Porch Light

Topic: Porch Light (Read 1396 times) previous topic - next topic

Porch Light

April 01, 2013, 04:53:58 am

My exterior porch light over the door has not worked since I bought the coach in Feb. There is one switch just inside the door on the right hand wall of the entry step (labelled "Porch") that controls the light in the door handle. Is this also the switch for the overhead light? If so, I'll start troubleshooting by checking the bulbs. If not, I'll start looking for another switch.

Thanks,

Rich

Re: Porch Light

Reply #1 – April 01, 2013, 07:28:59 am

A lot of times it shorts out when water gets in the grab handle. I fixed that and silicones it and it lasted three yrs but just went out again. Will redo it again.

Re: Porch Light

Reply #2 – April 01, 2013, 07:37:25 am

On our coach that switch operates the lighted grab handle and the light over the door. When we bought the coach, neither light worked.

Ours has another switch in the fixture over the door. I pulled the cover off the switch, flooded it with WD-40, and operated it several times. That lights started working.

I disassembled the lighted handle assembly, put in a new bulb, put dielectric grease on the socket and other connections, put some silicone sealant in appropriate places, and reassembled the handle. It has worked well since.

Both lamps light from the switch inside the door. They also light for about a minute at a touch of the bottom metal bracket for the handle, or if water hits the handle.

Re: Porch Light

Reply #3 – April 01, 2013, 11:17:49 am

Rich,
On my coach that switch just inside the door that does the handle and the over-door porch light ALSO controls a light under the step.

Re: Porch Light

Reply #4 – April 01, 2013, 12:53:24 pm

Ditto on mine also.

Richard B.

Re: Porch Light

Reply #5 – April 01, 2013, 01:13:46 pm

I have never had a problem with either switch, but have
had two ballasts go bad. Now using LEDs and all is well.

Re: Porch Light

Reply #6 – April 01, 2013, 02:01:40 pm

What a timely thread for us!
Our light quit, replaced the bulbs and they work, but the ends show dark. Thin-lite tech support says probably ballast.
Also broke the lens in process.
Mfg. has repair/replacement service; $29.50 (19.50 to fix or replace and 10.00 for shipping). That seems like a bargain to me so will send it in today.

Re: Porch Light

Reply #7 – April 01, 2013, 02:27:07 pm

FWIW
I too had trouble with my porch light and grab handle, usually porch light worked ok, the problem was the grab handle light. I took it apart and cleaned it and it worked for a while but then quit again. The next time I went back and cleaned again (had gotten wet and corroded again), but this time I put a lot of just plain ole grease on bulb/socket, and socket base and around where acrylic handle entered the lower metal support. I did not have any of the dielectric in my tools but did have regular grease, and in low voltage conditions, it does not seem to matter much if you were to use regular grease (I did do a search on net before and that is partially why I did that). So far about several months, no issues. It was a little messy as I did a good coating on it but cleans up with paper towels just fine. I am going to change out the porch light to led strip lights soon. I like the idea of less electric draw and hopefully a long life.

Re: Porch Light

Reply #8 – April 01, 2013, 03:24:42 pm

Quote from: Horace B. Cupp – April 01, 2013, 11:17:49 am

Rich,
On my coach that switch just inside the door that does the handle and the over-door porch light ALSO controls a light under the step.

Mine is the same and on that same line is the other light switch next to the porch lite which is on fuse 6. My touch lite control relay located in that map box next to passenger seat is clicking and keeps blowing that fuse 6. I tried removing that map box per John C. excellent instructions Porch light repair and there is no way I can fit my hand in that outlet hole to remove those screws holding the box. I tried using my iphone camera to just get a small peek inside to see what was in there. I can't imagine how they were able to install it without being able to see inside after that small child's hand was in there putting in those screws. I can see why John mentions just ripping it out.

I am trying to figure out if I can cut one of those 3 wires I see coming from the module that maybe goes to the touch sensor to stop it from blowing the fuse and just use the rocker switch to turn it on. I am very close to ripping out the box in a rage $:-\$

Re: Porch Light

Reply #9 – April 01, 2013, 04:35:10 pm

Barry, If that touch lite sensor is similar to mile there are THREE wires to it. On mine a wire goes thru the flat part of the box and is connected to a spade fitting on the circuit board. If you can pull that wire off the spade fitting ( as I did ) it will kill the touch feature.
Gary B

Re: Porch Light

Reply #10 – April 01, 2013, 05:31:15 pm

Quote from: Barry Beam – April 01, 2013, 03:24:42 pm

Mine is the same and on that same line is the other light switch next to the porch lite which is on fuse 6. My touch lite control relay located in that map box next to passenger seat is clicking and keeps blowing that fuse 6. I tried removing that map box per John C. excellent instructions Porch light repair on a 2002 U320 or similar model and there is no way I can fit my hand in that outlet hole to remove those screws holding the box. I tried using my iphone camera to just get a small peek inside to see what was in there. I can't imagine how they were able to install it without being able to see inside after that small child's hand was in there putting in those screws. I can see why John mentions just ripping it out.
I am trying to figure out if I can cut one of those 3 wires I see coming from the module that maybe goes to the touch sensor to stop it from blowing the fuse and just use the rocker switch to turn it on. I am very close to ripping out the box in a rage $:-\$

Or replace the fuse with an automatically resetting circuit breaker.

