Hornet mystery switch

[hornet28]

We bought 03 Hornet 28 2 weeks ago and we have a mystery 110 v switch. This switch is located just to the left of the cook stove and to the right of the sink. It's a rocker switch and the size is comparable to a switch in your home. Can anyone tell me what this switch controls?

[canesfan]

Is it lighted? If so my guess would be for the hot water heater.

[hornet28]

No the hot water switch is in the front right corner. This is not lighted, it looks like a regular house switch. Here are two pictures showing the switch, it's the white one. In the picture showing the entire window the hot water heater switch is the black one left of the window.

[canesfan]

Hmmm, looks like a light switch for sure. And it's odd to see switches on an outside wall. They don't make them like that anymore. Maybe for the garbage disposal? :D Seriously, is it on the door side of the trailer? Could it be for an outdoor light?

[JRTJH]

We're talking about a 15 year old trailer with the probability of multiple owners who may have modified or changed things in the trailer through the years. This switch may not be OEM and I haven't seen many (there are some exceptions) with "full size switches" on 12 volt circuits. Most 12 volt wiring has "mini switches" and the 110 VAC side is "full size". So things like 110 outlets are 'full size". I don't know of any "hybrid light systems" in the past 20+ years (a combination of 12 VDC and 110 VAC lights). So my guess would be that switch is not for lighting. It may be an "owner installed water pump switch" or it may be a modification to add an inside water heater electric switch.

It very likey isn't OEM (the plugs in that trailer and the water pump switch are black/dark brown so the factory would probably have followed the same color scheme for that switch.

I think the first action would be to pull the switch and see if it's ROMEX (AC) or single wires (DC) to the switch. That would give you, at least a 50% reduction in possible function. You may find that it's not even hooked up and was just added to cover a hole in the paneling..... I know that's "far out there" but in 15+ years, trailers go through a lot of use, abuse and owners resort to some strange things to "fix a problem"....

[hornet28]

I've had the switch out as I had to replace the broken one. I replaced it with the exact same switch from an RV dealer and it is 110. I verified this with a tester first with shore power connected then disconnected. No it's not the water pump either and yes it is Romex. With the exception of the water heater switch all plugs and switches are white not brown or black. As far as switches on the outside wall the switches for the 12v lights in living area and outside light are on the outside wall and so is a switch for the bedroom lights. We are only the third owners and the second one had it from 05 until 2 weeks ago. Also the trailer hasn't seen a lot of use or been abused.

[chuckster57]

Electric side of water heater?

[Fredh]

I have a 2001 hornet with the same switch and it controls the electric side of the water heater. The small black light up switch controls the propane side of the water heater.

[JRTJH]

I'm not real familiar with the Hornet trailers, especially the older ones, but if I recall, they are aluminum sided, wooden frame trailers with "hand packed fiberglass insulation. They are not the newer "vacuum bonded foam core walls" found on many of today's trailers. I bring this up because the reason for not installing wiring in the sidewalls of "today's" trailers is because of the wall construction. That wasn't an issue with the older aluminum sidewall trailers.

So, that switch wouldn't have been restricted by "today's construction techniques"....

I can't think of anything other than a switch for the water heater that would be "designed into" that location. It seems reasonable, since it's confirmed to be 110 VAC. A possible way to confirm would be to crawl under the cabinetry, follow the ROMEX back to the power center and possibly you can see which circuit breaker those wires are connected to. That might answer the question, otherwise it looks like a "turn it on see what starts working, turn it off, see what doesn't work" kind of situation.

ADDED: While I was typing, it looks like fredh solved the mystery.

[hornet28]

Thanks Fredh. I really appreciate it. I was hoping someone on here owned a Hornet and could tell me.

JRTJH I had turned the switch on and off but wasn't thinking water heater so I didn't see anything coming on or off. Your suggestion to follow the wire would've been a good idea for the next step.

[chuckster57]

Didn't I say water heater first? Don't I win the prize? :facepalm:

Anyway test it to make sure and let us know.

[hornet28]

chuckster57 actually I think you were second but in my "infinite wisdom" I'd ruled out water heater because of the black lighted switch which says Atwood right on it. DUH!!!!!! LOL

[chuckster57]

It's all good! Just do me a favor and verify that's what it is.