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Topic: Clearance Lights (Read 1897 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Clearance Lights

Reply #25 –
I am changing the clearance lights to LED's mainly because I should never have to put in another light bulb, the lights are difficult to reach and I am getting to the age that I would rather work up a sweat once to change them and then never do it again.  I am using GROTE 47252 red and 47253 yellow.
On my 95 U280 the old lenses are faded and most are cracked from sun exposure in addition the sealant on the front cap was hardened and I was getting water in the cap under certain conditions.
( I still did not get it done t'day, chest cold intervened, I am going to try the Jack Black cure this evening ) >:(

Re: Clearance Lights

Reply #26 –
Gary Bouland Wrote:  I am changing the clearance lights to LED's mainly because I should never have to put in another light bulb...  ( I still did not get it done t'day, chest cold intervened, I am going to try the Jack Black cure this evening ) :( "
Gary,
 
I myself use the George Dickel & Ginger Ale cure for those nasty chest colds... ;D
Get well soon...
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Clearance Lights

Reply #27 –
Got it.  That is a difficult situation.  Rent a cherry picker?  (grin)
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Clearance Lights

Reply #28 –
Gary,
 
Did you find 2-wire LED's, or are you going with one-wire clearance lights? I ask because most of the LED's I have priced are one-wire, using the screws to ground the light when it screws into a metal base/frame.  However, with our coaches being fiberglass, little metal is available to serve as a ground.  I did find some LED clearance lights in 2 wire, but they cost $12+ each, and I have been a bit reluctant to shell out $120-150 for the amber and red LED's.
 
Were you able to find 2 wire LED's for less than $12/each?
 
Anyone else find a cheaper source?
Don Hay
'92 Grandvilla, U-280
The Hayfever Express
Build #4055
'97 GEO Tracker
Life is like licking honey off a thorn.

Re: Clearance Lights

Reply #29 –
Don, The GROTE lights I use are two wire with bullet connectors, I am adding a female connector at the coach wiring and then all I have to do is plug them in. Cost at local truck parts dealer was about 8 bucks each.

Re: Clearance Lights

Reply #30 –
Good morning!

A couple of suggestions for accessing the front clearance lights from an old Rube Goldberg fan.
 
Option 1. For GV owners: Find a semi-trailer unloading dock. "Nose" up close to the dock. This reduces the reach distance. Might need a couple of skids or a short step ladder (leaned against the coach) to reach the lights.
Option 2. Use an extension ladder with a four foot outrigger/stabilizer bolted at right angles across the top of the ladder. Wrap the outrigger with old towels or blankets so you don't scratch the paint. Extend the ladder so the outrigger rests above the windshield and the ladder clears the front of your coach. The bottom of the ladder(on the side you are going to climb up) can be against a curb or a parking lot concrete stop or a building. You could even pull your toad up until the a-frame on the tow bar goes in above the bottom rung of the ladder. Use a ratchet strap with hook ends mounted thru the cable safety holes to pull the ladder in tight. Any of these methods will help prevent the ladder from sliding.

 
Nighthawk--(A Rube Goldberg Fan from way back) (also a retired INjuneer)
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: Clearance Lights

Reply #31 –
After some comments here and a little more study I RIGGED a ladder with standoffs to reach the clearance lights on my GV.

I do not recommend this method for many of us old farts, My legs are talking bad things to me t'nite, but it worked.

Angle of ladder was severe and probably not OSHA approved.  I also found that there is little bracing behind front cap, I could actually see cap flex with my weight ( yeh I know my DW has been on me about my beer gut for years ).

here is the finished installation.

Bless FT and their construction methods, I found extra wire wire tied behind cap and was able to cut ties and pull enough additional wire to cut off ends and crimp on bullet connectors so that I could simply plug in new LED's. ( BTW  New LED'S are polarity sensitive ). They were also generous with white caulking.  I used POLYSEAMSEAL on the new lights.....So I am done with clearance lights for the rest of my life.
Thanks all for your suggestions.  Like some one else said it always feel good to complete a job for a few bucks that would have cost hundreds in a shop.

Re: Clearance Lights

Reply #32 –
Gary,
The new marker lights look great!  Some of the attached pictures (I think) did not come through.  Were these pictures of the ladder rigging?
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Clearance Lights

Reply #33 –
OK, What am I doing wrong, no matter what I try  I can only include one photo in a post ?  Is this right or am I having a DA attacck ?

Re: Clearance Lights

Reply #34 –
Gary,
Your post now has the three pictures.  I see you could do the ladder stabilizer route.  I thought that might work with a little care being taken.  Did you also replace the rear & side markers?
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Clearance Lights

Reply #35 –
Peter, All have been replaced now except upper side rear markers, they are next.

Re: Clearance Lights

Reply #36 –
Nighthawk,

Excellent suggestions.    I can use my pickup truck to brace the bottom of the ladder.  One of the things I have been trying to do is sand, buff and polish the front cap to keep white streaks off the windshield and I could not reach every thing from the roof.
John Cooper
'91 GV 36'
Oshkosh chassis
Cat 3208T 300HP

Re: Clearance Lights

Reply #37 –
Just changed my front top clearance lights to LED's after reading all the previous comments. Gary is right!! Definitely a pain in the posterior when working on a GV!! I did the center three lights by laying on the roof. DW insisted I switch to LEDs so I wouldn't have to ever have to do them again. She said I would be too old to do them the next time they needed replacing (slam??)
 I got two wire, Four LED elements with the mounting holes on the same 3" centers as the old lights for $5.29 each at our local FLEET FARM store. They only had three so I have to wait for the next shipment to get the remaining two lights. I used Geocel Proflex RV Sealant under the lights--screw holes and wire holes. Geocel from our Kings Camper outlet here in Wausau WI.

nighthawk
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

Clearance Lights, Caulk and The Perils Of Silicone

Reply #38 –
Clearance Lights: I have to replace either complete fixture or replace bulb in two "brow" or "Forehead" clearance lights.  At least one fixture has leaked a small amount and shorted the bulb.

I have always used Silicone Caulk and totally agree with the criticisms about how hard it is to remove, etc.  I have recently seen recommendations for a product called Polyseam Seal (IIRC).  Is this equivalent to Silicone for sealing from water intrusion, and/or any other suggestions?

FWIW/FYI Department: I was assured by the FOT Parts Department that these lights/fixtures were "exclusive" to Foretravel and that I would not be able to find them in a typical Parts Store.  I ordered one from NAPA, Part # 18300Y, labeled from Truck Lite in Falconer, NY., price $4.29 plus tax.  I don't (yet) have the Truck Lite part # to order on-line.  I did order one from Foretravel and it is identical but did not include the sponge rubber gasket. 
Dan Spoor;  FTV 11082
Sold: 2003 34-ft U-270
(Sob!)

Re: Clearance Lights

Reply #39 –
Sometimes I think that if I wanted to get fresh air I would be told that its is EXCLUSIVE to FT.  :D
FWIW Clearance lites apparently come in different sizes, the ones on my 95 GV are 4 inches between screw holes and others I have seen are 3 inches between holes.  Measure twice and cut once  :)

Re: Clearance Lights

Reply #40 –
When I replace mine I will replace them with Truck Lite 18090 yellow and 18050red led's.
The selected media item is not currently available.Bill&Doris 97 U270 36'
University of Parris Island Class of 66
Semper Fi  Build# 5174 MC#17094