One Switch for fireplace and micro/oven combo?

[syplace]

Our new Montana has one switch to turn on the fireplace or micro/oven.
Both can not be used at same time. Asked about that at time of inspection and they said it was a built in safety feature. Didn't think about it at the time, but it is really annoying. The microwave clock has to be set or it can't be used and of course when one turns it off the clock has to be reset when put back in use. Only alternative is to not use the fireplace at all! Does anyone else have this system? Also, when the microwave is in use it makes an awful sound...like nails across a blackboard. I don't think this is normal even for a microwave/combo oven! Any recommendations or suggestions would be helpful.

[Bill and Ann]

We have the same setup as you do with the switch for the oven and fireplace. You are right. It is a pain. I am wondering if I couldn't rewire it to the spare breaker in the panel. I am going to ask when we have the factory tour in IN.
I am going to keep monitoring this site to see if someone else can solve the problem.(pain)

[NJ Hillbilly]

I don't know how accessable the breaker panel is to the rear of the fireplace (hopefully in the same cabinet or row of cabinets) but running a wire from the panel to the frequently unused front a/c breaker will solve the problem. I used the circuit for a single receptacle that I use for the toaster oven that I keep inside my regular oven or I plug an electric heater into it. This way I can use them without overloading another curcuit.

Even if that circuit is used the wire can be run into a junction box and the fireplace (or micro) can run off it as long as they aren't both used at the same time. I would reccomend linking the fireplace to it since there really is a slim chance of running the fireplace for heat along with a second a/c unit (that is unless one person is hot up front and another is cold in the living room ...HA!).

John

[Northstar]

Good question to ask Keystone. Keep us posted. Happyrving....

[Ishler]

I have the same switch on our 2005 3670. I re-wired it so I can have both powered or disable the fireplace. I just told Donna that we don't run the heat and the microwave at the same time. It would be nice to run an additional circuit but I don't forsee a lot of need to run both at the same time.

[Montana_1280]

Glad someone finally brought this to forum. It is very annoying. Will plan to do some rewiring also. You really have to wonder why things are done the way they are at times.

[Bill and Ann]

Since my earlier post I have now also rewired my switch so the microwave is live all the time and the fireplace is on the switch. I reversed the wiring on the switch so it is up when the fireplace is on.

[tollmann]

Boy am I glad that I am not the only one with this neat wiring system. What makes it really annoying is that we elected NOT to have a fireplace. We got the switch anyway!! I just hard wired the microwave and now the switch is just a conversation piece.

[Montana_621]

We had the fireplace added at the dealership when we bought our Montana. It's not wired with the microwave because I can use both at the same time. So, since the dealership did it and they are liable if something happens (and it hasn't in 4 months) it is possible to do it and not be worried. We use the fireplace ALL the time (it's cold here in MN) and of course the microwave. Not a problem.