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Topic: 2003 U295 Doorbell (Read 695 times) previous topic - next topic

2003 U295 Doorbell

All 2003 U295 came with a doorbell push button built into the outside door handle. Mine does not work. Of course a new doorbell can be installed with a new push button located on the body.. I want to use the original push button but no electrical components or a complete doorbell system  exists as told by FT,
Has anyone been successful in keeping with  an original  type system replacement or have an idea how to maintain originality?

All thoughts are good here for "keep it all original " approach to replacement parts. (as much as possible!)

    Thanks in advance,

  Lou in Denver
I have a 2003 36' U295, 27,000 owned for 17 months. This is my 1st & last.  Like to meet other owners.VP of 4 Corner Chapter MotorCader especially in CO. In learning process looking for qyality, knowledgeable service center. Also, spend winters in Goodyear, AZ Contact at LRDECAROL@AOL.COM.

Re: 2003 U295 Doorbell

Reply #1 –
A picture of the button & chime would be helpful. Our doorbell is single round button inserted into a hole in the fiberglass. We replaced our door bell with an inexpensive Lowe's button that may have to be removed from a trim piece if that is the only way available. Our original button stopped working from moisture that corroded the button. Why not diagnose by removing outside button, touch wires together to see if inside part sounds off. We greased our new button to keep water out. We also removed the new button's little light bulb.

If a button sticks closed, it could burnout the inside chime, so we put a switch on the inside wire so that we can turn it off if we want.

I am pretty sure the inside chime is a common home door bell. Just buy one from Lowe's and try it on 12 volt DC.

Re: 2003 U295 Doorbell

Reply #2 –
Our coach's PO told me about a "glitch" with their (our) doorbell. It hung up and overheated, creating a fire hazard. The area near the "bonger" started to melt, I am told. No fire, but big heat. Seaching the Forum may give you reason not to go original equipment on this one. I deleted the Button, the Bonger on That Irish Girl.

You must bang on our door to get our attention now.
Paul & Kathleen
1995 U320c SE 40'
Build 4681 --Cummins M11 /17511
"That Irish Girl"
Red MINI " 40"

Re: 2003 U295 Doorbell

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Old Knucklehead –
Our coach's PO told me about a "glitch" with their (our) doorbell. It hung up and overheated, creating a fire hazard. The area near the "bonger" started to melt, I am told. No fire, but big heat. Seaching the Forum may give you reason not to go original equipment on this one. I deleted the Button, the Bonger on That Irish Girl.

You must bang on our door to get our attention now.

Yes, a pretty common failure.  Water in the outside bell shorted the ringer mechanism-- no noise, but solenoid says engaged.  Best to just disconnect power to the ringer. 

Knocking on the door "ain't that hard".
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: 2003 U295 Doorbell

Reply #4 –
As said it should be a small round button type.  Just pry it out.  Protect the paintwork with a piece of tape in case you slip.  All hardware places carry them, both lighted and unlighted.  Protect the terminals from moisture with grease of silicone.  Put a 2 amp inline fuse in the line from the button to the chime in case of it getting stuck (see above,)

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: 2003 U295 Doorbell

Reply #5 –
Lou,

My doorbell button didn't work and was rusted out.  It's on the wall next to the door handle. I replaced it with a Heath/Zenith push button lighted doorbell #455G-B from the local hardware store. Costs about $3.00 and fits perfectly.  Just need to make it waterproof with dielectic grease and clear silicone sealant.  I also spliced in a 1 amp inline fuse to the 12v power wire for the chime inside the cabinet in case it shorts out from being stuck on and will prevent a possible fire hazard as others have stated. Tested by holding the button in till it blew and then put in another good one.  That was six years ago and it has worked fine ever since.

Jerry
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Jerry and Cindy Maddux
1993 U300/36WTBI DD6v92TA
build 4271  "Miss Lou"
1995 suzuki sidekick 4x4 toad
Gulfport, Ms

"Pride of Ownership"

Re: 2003 U295 Doorbell

Reply #6 –
Forgot to add, in addition to our doorbell switch we put a very low amp inline fuse that will hopefully blow before door bell burns up. Most RVs don't have door bells so most who want our attention don't even see the doorbell button and just knock. But it is nice to have the doorbell.
 

Re: 2003 U295 Doorbell

Reply #7 –
Agree, if you decide to keep the door bell, insert an inline low-amp fuse just before the door bell chime.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020