What does the LP switch on control panel do?

[harleyman134]

I have a new to me 2005 MADP and trying to make sure I know how the heating system(s) work in preparation for a trip to the mountains. I have a Hydro Hot system and a Heat Pump so I assume I don't have a gas furnace. Now to the reason of my post, I have a LP switch on the master control panel and I can't figure out what it operates, with my heating system(s) I assume I dont' have a furnace and the only propane use I have is the refrig and cook top. I can operate both of these systems with the switch in either position so best I can figure the LP switch does not operate anything, is this correct?

Thanks

Sonny

[Saber77]

I believe it simply turns on and off the LP gas detector, which draws 12 volt power.

["007"]

Saber77 is correct. Watch the little green light with it on or off or just press the test button on detector.
There is a 1 amp fuse that supplies the detector which may be in compartment under drivers side. Mine was coiled up in wiring bunch of wires near fire wall drivers side on gas coach.

[RV Mech Tech]

Also when the LP detector turns on it may also power up a shut-off solenoid in the gas line at the propane tank to open - this way if the detector is not on then no propane flows - look for two wires going into a solenoid in the propane line at the tank.

["007"]

Newmar does not have one only single wire for tank level display.

[harleyman134]

Thanks for the reply's, will check out the LP detector tomorrow. As far as shutting off the tanks when the detector is not on. I don't think this situation applies to me, I can operate the cooktop and refrig with the switch in either position, I let both units run long enough to make sure it would use all the lp in the lines in case it shut the valve off in either position.

[a k]

Same here. I couldn't figure it out until now. Keep that blinking light off at night . Nice.

[Iron Man]

On our 2004 Essex the switch controlled the CO detector. It did not control propane flow. Took some time to figure that out. Our 2007 is all electric so no CO detector.

[DandS]

Just a question that pops to mind........why would you want to turn off the LP detector if you have an LP system in your coach ??? Think I would want to be warned of a leak. Kind of like turning off the smoke detector. What am I missing?

[GaryKD]

Hi Dave,
Storage is what you may be missing. The detector is a constant DC voltage drain on the batteries. When the coach is in storage turning off the detector eliminates this drain on the batteries.

[a k]

Your right. It shuts it off. Thanks for that info. Couldn't figure what the drain on the battery was.

If they would have put solenoid on the tank with the detector, you wouldn't have to run outside to turn the valve off if you did have a leak. GO figure

[DandS]

Gary - Thanks for the explanation but on my coach the detector is off when I turn off the battery disconnect for storage. Guess it just shows different coaches have different systems. Not sure why they all wouldn't be wired that way.

[harleyman134]

OP here, I went and checked the switch again, the switch on the master control panel controls the detector on my unit and nothing else. The detector is not effected by the master switch used to store the unit either. Summary, the detector is controled by the lp switch on the control panel and nothing else so if you just put the mh in store mode the detector will still draw current unless you turn the lp switch off.

[RV Mech Tech]

a k - that solenoid is just to make sure that the LP detector is on when you are operating the LP system - it does not shut off the system when there is a leak, only when the LP detector is off - you would still have to shut the tank main valve off if you had a leak - Forest River Class A Georgetowns have this sytem on them on their ASME tanks.