Disabling entry lights

[Tillerman]

When the door of our Bounder opens, the step lights and front room lights come on. if someone is sleeping in the front of the coach its inconvenient. We've read the manual and there is no mention of this. Does anyone know if there is a way to deactivate this?

[BFlinn181]

You'll have to explore what turns on the lights. If it's the magnetic switch often used to activate the steps, you could crawl under the front and look for the wires to the lights there. There is often a light built into the step frame to light the steps. If it's a separate push button type switch found in refrigerators and car doors, you could either cut the wires and tape them up or install a switch to turn them off when you don't want them coming on.

[Gary RVRoamer]

What year & model Bounder? My '04 American Tradition has a multiplexor control board that handles all lighting and there is a jumper there for the auto-door light function, but I didn't think the Bounders had a similar thing. But maybe the newer ones do?

Maybe a call to Fleetwood would get an answer..

[Tillerman]

Its a 2016. It's activated by a magnetic switch attached to the screen door. I removed it thinking that it would solve the problem. Removing did solve the problem but created a new one, the electric steps stopped working. Last night I sent an email to fleetwood asking inquiring about this, we'll see what they say.

[wa8yxm]

It is most likely activated by the step controller.. With the steps extenced look under the unit for the step light..Then follow the wire.. If there is a 2nd wire that "Branches off" disconnect this wire.

[WOODYDEL]

Work your switches on the left side as you enter. Can't tell you which ones because I have a 2014 33C.

[Gary RVRoamer]

You can force your step to stay in or out using the switch by the door, but it can't work on automatic if it doesn't know if the door is open or not. That's what the magnetic switch is for, to advise when the door opens or closes.

I did a bit of reading and see that ARV now uses their multiplex lighting controller in the Bounders as well as higher end models. It's called IllumaPlex and it responds to signals of various kinds, e.g. "door open". Chances are there is a jumper on the controller that will disable the interior light feature - you aren't the only one that dislikes it. However, it can be a real boon when returning to a dark RV at night - lovely to be greeted with "lights on".

Fleetwood Customer Service will be able to explain if there is an option for that.

[phranc]

I suppose you could just wire in a switch at the light.

[Fencebuster]

Do you have a switch down low on the left as you enter that says "Entry"? On our '15 Providence, there is a rocker that allows for no light, steady light, or light for 15 seconds when the door is open.

[Tillerman]

According to Fleetwood the system is a multiplex system and the light cannot be bypassed. They did say to speak to the dealer about changing the system, whatever that means.

[Statgeek]

Our 2013 Fleetwood Discovery entry light switch has three positions. In the middle position, the lights are not on, and they don't turn on with the magnetic door switch. In one of the up or down positions, it operates as you describe, turning on/off with the magnetic door switch only. In the other position it is just on. Maybe your switch works the same way and you just didn't realize it?

[SarahW]

Originally Posted by Tillerman

According to Fleetwood the system is a multiplex system and the light cannot be bypassed. They did say to speak to the dealer about changing the system, whatever that means.

It probably means $$$$.