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Topic: Door Bell (Read 1095 times) previous topic - next topic

Door Bell

Happened to notice today that the door bell quit working. Looked great inside but when I popped off the button - whoa! What a mess! I can see why FT went to wireless. Anyhow, I wired up a new one with crimp terminals. The factory used the stripped wire ends to attach but there is very little wire available so I figured the terminals would be better for future issues. I coated the back of the deal with heavy duty Corrosion X and sealed it with silicone. Also added a 1amp in line fuse inside.

Anyhow, anyone with a wired doorbell might want to check it out.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Door Bell

Reply #1 –
John..

where is the "box" located that you added the inline fuse.??

Hans

Hans & Marjet
1995 U300 "Ben" (#4719)
3176B Cat,4060HD,Jake
SKP#139131
Motorcade#17579
2006 Honda Element (towed)

Re: Door Bell

Reply #2 –
Quote
where is the "box" located
It's in the upper cabinet to your left as you enter the coach. Looks like this.Wood cover pulls right off.
jor

93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Door Bell

Reply #3 –
I just pulled mine out. If I need one I'll put a wireless one in. It was big, bulky and a possible fire hazard.

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Door Bell

Reply #4 –
Amen! Our doorbell had a serious issue (under the PO) that caused a small scorched area on the headliner adjacent to the bell assembly after the gong stuck. The heat appears to have become significant enough to ignite. The damage was luckily minimal. The work-around solution disabled the power to the bell/switch. A "custom" wooden atlas storage box was installed over the melted headliner area.

The coach could have been toast. Fuse seems like a really great idea. Fuse good--Fire bad!

Paul


Paul & Kathleen
1995 U320c SE 40'
Build 4681 --Cummins M11 /17511
"That Irish Girl"
Red MINI " 40"

Re: Door Bell

Reply #5 –
jor,

Excellent pics and thanks for the reminder for those of us who have this type of doorbell.  Mine was corroded and non-functional so I replaced it and also added a 1 amp fuse to the power supply lead inside the chime after learning about the fire hazard and easy fix from other members.  If the button gets stuck on, a potential fire hazard can result.  Tested the fuse by holding the button in until it blew.  They must have missed this one at the factory. 

I replaced the button with a Heath/Zenith #455G-B  http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1396089  about 3 years ago.  The button stays lit and has has worked fine ever since.  I also used some dielectric grease and clear silicone for water proofing.

Jerry
The selected media item is not currently available.
Jerry and Cindy Maddux
1993 U300/36WTBI DD6v92TA
build 4271  "Miss Lou"
1995 suzuki sidekick 4x4 toad
Gulfport, Ms

"Pride of Ownership"

Re: Door Bell

Reply #6 –
I've had a wireless doorbell on our coach for three years now and ONCE, just ONCE, has anyone used it. The button is right next to the lighted handle so it isn't easily missed. Guess people just aren't used to seeing/using a doorbell on a coach.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Door Bell

Reply #7 –
Door Bell not working and my nice handle broke the other day . But for some reason the light over the door and my now broken handle lights up for no reason from time to time!!!    >:(
1992 U300 Anniversary Edition wrong color DDC6v92T Big step up from my 1983 35' fc Blue Bird .

Re: Door Bell

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Steve –
^.^d 

Good job, I don't think those original ones had a fuse which could lead to a serious problem if the door bell button sticks.  This can cause the gong operating coil to overheat and potentially cause a fire.  There are a few pics of doorbell related fires on the site so adding a fuse was a must.
Steve
Where is your power supply ( box ) located ?
Jimmy
2003 U295 3620

Re: Door Bell

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Jimmyjnr –
Steve
Where is your power supply ( box ) located ?

Ours is battery-operated, D-cells (IIRC), first upper cabinet above the passenger seat (not the one above the door).  Look for a plastic box mounted on the forward sidewall of that cabinet.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Door Bell

Reply #10 –
Our doorbell was destroyed in a previous life. Looked like a bit of excess current at some time in the past. I replaced the button but have as yet to find a suitable non wireless replacement.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Door Bell

Reply #11 –
Quote from: lovetogo –
Door Bell not working and my nice handle broke the other day . But for some reason the light over the door and my now broken handle lights up for no reason from time to time!!!    >:(
 
Lots of old posts related to this. Use the search to find.  Put "door handle light" in the search and you can read up on the touch handle feature.

I put a toggle switch inside the rig to insure that the lights don't come on if something goes wrong with the touch/turn-on system. I keep all the power to the system "off" unless I am going out. If the lights come on and leave the coach for an extended period the batteries will go down.


Good luck,
Rick

Re: Door Bell

Reply #12 –
After the PO worked very hard to fix it, I disabled the doorbell.  Why?  Because I hate doorbells - they always ring at inopportune times.

I was thinking it might be fun to affix a humorous decal over the now inoperative exterior button.

One of these might work:
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Door Bell

Reply #13 –
Had this little issue on my fix-it list til a few days ago when I had a little conversation/consultation with one of my favortie FT gurus, who 'splained to me the history of FT door bells...not a particularly successful one overall...decided this wasn't to be on the list after all....+ being a big napper/day sleeper, being awakened for any reason (unless maybe the coach is on fire) is not acceptable....will use a similar sign to cover my bell button. (no, not my belly button!)  :o 

Re: Door Bell

Reply #14 –
Miz Dani,

I just moved the horn switch to my door bell with a delay. The little Hadley air horns are pointed toward the switch/doorbell now. Trick or treat! Honk.

Paul
Paul & Kathleen
1995 U320c SE 40'
Build 4681 --Cummins M11 /17511
"That Irish Girl"
Red MINI " 40"

Re: Door Bell

Reply #15 –
 >:D  ....you're kidding, right???  ....brilliant!!!           

Re: Door Bell

Reply #16 –
Quote from: Old Knucklehead –
Miz Dani,

I just moved the horn switch to my door bell with a delay. The little Hadley air horns are pointed toward the switch/doorbell now. Trick or treat! Honk.

Paul
Thats funny when I read this thread yesterday I thought wouldn't it be fun to put a set of train horns under the entrance step and a sticker above the button that said Do not Push!!
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit
 

Re: Door Bell

Reply #17 –
Maybe a WET PAINT sign right above the button. Bet it would be used all the time then.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD