Community Forums

Cheeko · 01-23-2021, 01:07 AM

So I bought this 1999 dutch star a few months back. Used, obviously. Anyways, I've been scrambling around trying to get the important stuff taken care of, maintenance wise. Something that has been bothering me about it is when I go into the coach when it's dark out, I have troubles finding a light switch. Ive been thinking that it would have been nice if newmar would have put some kind of courtesy light for the entryway when the door opens or something. I finally got around to getting these motion lights that would be the perfect fit.

I rigged one up, tested it in the dark. Perfect. Now all I had to do was to find the perfect place to mount it. Probably right next to the stairs so I'm not tripping in the dark. Literally, got on my knees to position the light for the perfect mount. ... Something is in the way... Oh... Look... It's a light!! Wtf? I have many things to learn about this thing, firstly I should be more observant.

I followed the wires, but at the moment the ground is caked in snow. I figured tracing the wires could wait till spring. Or, I could ask to see if there's a switch someplace that I'm missing. I haven't found any blown fuses. Does anybody knows where the controls are to this light? It's literally in the perfect spot near the steps to prevent one from tripping over their feet for months on end

geordi · 01-23-2021, 01:18 AM

Hard to answer for someone else's coach, but mine has step lights inside that are wired to a switch panel right near the door that is labeled rather cryptically... "step lights". You might have something similar. There are switch panels on both sides of the door, on the front dash are 3 - interior lights, patio light, and the step controller. On the rear side is a battery disconnect (disabled), compartment lights, map light (not functional), and the step light switch.

If you are looking for an OUTSIDE step light - your motorized step should have one that lights up when you open the door, whether or not the step needed to deploy. If that doesn't work, check the bulb, it is probably blown. An LED replacement will last forever and give much more light.

Dutch Star Don · 01-24-2021, 11:31 AM

If you don't find a switch on a panel, many step lights were operated by contacts in the door frame. Open/close the door to activate lights. Look for some buttons on the door frame that are actuated when the door moves.

deandec · 01-24-2021, 01:02 PM

Here is a $3 solution that may get you through the near term.

https://www.harborfreight.com/200-lu...ght-64723.html

Unplanned Tourist · 01-24-2021, 01:43 PM

I tee'd into the wire under the steps that turns on the light by the control. That may be what your light is hooked to also. Nice to have the light come on as soon as the door is opened.

Cheeko · 01-24-2021, 03:03 PM

Thanks. I'm actually in the middle of painting the fabric ceiling at the moment. My light looks just like Unplanned Tourists, except mine never turns on. I checked for voltages and wasn't getting voltage, but it makes sense to open the door and check it. I had previously torn up apart when the door was closed. I'll let you guys know what I find. Thanks

Ahh I'm going to post some pics of how the ceiling turns out later in another post. There was some previous water damage, marks, that left stains. I googled for weeks to find a solution in dealing with the water stains and didn't find anything really suitable for dealing with it. So I'm painting the fabric ceiling panels that newmar uses. It's turning out pretty good.

Skip426 · 01-24-2021, 07:48 PM

I'm also dealing with snow on the ground , but will try and get to the coach tomorrow to check out the orange Kwikee step light and the Newmar step well light operation in relation to the switches by the passenger seat .

I know that they both work ; but can't remember what switch position

Unless there was a running assembly line change , after my , March 1999 coach was built , there isn't a door activation for the lights.

harleyjt · 01-24-2021, 07:56 PM

I didn’t care for the orange light so I bought a bright white led light and tossed the orange one.
jt

geordi · 01-25-2021, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harleyjt

I didn’t care for the orange light so I bought a bright white led light and tossed the orange one.
jt

The idea with an orange or yellow light is that bugs aren't supposed to be attracted to it - and thus won't (hopefully) join you inside your coach.

I like the idea of tying into that trigger though for the step lights inside, then ALL the step lights follow the door usage. Going to think about doing that one.

RKins · 01-25-2021, 05:29 AM

On our coach the step well light is turned on and off with the porch light switch.

harleyjt · 01-25-2021, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geordi

The idea with an orange or yellow light is that bugs aren't supposed to be attracted to it - and thus won't (hopefully) join you inside your coach.

I like the idea of tying into that trigger though for the step lights inside, then ALL the step lights follow the door usage. Going to think about doing that one.

I liked that idea too until I thought about it some. I usually turn the steps off when we are parked and let them stay out. Doing this overrides the light as well. So opening the door doesn't turn the light on in that case. What I did was add a second light under the steps that turns on with the inside step light, the porch light and the lighted assist handle.
jt

Unplanned Tourist · 01-25-2021, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harleyjt

I liked that idea too until I thought about it some. I usually turn the steps off when we are parked and let them stay out. Doing this overrides the light as well. So opening the door doesn't turn the light on in that case. What I did was add a second light under the steps that turns on with the inside step light, the porch light and the lighted assist handle.
jt

My light in the stair well comes on whenever the door is opened, steps in or out.

It's on the side opposite the light switches, so they are easy to find when we come in at night if we have been away.

I wired the light to the same wires that go to the little round orange light underneath, so it times out after around 2 minutes if the door is left open.

We also have the stock light that comes on with the porch and handle lights, but we never leave them on after we go to bed.

geordi · 01-25-2021, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harleyjt

I liked that idea too until I thought about it some. I usually turn the steps off when we are parked and let them stay out. Doing this overrides the light as well. So opening the door doesn't turn the light on in that case. What I did was add a second light under the steps that turns on with the inside step light, the porch light and the lighted assist handle.
jt

My kwikee step light comes on whenever I open the door, the power to the steps is always available but the switch tells it to keep the step out. I never bother flipping the switch b/c when I turn the ignition on, it retracts the step automatically. Maybe yours does the same? Obviously I only notice the light at night, but since I never flip that switch.... It must be doing it all the time.

harleyjt · 01-25-2021, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geordi

My kwikee step light comes on whenever I open the door, the power to the steps is always available but the switch tells it to keep the step out. I never bother flipping the switch b/c when I turn the ignition on, it retracts the step automatically. Maybe yours does the same? Obviously I only notice the light at night, but since I never flip that switch.... It must be doing it all the time.

Similar operation in that I leave the steps out because they retract when the ignition is switched on. But when I turn my step switch off, it also turns the light off. It’s like it’s killing power to the entire step module. Light never comes on when the steps are off.
jt