Anyone do this? If so how? Want a led light to come on if a bvb at door opens going down the road, one for each side. Guess I could use small switches one the doors wired in parallel with a led light on the dash area. Last trip we had a door open twice. Couldn't see it in the mirror.
Thanks,
Bob
Bob
I know what you mean. I had a door open in our coach while going down the highway. Didn't notice it till someone flagged us. I ended up adjusting the locks.
Your bay doors already have switches for the bay lights. You can tap into those and use a relay that energizes when the coach is running it would complete a circuit for a LED or an alarm. When the coach is off the circuit is open. I believe those switches complete the 12v power to the light when the door is open.
John M.
I have had the same issue on a couple occasions. I had lubed, adjusted,etc. etc. but still would pop open...I have found that during my pretrip or immediately after closing a compartment I stop at each bay door and put my foot just below each corner of the doors and push in with my shin. Many times you will hear the bottom catch click and the latch closes. The doors may have appeared to have closed properly the first time but I have found that is definitely not the case. Since practicing this ritual I have not had any bay doors pop open on me in 4 months.
Try a rolling ball tilt switch
RB-231X2 C&K | Sensors, Transducers | DigiKey (https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/c-k/RB-231X2/CKN10375-ND/2747174)
I like mercury switches but don't know if they're still available due to environmental concerns.
Mercury switches are easily available but I'm not sure that they're suited to a moving environment
in that they're fluid and pretty sensitive.
Magnetic switch is best, no intermittent switch bounce. Buy cheep home burglar alarm, comes with mag switches(battery powered wireless) and control will usually work on 110vac transformed to dc voltage.
Pat,
I thought about magnetic proximity switches (they are on almost every interior door in our coach controlling inside of the cabinet lights) but think they might not works so well with all of the metal framing in the doors and nearby, but they are worth a try. I have some on hand and was going to replace all of the mechanical switches on the doors
Or use a bullet pin switch.
Amazon.com: PARTS EXPRESS 2" Adjustable Pin Switch: Automotive (https://www.amazon.com/Parts-Express-Adjustable-Pin-Switch/dp/B0002ZPBHU)
I'm trying something different. On the front bays on both sides I installed electromagnets. I put them in place of the o.e. latches. Front on each side are wired to house battery and rears are wired to coach battery. Put rocker switches on the dash. One latch takes more pull to overcome by hand then I would like to put on the door. If it works out well I will do the rest of the doors. Those switches will be in the front bay on each side. Pics to follow
Pics of bay and dash switches
Farmerstu, interesting project for sure, but I just wanted to mention something I see wrong with you door seal. It isseperated at the corner and as right next to it there is a gap in the framing so you should repair thatseal and it looks like it was allowing road dirt etc into that propane bay floor area and on foretravels that is an area that should be clean allthe time. Water getting in will ultimately get to the frame work and that is not good.
JohnH
One time a few years ago I was in the Foretravel lot and had a guy from Extreme come over to give me an estimate. During his inspection I opened one of the compartment doors. When I closed it I put my knee on the corner and it clicked into place. The Extreme guy said, "Ahhhh... the Foretravel bump."
Really enjoy these creative solutions that some are coming up with.
jor
Haha, usually when we take a trip after a few days I notice these sore spots on my lower legs. Took me a few trips to realize why.
That's how I was taught when we bought the coach, the Foretravel bump.
I adjusted my doors because they were out of line with each other and the body of the coach.
No issues so far
I like Johns idea, but put a 3A 50PIV silicon diode on the switched 12V side of each of the bay light switches. That is, connect the anode side of the diode to the same terminals that feed the bay lights. The cathode side of all the diodes will connect to a common buss that you can directly run a 12V alarm from. You really don't need a relay, so long as your alarm doesn't draw more current than a couple of Amps. A LED and/or piezoelectric buzzer should be well below that.
The reason for the diodes is so all of the bay lights don't come on when you open one bay door.
Greg
I usually get the lights and a horn from the guy next to me.. hands waving and pointing to the rear... had it happen a couple times in the 4 years..
I was thinking an easy fix is to take a couple ratchet straps around the rv and get both doors on each side at the same time.. .. Thought better of it as it might scratch the paint.. :))
Good idea though.. maybe a dash light or if you really get fancy .. bluetooth.
Now I just walk the coach before I leave anywhere and do the Foretravel shuffle with my leg against each side of each door.. has worked so far
Maybe for us less electronic capable.
A manual external latching system. My first idea is a color correct strap with a simple positive latching system. First drawback is the low position required to latch. "Ankle height"
Then there is the idea of adding a system like used for landing gear in aircraft. Which is what I think we are trying to setup. Simple light string on dash. Go or no go.
Guess you could go the "remote" route...... send the wife out their... not recommended without 1st a hard head and secondly if you want to stay happily married... on a side note.. really hard for her to complain when she is out of breath from chasing you 😂
That's it! An easy fix without mods to the doors. All you need to do is pace your speed and always have another vehicle along side of you. Speed up, if they speed up, and slow down if they slow down. However I suspect that most of the pointing will be directed at you using the middle finger. :D ;D ::)