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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Don & Tys on December 01, 2011, 01:23:39 am

Title: Aux lights on 99' U270
Post by: Don & Tys on December 01, 2011, 01:23:39 am
Not exactly a secret switch, but the Aux Light switch between the docking lamp switches doesn't seem to do anything. Where are the Aux Lights? Inside? Outside?
Thanks!
Don
Title: Re: Aux lights on 99' U270
Post by: amos.harrison on December 01, 2011, 07:15:16 am
Fog lights.  They don't work unless the headlight switch is on.
Title: Re: Aux lights on 99' U270
Post by: J. D. Stevens on December 01, 2011, 09:29:04 am
I did a bit of rewiring for the auxiliary lamps. The lights now come on when the ignition switch is "On" and the "Aux Light" switch is "On." I now leave the "Aux Light" switch in the "On" position almost all of the time. I like to have some active lights on the front of the bus in order to be seen more easily. I prefer not to run headlights and marker lamps all of the time.

The rewiring required a couple of butt splices, a couple of spade lugs, and some labels to provide clues regarding the modification.
Title: Re: Aux lights on 99' U270
Post by: kenhat on December 01, 2011, 10:35:27 am
Good tip J.D. I was considering modifying the the headlight circuit so that I could just turn on the headlights without the running lights but like this idea much better. I just added that mod to my ToDo list! (I'm giving you a karma bump for that!)

see ya
ken
Title: Re: Aux lights on 99' U270
Post by: J. D. Stevens on December 01, 2011, 11:09:21 am
Ken,

The aux lights were originally wired to use the headlight circuit as the source for power. I changed the source to a 12VDC circuit that is hot whenever the ignition switch is on. I don't remember more details than that.

I was pretty straightforward. I did put labels on the wires indicating what had been changed. Labels are great for folk like me who have short memories.  ;)
Title: Re: Aux lights on 99' U270
Post by: kenhat on December 01, 2011, 11:44:07 am
Labels are also good for the next owner or for that high school kid at CampingWorld that's trying to figure out where to tap in to power whatever doodad you just bought!

see ya
ken 
Title: Re: Aux lights on 99' U270
Post by: Peter & Beth on December 01, 2011, 11:46:24 am
J.D.,
Did you have to change the circuit now tapped to the Aux lights?  Or, did you add a relay or in-line breaker?
Title: Re: Aux lights on 99' U270
Post by: Don & Tys on December 01, 2011, 12:18:54 pm
Mystery solved! Thanks!
Don
Fog lights.  They don't work unless the headlight switch is on.
Title: Re: Aux lights on 99' U270
Post by: Don & Tys on December 01, 2011, 12:20:57 pm
I do like that idea! The project list grows... :)
Don
I did a bit of rewiring for the auxiliary lamps. The lights now come on when the ignition switch is "On" and the "Aux Light" switch is "On." I now leave the "Aux Light" switch in the "On" position almost all of the time. I like to have some active lights on the front of the bus in order to be seen more easily. I prefer not to run headlights and marker lamps all of the time.

The rewiring required a couple of butt splices, a couple of spade lugs, and some labels to provide clues regarding the modification.
Title: Re: Aux lights on 99' U270
Post by: J. D. Stevens on December 01, 2011, 02:45:33 pm
J.D.,
Did you have to change the circuit now tapped to the Aux lights?  Or, did you add a relay or in-line breaker?
I disconnected wire 20B from "Aux Light" switch. That was the power feed from the headlight switch. I ran a new connection from wire 5, to the former "20B" connection point on the "Aux Light" switch. The circuit for wire 5 has several spades available since it supplies power to switches, gauges, and the Warning Bar. Wire 5 has a circuit breaker, and is powered when the ignition switch is on. The "Aux Light" switch powers a relay for the fog/auxiliary lights. The higher current for the lights is supplied via wire 89 which is protected by an appropriate circuit breaker.

The change is relatively simple and leaves all circuits protected by OEM circuit breakers and relays. I supplied the power to the "Aux Light" switch from a difference circuit. The wire numbers are for a 1997 U295. I got the information from drawing B-2197 and a wire list dated 12/28/95.