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Sidewinder4 · 04-02-2015, 07:15 AM

Have a 2012 Dutch Star 4346DP
I have a switch for security lights on the Drivers panel and Master bedroom. I also believe I have three security lights in all: one is in main cabin on side of wall with half bath, one is in master bedroom and one located on bottom of shower stall in back of coach.
Issue: Light in master cabin is the only light working now. At first I reacted to the shower stall security light; I called Newmar and ordered a new one only to find the way you connect the new security light is done with one black wire as opposed to one black and one white wire. Further, I looked at the other security lights and now have another light out as well in the master bedroom. So I now have one of three lights working now.

Any ideas welcome.

"007" · 04-02-2015, 07:53 AM

Looks like a courtesy light and should be a black and white wire or red.
Here for reference is wiring and fusing link for locations.
The one with no white wire hold white wire feeding light to metal frame of light and see if it lights.
Can you change the bulb in light.

Sidewinder4 · 04-02-2015, 08:38 AM

Nope all one unit, hence why I had to buy a whole new unit for bulb replacement, but now it may not even be a bulb. Also new unit only came with one wire from Newmar.

"007" · 04-02-2015, 09:04 AM

Some of the marine lights have two wires the white wire feeding your new light would have to place under one of the screws maybe with a ring type connector.

PDR John · 04-02-2015, 09:47 AM

I think you have a ground problem.

Try running a jumper wire from the negative side of the house batteries and touch the outside of the light. Make sure the switch is on.

The black wire is positive with ground connecting to the body of the light.

PDR John · 04-02-2015, 09:57 AM

Also, you're dealing with 12v 3 way switches. Make sure all the wires are on the switches.

"007" · 04-02-2015, 04:51 PM

I think he has the white feeding wire John, but no white on new lamp to hook up, the frame of lamp would be where his white wire needs to go.

Sidewinder4 · 04-03-2015, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by "007"

I think he has the white feeding wire John, but no white on new lamp to hook up, the frame of lamp would be where his white wire needs to go.

Well said: old assembly has black and a white wire; new modified light assemble has only a black wire. I will update Monday my results; like PDR John said I have a short is my guess. My question of all the shorts/grounding issues where or how did this happen. Wires are protected behind walls. Sildeouts could of rubbed a wire maybe. Why is one still working and the other two out? Mysteries of the motorhome I guess.

Thanks.

PDR John · 04-03-2015, 07:42 AM

It's not a short, but a ground issue.

The new light grounds through the metal body. No wire ground, you need to add the wire ground.

That light is the old school licence plate light. Updated version has two wires.

Newmar most likely hooked them up in a series, first light not working has a bad ground. the simple test is to run a jumper wire from neg battery and touch the outside of the light housing. If they turn on, you've found the problem.

Sidewinder4 · 04-10-2015, 06:28 AM

007 & PDR John you both were right. Once I put the white ground wire to the base of of the new fixture, light is on and working. Why they went to one wire as opposed to the two with ground already attached to fixture is beyond me.

Now I want to look for an LED soultion. I did not realize how hot the lights got. Any help appreciated in finding an LED solution.