Added switch to control solenoid draw on Tab 2023 Boondock CSS

skibug

I did this mod last year and it has worked out well for us so far. The CSS has a solenoid that is activated by a plunger switch when the back hatch is open. This solenoid will allow propane to flow to the stove. The solenoid is a pretty hefty power draw ~ 13W. A number of folks posted various mods using mechanical devices such as garden hose pieces to disable the plunger switch when the hatch is open and they don't want to use the the stove.

I decided to add a switch in line with the plunger switch so that both need to be on in order for gas to flow. I wanted a lighted switch so it would be a good visual reminder that gas was flowing. I used this switch from Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CF4L549N?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I placed the switch in the left corner of the galley -

The wood is piece is too thick to use the retaining nut that came with the switch so I have a press fit. On our trailer the purple and white wire supplies power to the plunger switch. The punger switch wires are thin and black. Not the greatest photo but this is what my wiring looks like -

The power/batttery wire needs to go to the middle terminal (red wire). The plunger switch wire goes to the top terminal (yellow). I ran a dedicated wire to the ground bar under the driver side bench. It was easy to run the write down the chase and through the conduit that runs back under the bench. I probably could have picked up a ground in the chase somewhere, but did not want to mess with existing wiring.

This mod allows us to leave the back hatch open and not draw power unless we want to cook in which case we turn the switch on.