Iron Man]

Take the plate loose and pull it out. The connectors for the switches are spade connectors. Just remember that they are hot with 12 volts! Has a friend that had window awning issues and a wire had come loose from the switch.

[Midniteoyl]

Self centering switches can go bad (and often do).. what you describe sounds like the internal contacts are broke.

["007"]

Steve maybe this thread will help with GaryKD and others plus other installations on other link. Found in Quick Tips.

[Chickadee]

THANKS to ALL of you.

When I finally get up the gumption to pull this switch plate, I'll let y'all know what I find and what needed fixing....assuming I can figure it out .

So far, I'm still tryin to figure how to cut power to this switch without shuttin the whole rig down....pretty ignorant...hey?

THANKS AGAIN: Steve

[wa8yxm]

Either pull the fuse that powers the shades or disconnect at least one (CENTER) wire from the switch (or two, any two, if you disconnect more than one be sure to label which is which first)

Now cycle the switch (UP/Down/UP/DOWN) several dozen times (At least 2-4 dozen) reconnect (or replace fuse) and see if it works better.

The only guarantee I give on this is if it does not work your FREE is cheerfully refunded... If it does.. Please post thank you.

Why this MIGHT work (I've had it work twice now.. Just twice)

The switches are supposed to be "Self Cleaning" But if they get dirty enough then the arcing that occures when you press is more than the wiping action of the contacts can overcome... Removing power removes the arc and lets the switch clean itself. SOMETIMES.

In my case it was the USE side of the battery disconnect that failed. Was not too pleased with that till I used "Clean switch method 1" described above and then.... Well it's been 4 years plus and it's still working.

[Chickadee]

Time and again when advice is offered pertaining to something having to do with electrical power in our rigs, often someone says something like, ...."be sure to pull the fuse"....., or ....."disconnect the power"....., etc. etc., to the fixture or part being worked on.

Am I the only one who has a devil of a time locating that danged fuse !!! ????? I'm still looking for a way to cut the power to the shade toggle switch mentioned in my original post, but, short of disconnecting shore power, AND....disconnecting batteries, HOW do I shut off elec. juice to this double ganged toggle switch fixture?

Boy...am I dumb!!

Steve

[GaryKD]

Hi Steve,
I hesitate to make a recommendation as I have found the Essex to be different in many ways from other Newmar coaches. But, Santa has already been to my house so there is nothing to lose.

The shade mentioned in the OP should be powered by the coach batteries. Coach battery 12 VDC fuses are in two places. The bulk of the fuses are located in a bus type arrangement sometimes next to the 120 VAC breaker panel. The other location is in the shore power cord bay. There are a few 12 VDC fuses located behind a protection panel, Usually on the rear wall of the compartment. An Essex may have other locations for a 12 VDC fuse bus.

All you Essex owners, how about posting where your 12 VDC fuses are located.

[a k]

Either behind shield in elect cord bay, next to breaker box above crapper and sometimes added to top of coach batterys. I would bet behind panel in elect cord panel. Call Newmar.

[Chickadee]

Gary & ak:

THANKS, this helps!! Will continue my search today....though it looks like rain headed this way.

Steve

[a k]

If it's only 12 volts, I'd just pull the switch and be careful not to short anything. !2 volts won't bite you.

[Chickadee]

ak:

Ya know,.....THAT'S what I was beginning to think. Going through this fuse hunt is drivin me NUTS!!! Think I'm gonna pull it!! (ahhh...if ya don't hear from me again.....it didn't work ).

Steve

[Spikester]

Ya but if you happen to short the two leads together the fuze blows, now you have the same dilemma!

Spike