Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Installing a open bay door alert (Read 897 times) previous topic - next topic

Installing a open bay door alert

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
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired

Re: Installing a open bay door alert

Reply #1 –
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.
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: Installing a open bay door alert

Reply #2 –
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.
Chuck Wiggy
Coloma, Wisconsin
Sold my 1999 U 320 40 Ft. M11 450 hp
Build # 5468
2009 Silverado

Re: Installing a open bay door alert

Reply #4 –
I like mercury switches but don't know if they're still available due to environmental concerns.
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: Installing a open bay door alert

Reply #5 –
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.

Re: Installing a open bay door alert

Reply #6 –
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,
Pat/Blue Angel
1995 U240 36ft
MC# 16511
Build# 4653

Re: Installing a open bay door alert

Reply #7 –

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

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Installing a open bay door alert

Reply #8 –
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

Re: Installing a open bay door alert

Reply #9 –
Pics of bay and dash switches

Re: Installing a open bay door alert

Reply #10 –
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
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Installing a open bay door alert

Reply #11 –
Quote
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.

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
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Installing a open bay door alert

Reply #12 –
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.
Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
no longer 1999 36' U320 build #5522
2013 Rzr 570 & 2018 Ranger XP1000
2006 Lexus GX470
2011 Tahoe LT 4x4
Previous 1998 45' 2 slide Newell, 1993 39' Newell

Re: Installing a open bay door alert

Reply #13 –
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
Frank & Daisy
NO LONGER  "looking for the perfect Foretravel
36' or less non slide preferred."  She has been found and is ours.
2003 U320 36' non slide  Unit 6103
Cummins ISM 450
Allison 4000MH

Re: Installing a open bay door alert

Reply #14 –
Quote from: John Morales –
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 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 
Greg & Cathy
2000 U320 4010 DGFE Build #5650
Had: 1999 Tradewinds 7370

Re: Installing a open bay door alert

Reply #15 –
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

Re: Installing a open bay door alert

Reply #16 –
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.

1999 U270 40 #5518
USN. USPS.

Re: Installing a open bay door alert

Reply #17 –
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 😂
 

Re: Installing a open bay door alert

Reply #18 –
Quote from: DavidS –
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..


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  ::)
Ed and Michele
2000 U295  36'  (Build #5600)
8.3 ISC 350HP.
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Toad)
2001 Lance Truck Camper (Sold)
2001 Lazy Daze (Class C). RK Floor Plan (Sold)