I have worked in the automotive service business most of my life. RV's are somewhat new to me, but there are many similarities with them and their cousins... cars and trucks. I am a long time automotive enthusiast and hope to help others by providing any info I can. In the following blogs I will attempt to describe repairs and maintenance in terms that everyone can understand.
Thanks for reading my blog!
Installing Automatic Closet Door Lamp Switches
Posted 04-02-2012 at 09:33 PM by Wanabee FTer
Updated 01-19-2014 at 04:51 PM by Wanabee FTer (Update)
Updated 01-19-2014 at 04:51 PM by Wanabee FTer (Update)
Tags micro switches, microswitch, switch
I'm tired of fumbling around in the dark looking for the light switch for the closet.
Most newer coaches have automatic light switches built into the doors so why shouldn't I have them... Okay, sounds like I have a new project to do
I looked at the local home improvement stores for a micro switch, but no luck.
Checked ebay and found 10 lever operated micro switches for $7.50 with free overseas shipping. Cool, hit the buy it now button and wait...
Only took 10 days to get them
I had an idea in my head of how the auto closet lights would work and this is how I did it.
I lined up the switches to the top center of the closet opening on the right and left side and secured them. Next I removed the closet light lens and switch and fished out the existing wire twist connectors.
The 12 volt hot wire (black wire on my coach) will be tapped into, the other (white) ground wire including twist connector will not be touched. I then measured how long to make the pigtails and crimped the butt connectors and terminal clips.
The micro switches can be wired in the switch open or closed configuration. I used a volt meter to find the correct switch position. Probably a good idea to wire it up to have the light come on when the door is open instead of closed
The closet has 2 doors and I wanted to be able to open either or both doors for the light to turn on. In order to wire it this way one of the the pigtails is crimped onto the hot 12 volt wire (before power gets to the lamp) then the 2 slide connectors go to the top of the right and left switches. The other pigtail gets crimped to the black wire lead going into the lamp, and the 2 slide connectors go to the bottom of the right and left switches.
That's it, all done!
I had the wire and connections laying around so only had to buy the switches from ebay.
Total cost for this project $7.50 and I still have a few switches left over for another project.
I was surprised with the good quality for the price I paid. The switches are made in Japan and rated for 15 amps at 120 volts.
*Update: 1-19-2014*
I have received quite a few PM's asking for an ebay link to purchase the micro switches that I used. I did a search on ebay today and found the switches.
ebay search terms are; Micro Limit Switch Long Lever Roller Arm
https://www.ebay.com/itm/10-pc-TEMCo-...item41745bd728
Most newer coaches have automatic light switches built into the doors so why shouldn't I have them... Okay, sounds like I have a new project to do
I looked at the local home improvement stores for a micro switch, but no luck.
Checked ebay and found 10 lever operated micro switches for $7.50 with free overseas shipping. Cool, hit the buy it now button and wait...
Only took 10 days to get them
I had an idea in my head of how the auto closet lights would work and this is how I did it.
I lined up the switches to the top center of the closet opening on the right and left side and secured them. Next I removed the closet light lens and switch and fished out the existing wire twist connectors.
The 12 volt hot wire (black wire on my coach) will be tapped into, the other (white) ground wire including twist connector will not be touched. I then measured how long to make the pigtails and crimped the butt connectors and terminal clips.
The micro switches can be wired in the switch open or closed configuration. I used a volt meter to find the correct switch position. Probably a good idea to wire it up to have the light come on when the door is open instead of closed
The closet has 2 doors and I wanted to be able to open either or both doors for the light to turn on. In order to wire it this way one of the the pigtails is crimped onto the hot 12 volt wire (before power gets to the lamp) then the 2 slide connectors go to the top of the right and left switches. The other pigtail gets crimped to the black wire lead going into the lamp, and the 2 slide connectors go to the bottom of the right and left switches.
That's it, all done!
I had the wire and connections laying around so only had to buy the switches from ebay.
Total cost for this project $7.50 and I still have a few switches left over for another project.
I was surprised with the good quality for the price I paid. The switches are made in Japan and rated for 15 amps at 120 volts.
*Update: 1-19-2014*
I have received quite a few PM's asking for an ebay link to purchase the micro switches that I used. I did a search on ebay today and found the switches.
ebay search terms are; Micro Limit Switch Long Lever Roller Arm
https://www.ebay.com/itm/10-pc-TEMCo-...item41745bd728
Total Comments 1
Comments
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Great idea and the price is right!Posted 05-26-2012 at 06:52 PM by EMD_Driver 
