After finding water in the frame under the step I decided to do the mod to keep the step closed with the ignition off. Followed Barry's great write-up from over at the wiki ( Modify outside air step wiring to allow step to retract when ignition is off... (https://wiki.foreforums.com/doku.php?id=house:steps:modifyairstepwiring) ).
On this rig, for some reason, the "interior light" rocker on your right as you enter was disabled. Anyhow, I used that hole to mount my new switch. Changed out the little magnetic door switch too to better match the black tile.
Here's a few photos. On this rig (97 270) the needed wire is C11 and I used fuse position #55 for the hot wire to the switch.
The photo of the schematic is from my laminated blowup of the 8 1/2 x 11 that comes in our books. Another great idea from a forum member. Come to think of it, knocking off great forum ideas is the way to go!
jor
Thanks for saving me time on the install as it is on the list.
Jot...if you can, let us know if you notice (from Barrys writeup)
"It will be another small constant draw on the house battery when ignition is off and switch is in modified position."
Thanks
Randy
The Norgren valve V61R517AA312JB actuator uses 2 watts. At 12.5 volts that is 0.16 amps.
https://datasheet.octopart.com/V61R517A-A312JB-Norgren-datasheet-62136877.pdf
Not safe to have step up ignition off. If someone is injured modifying a factory safety system would make you personally libel in my opinion
The mod only lets the step stay up if the door is closed. Not sure how an injury could take place.
We have the Xtreme step conversion and I installed a switch so that the steps will stay closed when the switch is in the up position while the door is closed, key on or off. Anytime the door opens (and there is battery power available), the steps come out regardless of the ignition key position. This is how I leave it while the coach is in storage. When we are traveling and staying close to the coach (not leaving for the day), I put the switch in the down position which leaves the steps extended while the door is closed, unless the ignition key is on. To me, this mode of operation is the only way that makes sense. No matter what, since the steps operate off of the chassis battery, if the ignition key is on the steps will be retracted while the door is closed and extended while door is open. So there is no situation where someone will open the door and attempt to exit on while the stairs are retracted, unless of course the steps have malfunctioned. The steps staying in while the door is closed and the coach is parked or in storage helps keep the slides cleaner and saves on wear and tear from grit getting in the slides. I also flip the switch to keep the steps in when we are in the coach for the night or in wet conditions. Why not? They will extend when we open the door. They extend fast enough so that even a brisk egress won't beat the steps extension. If you really hurry, you can step on them just before they are fully extended, but that feels no different than getting on an escalator 8), but it is a short ride because they are already three quarters of the way out by the time you can plant your feet on the top step. I am never in that much of a hurry though... Anyway, I prefer not to stress the step slide mechanism by putting weight on them while steps are in transition.
Don
We (Xtreme) put in the same step that Don has mainly for safety reasons. In the first couple years we owned the coach we knew three people who missed the fold down step getting out of the coach, two broke bones. The Kwikee steps are a huge improvement. We are still careful exiting the coach. You never know what will be waiting for you. This fellow was all curled up on the small rug at the bottom of the steps.
If you open the door, any steps should be down/extended.
OK Roger, where & when?????????????
Larry
If some of the Forum's GV owners are reading this thread and thinking "I wish I could do that"...well, you can! This modification can be also done on the GV bottom "air" step. It will work exactly like Don described in his post above. The only caveat: you must maintain at least 60-70 psi air pressure. Once the system air pressure goes below that, the step no longer works (but you already knew that).
See the post linked below for the simple method of modding your GV step behavior. Ignore all the stuff I wrote in the earlier posts in that thread (about modifying the air lines/valves that operate the step). I was obviously over-medicated...
GV (Unihome) Air Step Mod (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=28607.msg239470#msg239470)