Re: Porch Light

Reply #11 – April 01, 2013, 05:50:16 pm

Quote from: Gary Bouland – April 01, 2013, 04:35:10 pm

Barry, If that touch lite sensor is similar to mile there are THREE wires to it. On mine a wire goes thru the flat part of the box and is connected to a spade fitting on the circuit board. If you can pull that wire off the spade fitting ( as I did ) it will kill the touch feature.
Gary B

Gary,
I can't really see much more in there as the module is on the bottom.
I see 3 white wires coming up from it on the right side.
I see a blue spade connector on the left side of the photo.
Is that the one you are referring to?

Quote from: Tom Lang – April 01, 2013, 05:31:15 pm

Or replace the fuse with an automatically resetting circuit breaker.

I don't think that would solve the problem. It would just keep tripping the breaker instead of blowing the fuse.

Re: Porch Light

Reply #12 – April 01, 2013, 07:11:14 pm

Barry, That sounds like the same wire. If it is it probably has a spade connector ion it inside the box. By pulling that off you take the touch feature out of the circuit, than porch lite will work from switch at door. Sounds like yours is nearly inaccessible, mine is mounted on the ceiling of the bay.
My problems with the porch lite were resolved when I replaced the rubber gaskets under both upper and lower metal handle mounts.
Gary B

Re: Porch Light

Reply #13 – April 01, 2013, 08:24:56 pm

I don't know if our box is like yours. But we had to get into our box too! The only way we could see to get into it, was to remove the 110 power and a couple of other switches and we used a very thin small, pry bar. Working very slowly to get the front panel off. We eased the staples out of the front panel. TOOK A LONG TIME ! But we were able to get it off and get in there to work. We put the front panel back on using #4 screws and used a black magic marker on the heads to make it blend in. Also we can get back in easier.

Re: Porch Light

Reply #14 – April 01, 2013, 08:46:26 pm

Quote from: ems3135 – April 01, 2013, 08:24:56 pm

I don't know if our box is like yours. But we had to get into our box too! The only way we could see to get into it, was to remove the 110 power and a couple of other switches and we used a very thin small, pry bar. Working very slowly to get the front panel off. We eased the staples out of the front panel. TOOK A LONG TIME ! But we were able to get it off and get in there to work. We put the front panel back on using #4 screws and used a black magic marker on the heads to make it blend in. Also we can get back in easier.

Well Karma to you

It looked like the ends were fastened to the center but I decided to tap the top cup holder piece and it came right off. Just held with a little glue. Then I could see the center piece is inset. And as you said it looks like I can pry it out. I can see where it might break in the middle if you are not slow and careful. Looks like I might be able to wrap this one up now. Thanks

Re: Porch Light

Reply #15 – April 01, 2013, 08:50:57 pm

Boy you are lucky ! Our top had two recessed screws on each side . Was impossible to get to without front off.

Re: Porch Light

Reply #16 – April 01, 2013, 08:58:42 pm

I had the coach out for the license inspection today, and it was starting to get cloudy when we got home. After supper we went out to check on a couple of things, and I turned on the porch light. It lit before, but not today. However, it looked like there was a glow at the handle, so I went out again just now to see. It is quite a bit darker outside, and the glowing handle is quite visible, and very nice.

Re: Porch Light

Reply #17 – April 01, 2013, 08:58:58 pm

I had to replace the touchlite several years ago.

To do this I had to remove the various outlets on the box (I think I just pushed them inside the box, AC vent knob, etc ... But the secret is that entire assembly, cup holders and all, slides straight up and off the mounting.

I know I looked at it for quite a while thinking you had to remove all those screws etc, but in the end there were just a few that needed to be removed and then presto the assembly slides straight up and out of the way.

Sorry I don't have any pictures, this was pre-foforum days

but don't make it more difficult than it really is.

Re: Porch Light

Reply #18 – April 01, 2013, 09:16:49 pm

Quote from: Steve – April 01, 2013, 08:58:58 pm

I had to replace the touchlite several years ago.

To do this I had to remove the various outlets on the box (I think I just pushed them inside the box, AC vent knob, etc ... But the secret is that entire assembly, cup holders and all, slides straight up and off the mounting.

I know I looked at it for quite a while thinking you had to remove all those screws etc, but in the end there were just a few that needed to be removed and then presto the assembly slides straight up and out of the way.

When you say "Just a few" are you referring to the 4 screws inside that John C. mentioned in his write up? What about the one on the floor he mentioned. How did you get your hand in the A/C outlet to get at those screws?

Re: Porch Light

Reply #19 – April 01, 2013, 09:44:05 pm

I honestly don't remember how many there were, but it was not many (4-6?) ... sorry, the most I remember about it was the eureka moment when the entire thing simply slide up off the wall mounts.

I may have used a flexible extension on my screwdriver to get at them (I don't remember a bottom one, but this was 5-6 years ago) but it allows you to get at them even if they are 90 degrees to the screwdriver. If you need to get your hand in there and can't ... maybe Darlene can, call it quality time

Re: Porch Light

Reply #20 – April 01, 2013, 10:09:02 pm

David, all technical talk aside...I just find that to be a really cool photo! Nice work!

Re: Porch Light

Reply #21 – April 01, 2013, 10:25:43 pm

Quote from: Steve – April 01, 2013, 09:44:05 pm

If you need to get your hand in there and can't ... maybe Darlene can, call it quality time

That ship has sailed. She has a different definition of quality time.

Go figure.

Re: Porch Light

Reply #22 – April 02, 2013, 12:51:13 pm

My porch light stop working so I took the bulbs out and went to Lowes and bought bought replacement bulbs, about $15.00 each. Works fine now. Chappell

Re: Porch Light

Reply #23 – April 02, 2013, 03:38:46 pm

Thanks for the replies everyone. I also have the step light and it works. I'll try new bulbs on the over the door light when I get back home in a couple of weeks.

Rich

Affiliate Notice