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Topic: where does the electric step get its power? (Read 1035 times) previous topic - next topic

where does the electric step get its power?

Our FT came with the electric step removed and the wiring cut.  I have a new single step I am attempting to install. 

The ignition wire (yellow) has power with the key turned, but the big red power wire has no power.  Where does this wire go?

The fuse block in the dash has a 5 amp fuse and is for the ignition trigger wire.

According to my wiring diagram A-4175, the wire goes through a breaker wired with four others (maybe or maybe not located together) then through a 90 amp breaker and then to the battery.  The other smaller breakers are for the "ref" LP Detector, "dash mem" and "entry." 

Does any one know where the 30 amp entry breaker is, or where the wire runs?

Also, I have a switch marked "step."  Judging by the thin wiring, I assume this to be the step light, and not for the step.  I also have an unlabeled switch on a FT plate which seems to do nothing.  Is this related to the step?  In addition to all of this the wires for the magnetic switch were removed, so that may play a part in all of this.

Help!

Matt B
1994 U240

Matt B
1998 u-320

Re: where does the electric step get its power?

Reply #1 –
Found the breakers!  I forgot about THAT storage area.  It looks like the breaker is defective - no 12v on the appliance side, no reset when the power is removed, and no continuity when checked pole-to-pole with a meter.

Dark out now, more to come tomorrow.

Matt B
1994 U240
Matt B
1998 u-320

Re: where does the electric step get its power?

Reply #2 –
Quote from: oldmattb –
I forgot about THAT storage area.
Inquiring minds would like to know which one is "THAT storage area"?  The one right in front of the utility area?  My U225  also came with the step removed and the wiring cut!  The coach is so low slung that I can understand the step catching on something and ripping off.  You can almost get by without a step  I seen some of the steps that do not drop as much when in stowed position.  One of them manual ones looked particulary ideal, clearance wise.  Can't remember which one it was because it is not a priority for me right now.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: where does the electric step get its power?

Reply #3 –
On ours, it is the last one on the passenger side, shallow, and where the big 'ol water tanks are.  On mine, the AC wiring is in front of the sanitary service.  There is a removable plate with the breakers behind.  For some strange reason, I did not bother to look there.

I replaced the step with a single step Kwikee, chosen because it matched the bolts that were left from the previous step.  The wires were hanging down, and after replacing the breaker, the big red wire was hot, the white wire switched by the mystery switch, and the yellow wire controlled by the ignition switch.  The wires were missing from the magnetic switch, so I replaced it with the one supplied with the step.  For the brown wire, which goes to the switch, I crawled into the bay, cut the brown wire going into the loom, and spliced to the one going to the step.  The other side of the switch goes to ground.

Bolted the step on, plugged it in and it works.

I was OK without the step - it was a tall step up, but not bad.  Wife Kelly will benefit when her knee is hurting,  Our 15-year-old dog will benefit when I help him in.

I will likely neasure the clearance on flat land, and make a gauge for my wife to jump out and measure the speed bumps.  Or I might find an old curb feeler and mount it on the underside to drag if a speed bump is too tall.

Next, my first oil change. 

Matt B
1994 U240
Matt B
1998 u-320

New Step, Part 2

Reply #4 –
There once was a hard-working shlep,
Who installed a shiny, new step
He was not moving far,
Left the coach door ajar,
He cried at what he saw left!

Less than a week after installing our new step, I moved the coach ten feet, and folded the step nearly in half!  A good neighbor (obviously quite smart) used a semi-trailer load binder bar and some wood scraps to brace against the front tire, and then to my car, to straighten the step linkage until it worked fine and the damage is not noticeable.

Thanks Steve!  Warning to the rest!

Matt B
1994 u240
Matt B
1998 u-320

Re: where does the electric step get its power?

Reply #5 –
Glad you got it fixed up.  At least you did it when the step was deployed.  I am really concerned with the clearance of the step when it is not deployed, and like you mentioned - speed bumps and other high stuff. 
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: where does the electric step get its power?

Reply #6 –
PatC,

It is kind of scary isn't it?  Today I got a piece of metal (actually a Simpson Tie) and attached it to the underside with one of the bulkhead bolts.  It is about a foot or so ahead of the step and about an inch lower.  My thought is, if a bump looks threatening, Kell can open her window and listen for the rattle-scrape as a warning to stop, unhook, back up.

Matt B
1998 u-320