Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Benjie Zeller on January 12, 2012, 01:05:46 pm

Title: Broken Red Wire
Post by: Benjie Zeller on January 12, 2012, 01:05:46 pm
Was messing around in the coach the other day and discovered this broken wire.  I'm curious if anyone knows what it does?  This is the kick panel with the Porch, Step, and Interior light switch.  Seems to tie the Porch and Interior light switch together in some fashion?  I did notice the other day the Porch and entry handle light ON when I was parked under a large shade tree and the Porch switch was not in the ON position.  Do these things have some sort of light sensor that turns them on automatically?
Title: Re: Broken Red Wire
Post by: Barry Beam on January 12, 2012, 01:13:06 pm
Was messing around in the coach the other day and discovered this broken wire.  I'm curious if anyone knows what it does?  This is the kick panel with the Porch, Step, and Interior light switch.  Seems to tie the Porch and Interior light switch together in some fashion?  I did notice the other day the Porch and entry handle light ON when I was parked under a large shade tree and the Porch switch was not in the ON position.  Do these things have some sort of light sensor that turns them on automatically?

I think that is for the green LED light on the right.
Title: Re: Broken Red Wire
Post by: Benjie Zeller on January 12, 2012, 01:24:09 pm
LOL! I hadn't thought of that. I don't remember if it was on or not! Will have to check next time.
Title: Re: Broken Red Wire
Post by: Peter & Beth on January 12, 2012, 02:27:20 pm
Do these things have some sort of light sensor that turns them on automatically?
Not sure about the U295 models.  I know for sure on the U270 model the side handle is not touch sensitive.  Your handle may have the feature that when touched, it will turn it and the porch light on?
Title: Re: Broken Red Wire
Post by: J. D. Stevens on January 12, 2012, 02:43:37 pm
...  I did notice the other day the Porch and entry handle light ON when I was parked under a large shade tree and the Porch switch was not in the ON position.  Do these things have some sort of light sensor that turns them on automatically?
On our 1997 U295, the porch and handle light will illuminate for about one minute if you touch the metal bracket at the lower end of the "Foretravel" handle. It will also illuminate if water hits it. The light came on several times when I was washing and rinsing the area around the handle.

The temporary illumination is very useful to help find find the right key as I fumble with my keys when returning to the coach at night.
Title: Re: Broken Red Wire
Post by: Gary Bouland (RIP) on January 12, 2012, 03:48:50 pm
Benjie, Not real sure where  the sensor module  for the porch light is on a 295. On a 280 it is in the right bay attached to the roof of the bay, little black box.  I ASSUME that if you find such a device in yours that you do have the touch handle.
Gary B
Title: Re: Broken Red Wire
Post by: Benjie Zeller on January 12, 2012, 10:57:21 pm
It's turning on at weird times so I'm hoping that's the explanation! I'm assuming this works even with the porch switch off?

Best Regards,
Benjie

Benjie Zeller
(512) 587-4628
Title: Re: Broken Red Wire
Post by: J. D. Stevens on January 12, 2012, 11:47:56 pm
Yes, it works with the porch light switch turned off. You may have moisture inside the bottom handle mount. You might want to remove the fitting, clean the area, put a bit of dielectric grease on the socket for the bulb, and on the connections. I think I used a bit of silicone caulk to seal the area.

When we got our coach, the bulb in the handle was missing and the outside switch for the porch light would not work. Fresh bulbs, WD-40, dielectric grease, exercise, and some cleaning and sealing fixed things up.

Michelle revealed that the light that came on at unexpected times was a feature rather than a bug. I found that the magic light was sensitive to touch on the lower metal fitting. It works as expected now.

I expect you will be able to fix things up and use the magic light to your advantage. It's a fun "show off" gimmick as well.  ;)

On our coach, the LED on the momentary contact toggle switch near the entry door stays illuminated any time the 12VDC house power is on. It makes it easy to find the switch to turn on the "living room" lamp when you enter the coach.
Title: Re: Broken Red Wire
Post by: Dwayne on January 12, 2012, 11:49:12 pm
i'm still not sure how mine works.  The switch doesn't seem to do much for mine.  It activates with water spray and by touching the base.  Turning it on and off twice seems to turn the light on and keep it on.  Doing it again seems to turn it off and keep it off.  Not sure what difference between just on or just off does.  Very confusing.