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Topic: Switch for entry step modification where did you put it? (Read 738 times) previous topic - next topic

Switch for entry step modification where did you put it?

So my next modification I'm planning is to put in switch to modify the front air step. I know how to do it, I've read the forums on it. and I was just curious where people that have done it put their switch to control it? I have space beneath the transmission retarder joystick. thought about putting it there. But then I have to run a long wire from there all the way over to the door. I thought there might be a better way maybe putting it in the door that opens into the self resetting breakers in front of the passenger seat. But before I do anything, and this will be several weeks out before I attempt it, I was wondering where other people had put theirs.
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: Switch for entry step modification where did you put it?

Reply #1 –
By modify do you mean have a switch that keeps the steps in or out to suit your needs?

If so here's where I put mine so it's accessible from outside through the slider in the screen door.

Re: Switch for entry step modification where did you put it?

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Bob and Julie –
So my next modification I'm planning is to put in switch to modify the front air step. I know how to do it, I've read the forums on it. and I was just curious where people that have done it put their switch to control it? I have space beneath the transmission retarder joystick. thought about putting it there. But then I have to run a long wire from there all the way over to the door. I thought there might be a better way maybe putting it in the door that opens into the self resetting breakers in front of the passenger seat. But before I do anything, and this will be several weeks out before I attempt it, I was wondering where other people had put theirs.
Thanks
Bob
Mine is on the panel in front of the passenger seat. The door open overrides the switch to open the step while the door is open. Close the door and the step retracts with the key off. Good for parking lots etc.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Switch for entry step modification where did you put it?

Reply #3 –
I put mine between the passengers heater control switches.
 
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Switch for entry step modification where did you put it?

Reply #4 –
Mine is to the left of the steering wheel.

Mark
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Mark and Tanya
Milton , Florida
US Navy Veteran (DV)
1999 U270 Special 40' CAI , 2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara

Re: Switch for entry step modification where did you put it?

Reply #5 –
Think I will put it right on the panel in front of the passenger seat. Easy to install, easy to activate coming in or out.
Thanks for your input.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired

Re: Switch for entry step modification where did you put it?

Reply #6 –
Where might I read about how to do it?
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: Switch for entry step modification where did you put it?

Reply #7 –
For safety reasons, my memory is not always perfect, and it only takes one error. I prefer to keep it wired as FT wired originally. 

If you want to wire in a new switch, make shure you know what you have bypassed, and make sure it is passed on to future owners.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Switch for entry step modification where did you put it?

Reply #8 –
Quote
make shure you know what you have bypassed, and make sure it is passed on to future owners.

This is a great comment. Also, I find that I have to refer to past notes to recall exactly what I did! (first the hair, then the memory).
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Switch for entry step modification where did you put it?

Reply #9 –
Quote from: dans96u295ft –
Where might I read about how to do it?
Do a search.
Beam alarm has the info. Basically you bypass the wire coming from the self resetting breaker C11 wire and supply 12 volts through the switch to the door sensor.
Step will go up then without the keys in.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired

Re: Switch for entry step modification where did you put it?

Reply #10 –
Something to consider is if your air tanks leak down over time while your sitting some where for an extended time this feature will stop working. It's easy to wire up per the beam alarm instructions, I wired mine up but didn't mount the switch just left it hanging in the panel to test it out. My coach will leak down after a couple of days so it wouldn't work so I put it back to normal.  Works great IF you have air pressure on your gauges.
Just my .02

Keith
The selected media item is not currently available.Keith & Jo
2003 U320T 4025 PBBS Designer series
Build 6203    Cummins 500hp
2000 U320 4010 WTFE / Build 5762 —Sold—
Motorcade #18070   
Pasadena, Texas
2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara-Sunset Orange pearl coat
Don't argue with a fool, people watching might not be able to tell the difference.

Re: Switch for entry step modification where did you put it?

Reply #11 –
Quote from: hdff –
Something to consider is if your air tanks leak down over time while your sitting some where for an extended time this feature will stop working. It's easy to wire up per the beam alarm instructions, I wired mine up but didn't mount the switch just left it hanging in the panel to test it out. My coach will leak down after a couple of days so it wouldn't work so I put it back to normal.  Works great IF you have air pressure on your gauges.
Just my .02

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

Re: Switch for entry step modification where did you put it?

Reply #12 –
I will try to explain how I wired mine, unforturnately I didn't take photos.

Run 3 wires from the 12V circuit breaker panel in front of the passenger seat over to the dash panel where I installed the switch above the javelina monitor.
1 orange - 1 blue - 1 red
Used a double pole single throw switch. (On-on, with no center off)
Removed the orange #60 wire that goes to the step switch by the door from its 10 amp circuit breaker. And joined it with lugs to the orange wire going to my new switch. Land it on the "common" center post.
Install the blue wire to the 10 amp breaker where the orange #60 was terminated. Then terminate the other end on one of the other terminals on the new switch.
Land the red wire on the last unused  terminal on the same side of the double pole switch as the orange and blue. In the breaker panel terminate the red on wire on one of the bus bars that is always hot to a spare 10 amp breaker if you have one. (I did). Or install a inline fuse if you don't.
Mount switch in the position where "down"  connects the orange and blue and step will operate as it always has with no risk or operational difference.
When switch is "up" the step switch will be powered as if the ignition is on.

As stated above if the air pressure leaks down, the step will not work so be careful when stepping out the door that the last step isn't a big one!

Edit:
This is for a 95 U280, you need to verify what wire # feeds the step switch in your application.

Typing this on my phone as we are in Virginia now and no laptop so forgive any misspellings.
Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota

Re: Switch for entry step modification where did you put it?

Reply #13 –
You can get your steps to work all the time despite being low on air in the air brake tanks if you have the slide-out room.  You can tap into the auxiliary compressor tank and tee this new line into the airline going to the step solenoid.  You will need to add two check valves to keep the two different systems separate: one to the new line coming from the auxiliary tank and one added to the original airline going to the step solenoid before the new tee you just added into the old step air line.  This will allow the steps to be powered by the engine compressor or the auxiliary compressor, but they won't back-feed each other.  (You could even add a pressure protection valve to the new airline, if you wanted, to insure the air-bladder would be the top priority for air if your new airline were to develop a large leak down the road someday.)  With this setup you would also have air for the step-well-cover if you wanted to use it, since the airlines for the step-well-cover solenoid and the step solenoid are in series.
2002 36' U270 Foretravel
 

Re: Switch for entry step modification where did you put it?

Reply #14 –
Excellent info. Thanks
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.