Phantom switch

[tweir]

In the dining room of the 'ol 3685 on the rear wall adjacent to the bathroom in the slide, is a "conventional" light switch. What this switch operates, I have no idea...! One of the switches on the same wall (flat rocker switch) operates the ceiling fan; but the "phantom switch" has me puzzled. I was thinking maybe it was for the light in the ceiling fan, but nope, it does not operate it---unless of course, the switch is not hooked up or...! Any ideas?

[stiles watson]

I found a "phantom" switch in the ceiling of my closet. Turns out, it was not an on/off switch, it was an A/B switch. It toggled between the second air conditioner and the washer and dryer. Both were on the same 15 amp circuit. So you might check to see if it toggles anything.

[Bob & Lee]

My 5er has two switches also the flat one is the fan light an the one that is like a regular 110 switch is for the fireplace.

[tweir]

I only have one A/C---but I think Bob & Lee answered my question. I'll check it out on my "pre-trip" inspection before we head for the desert next weekend. Thanks...

[faeb and genb]

I have a flat switch in our dining area & it will work the 110 V ceiling light , but you can turn it off aon the light itself.
Gene

[kdeiss]

I also have switch and it also operates the AC fixture above the table. I think this is the switch in ?

[Parrothead]

Does the light in your ceiling fan work at all? Ours was missing a light bulb. In the 3400 the big rocker switch operates the ceiling fan light. And then we have three 12V switches in the same area. One is the outdoor light (amber by the door) and one is the overheads in the kitchen dining area and the other is the "scare" light outside. It took us a day or two to figure them all out and a bit of running in and out.

[tweir]

The big flat switch operates the fan. You have to pull the "on" chain for the light however. I think the way it should have been wired was to have the switch activate the light and the pull chain operate the fan---just a "consumer preference".

[sreigle]

Thomas, ours is a different model but operates as you'd prefer it - the big flat switch operates the light and the chain operates the fan independently of the light switch.

[Bowie]

Ditto for ours.

[Dental Floss Tycoon]

Ditto Ditto for ours.

On another note Thomas, how does the 2500 HD 8.1 tow the 3685FL?

[tweir]

George & Janet,
The truck tows the B-n-B really well. I have airlifts on the rear so I adjust the back of the truck to "dead level" before each trip----really makes a difference, at least to me at any rate. I've had no real problems with either unit EXCEPT yesterday on the way to work---the crankshaft sensor deceided to fail; like somebody shut off the key. I'll pick up the truck after work---its fixed...!

[Montana_1683]

Our 2005 3295rk has a "phantom switch" that changes useage of the convection/microwave oven & the fireplace. Can only use one or the other not both at the same time.


Gary

[Dental Floss Tycoon]

Thanks Thomas,

I'm kind of toying with the idea of getting the 8.1 instead of the diesel just to save a few $. The truck won't be my daily driver and I don't plan on towing much more than three or four times a year.

[tweir]

George & Janet,
The 8.1 has some power----no doubt about it. I "fixed" my truck---added air lifts in the rear and 265 tires in lieu of the 245's---wanted to spread out the hitch weight over a little larger footprint. I was toying with the idea of going diesel real soon---want to add another 50 or 60 gallon fuel tank, but in California the only tanks that are approved are for diesel. Gosh, I hate to trade-off my truck---the dealers really de-value the units and I'll be darned if I'll "give it away" to them.

[kdeiss]

quote:Originally posted by Dental Floss Tycoon

Thanks Thomas,

I'm kind of toying with the idea of getting the 8.1 instead of the diesel just to save a few $. The truck won't be my daily driver and I don't plan on towing much more than three or four times a year.

George, I have an 8.1 and love it.It is not my daily driver I just use it towing 4-5 times a year.Their are advantages to a gasser.

[DrivesBGM]

quote:Originally posted by tweir

... I was toying with the idea of going diesel real soon---want to add another 50 or 60 gallon fuel tank, but in California the only tanks that are approved are for diesel...

I also have the 8.1. It pulls great but sucks the gas. (I don't think that the truck needs a radiator as it is "gas cooled! )

When I go out on an extended trip to unknown territory, I carry two 5 gallon gas cans. I store the cans in a locked storage chest in the bed of the truck. In my travels, I have only used one of the cans once for the truck. I also use the gas for a Yamaha 2800i that I carry when boondocking.

My point is that I also considered adding an extra tank but hesitated due to the cost and trouble of getting it installed. So far my two 5 gallon cans have served me well. (Oh and to keep the gas fresh, I rotate the old gas to the lawn mowers or pour it into the trucks gas tank just so I can get some fresh gas to carry.)

Craig

[sreigle]

Craig, a little Stabil in those cans and that gas will stay fresh for a very long time. I used to do that with my lawnmower and snowblower gas cans and would keep the gas up to a year or so and they ran just fine on it. A little stabil in the mower/blower gas tank and I didn't have to drain them for offseason because the gas didn't evaporate.

[Dental Floss Tycoon]

Thanks everyone for the great info. With the price of gas here in Ontario (this morning it's .77/liter or about $3.00/gallon) I won't be driving the truck very much, so gas mileage isn't really a concern. I might even have to put some Stabil in between trips!

I'm leaning toward the gasser. Anyone have any thoughts about the new Ford HD with the V-10?

[sreigle]

George and Janet, the '05 models have much improved frontend (at least on the 4x4 not sure about 4x2) and frame. Towing, GVWR, GCWR all vastly increased. You can get an F350 V10 rated to tow up to 17,000 with GCWR of 23,500. The F250's are just a little lower but not much. We had a '99 F350 V10 and towed this same Montana with it. I'd recommend it to anyone wanting a gasser. It does like it's fuel, though. Don't expect great mileage. We averaged 8.2 towing, 11-12 solo in town, 14 and occasionally 15 solo on the highway (70-75mph). But those engines last a very long time. We traded for diesel at 69k miles and had one emissions sensor go bad at 68k miles and that is the only time that truck was ever in the shop for other than fluid changes.

The '05s ride is improved, too.