Mystery 12 volt switch

I have a 2005 Autosleeper Nuevo SE. There is a 12v switch on the outside of the bottom bed locker to the left of the Hot Air vent next to the wardrobe. (See picture).  The last owner told me at the handover that they did not know what it was for and that their previous owner told them to leave it in the off position. I didn’t think anything of it at the time as I was trying to take everything else in.
 
Everything in van works. I am very familiar with all of the accessories and appliances and I know where all the switches are etc.
 
I have been trying to identify what it is for. When you switch it on the red LED comes on but I cannot relate it to anything in the van. The wiring on the back of the switch seems to go into the trunking in the wardrobe and I suspect to the back of the control panel.
 
 
Does anybody know what it is for?


Thanks


Bernie Johnson

Hi Peter. Thanks. That is a possibility. I did notice that the cabling from the switch was a much higher amperage than those to a lot of the other appliances which would fit in. There is a Truma Ultraheat fitted in the van as standard that works on 240v or Gas so I would never need to use it as an immersion heater. There is absolutely nothing in any of the manuals that mention the switch which is a bit weird. Unless somebody else points me in a different direction I'll continue to leave it off. Regards. Bernie

I had 2006 Nuevo and if I recall that switch was for the water heater (not anti-frost element) to run on 240v. As you say it has Ultraheat and Ultrastore sysstem and not a Combi.

Thanks for that. The Ultrastore system has been working fine without it on so I guess I'll just leave it switched off!

My frost heater switch was next to ultrastore controls on wardrobe wall.

Thanks Paul. I don't think there is a Frost Heater fitted. I have all of the original paperwork and manuals for the van and the fitted equipment and there is no mention of a frost heater. There is nothing next to the controls  on the wardrobe wall. It seems a bit strange that they would fit a 12 volt switch that seems to be superfluous but I am happy to be guided by people with more experience than me. Regards. Bernie

I have no idea what it is but why dont you send the picture to Auto Sleeper and ask them, I can see that they still have them for sale in the Spares Catalogue 
David

Thanks David. 
I'll do that. 
Regards. 
Bernie

Thanks Peter. I have just re-read your first answer and can see exactly what you mean and this ties in with the comment from Paulmold. It makes much more sense now. I'll take a look at the tank. Regards. Bernie

AS do seem to put the tank heater switches in funny places. On my Broadway I have one above the habitation door and the other inside the locker near the battery. Can’t remember which is waste and which is fresh water. I used them once to test them out. They are dc and take a lot of power and unfortunately I disconnected the EHU and accidentally left the switches on resulting in a large fuse (in the box behind the driver’s seat) blowing and causing the control panel to black out. Fortunately it was due to go for an inspection service - it took the electrician quite a while to trace the fault.

This may partially confirm other comments
My early 2008 Nuevo ES 'van' is the same as your picture except colours and I don't have a switch anywhere near yours.
My guess it was an extra or a retrofitted item.
To confirm - I have 2 original mains power switches in the back of the wardrobe for mains water and space heating.

I still haven't worked out a need for warm waste water . . . .

gassygassy wrote:I still haven't worked out a need for warm waste water . . . .

Better than a solid lump of waste water! 

Solid lumps of waste are in a different tank! Hopefully.

it takes a prolonged period of very cold weather to freeze a large tank of water....
on the fresh water system, far more vulnerable would be the shorter run of pipe that connects the outside tank to the water pump...when primed its full of water but partially exposed to the cold.
on the waste side, the dodgy area is the pipe from the tank to the waste outlet, as it holds water when that outlet is closed..
if its left open to drain, as many do in winter, the waste tank will be empty and (definitely) wont need heating.
I dont see the value of these heat pads...David v Goliath when looking to raise/maintain the temp of a large tank of water.
far better 'winterisation' is to have the fresh tank (and associated pipework) inboard, in the warm.

I thought that the waste tank heater on my Nuevo can only be a salesman' s "Ooh look at all the fancy things this camper has got. You can even keep the waste water tank above freezing in winter". It would be a lot more useful to have washroom and bedside light switches where you can use them. Why spend money on a waste water heater when you can't find the ceiling light switch in the middle of the night?
I'm with Chris, I leave my waste tank open to drain, unless I am on a posh free French Aire where each bay surrounded by hedges is tarmaced flat and they provide a waste emptying drainage place. If you remember in 1976 we were urged to water our gardens with bath water and kitchen washing up water so I see nothing wrong with allowing it to dribble out of your waste tank on to grass. So long of course that you DON'T leave it closed while you are on site and then dump it all in one go as you leave, ready for the next occupant to squelch in.