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Topic: Docking Lights Spontaneously Turned On (Read 302 times) previous topic - next topic

Docking Lights Spontaneously Turned On

The docking lights on on both sides of my U320 spontaneously turned on last night and haven't gone off. This is the second time it's happened (last time they turned off about an hour later).  I can feel both relays behind the kick panel are warm. I'm having a hard time making sense of my wiring diagram but it seems to indicate that the only place the two relays meet are at the switch above the bed. I disconnected the wires on the back of that switch to no avail. Have confirmed that both switches on the dash are set to the off position. Short of ghosts - where else could my problem be? Something is delivering 12v to each relay but what?

1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Docking Lights Spontaneously Turned On

Reply #1 –
Unplug the relays and plug them back in and see if they reset or do they have a trigger source (12v+ and -)?
Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Docking Lights Spontaneously Turned On

Reply #2 –
I believe the relays are latching relays.  Same as the ones that are used for the water pump. 

After I wrote this I am not no so sure I am right with the above statement.  When you turn the lights on is the switches momentary or  are they like a regular light switch, on and off and stay were you put it.

I think you are going to have to remove whatever in order to be able to get to the relays to trouble shoot the wiring.  In my U295 I was able to get to them by removing a cover in closet.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Docking Lights Spontaneously Turned On

Reply #3 –
My first thought Elliot would be the turn off the salesman switch for 10 seconds at least and then try turning it back on and see if it resets the relays. Other than that I got nothing. Good luck and post what you find please.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired

Re: Docking Lights Spontaneously Turned On

Reply #4 –
Quote from: turbojack –
After I wrote this I am not no so sure I am right with the above statement.  When you turn the lights on is the switches momentary or  are they like a regular light switch, on and off and stay were you put it.

I think you are going to have to remove whatever in order to be able to get to the relays to trouble shoot the wiring.  In my U295 I was able to get to them by removing a cover in closet.
The switches on the dash and in the bedroom are latching. Are you suggesting there are other relays I should go hunting for that aren't the two I see behind the kick panel in front of the passenger seat?

The salesman switch didn't do the trick... even with that off, the led indicator light above the bed was still lit up so it's getting it's power from somewhere else (and I currently have the chassis batteries disconnected).

Keith I will try your idea of pulling the plugs on the relays tomorrow to see if they reset.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Docking Lights Spontaneously Turned On

Reply #5 –
We had problems with the docking lights and horn activating spontaneously and discovered the problem was ... cats.
Dave and Kathy Bennett
2004 U270
Build #6253
1600W Solar
700 AH Battle Born Lithium
2015 Jeep Wrangler

No matter what happens, remember you always get the trip out of it.

Re: Docking Lights Spontaneously Turned On

Reply #6 –
Docking lights are most likely fed from the coach batteries. Is the switch above the bed momentary or maintained? On ours it is a maintained switch so latching relays are not needed. Rocker switches at the drivers control panel should be maintained also.
With two (left and right side) switches up front and only one above the bed, relays are required, wiring diagram should show this. If lights on both side come on together, I would pull the switch from above the bed and start there with a voltmeter. 
Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota