Community Forums

Larry & Rita · 01-25-2013, 10:26 AM

We have a 2006 HR.
Is there some way I can find out if the assist rail by the door outside was ever lit ?
I don't want to take it off, to find out, if there is a better method

wa8yxm · 01-25-2013, 02:25 PM

If it is a clear acrylic handle. with or without the coach maker's name embossed there is a good chance it was lighted. Easiest way is to remove one end (usually 3 or 4 screws) and pull it off, if there are wires, Lighted. If not pull the handle out of the other end and look for the light.

On my coach the light is in the bottom On Fred's (A campground host I just re-lighted) the top.

But if it's not working, and no mention of it is in the manual or if it's an "option" then the only way to be sure is to remove one end cap and physically inspect the beast.

Paul R. Haller · 01-25-2013, 02:34 PM

I had a Jayco with an acrylic grab handle that was never lighted but I added a blue LED from Radio shack and a resistor to it. I wrapped the whole thing up in foam and slid it back into the mount then, reinstalled the handle. It worked great with a ghostly blue hue at night. WAY COOL!
The hardest part was finding the power and running the wires through the wall and into the handle. I drilled a small hole where the upper mount was and pulled the wires through, then, added dicor to seal the hole.
-Paul R. Haller-

BFlinn181 · 01-25-2013, 03:56 PM

They are not hard to convert to lighted if it isn't. Either way, you'll have to remove the top and bottom bracket screws to access the inside. If it is wired, replace with an LED and appropriate resistor. If not, fish wire up from underneath and install an LED. You can get 12 v LEDs wired and ready to install at Radio Shack. I recommend an LED instead of an incandescent bulb for durability and lack of heat.

itdave · 01-25-2013, 05:17 PM

The handle was never lighted. Lighted handles were on Camelot and above. Many people have added lighting to the handles on Diplomats. Do a search for lighted handle on the forum you should get a number of threads telling you how to add lighting.

rguarin · 02-23-2013, 07:10 PM

I just read this and had to add this. Neither my 2005 Cayman or my 2012 Knight had a light in their handle but it was not hard to add them. The Cayman was a White light but the Knight is a light that changes Color Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, Purple. Looks real good. Both are wired into the step lights. Real easy and cool MOD.

navcom48 · 02-23-2013, 07:43 PM

rguarin – can you give some particulars on where you got the light and how you did the mod? Sounds neat.

lenkerb · 02-23-2013, 07:53 PM

we need a new handle for our 2000 Holiday Rambler...lost the origianl in Indiana (hit a mirror on a DOT truck parked way over the white line)..anyone know we could find an acrylic handle (17") on line they seem only to have the stainless or super large...

rguarin · 02-23-2013, 08:04 PM

I bought the bulb and socket at Auto Zone. Bulb is a Pilot LED indicator lamp LI- 194M 7 color. Socket was a 194 bulb socket. Just remove the handle drill a hole all the way through the wall if U are lucky it will come out inside the passenger console. Then locate the switch for the step lights use a double connect stake on to the load side of the switch. I did drill a bigger hole in the bottom metal part of the handle and also in to the Plastic handle itself. Two other guys helped me we were drink BEER and looking for something to do.

K7JV · 02-24-2013, 07:48 AM

Here's a schematic that might apply to your unit. Ours is an '06 Dynasty, and there is applicability to the Holiday line, as well. It will give you an idea where to look, as well as how to troubleshoot the system.

Good luck.

Dutch Star Don · 02-25-2013, 08:34 PM

For those looking for the LED light, I tried a couple and experimented with their brightness, wasting money. I finally went to Monaco (several years ago) and bought the LED they sell fro the handle, it was surprisingly cheap for Monaco, $9.00.

I also wired mine int the step liighs. Keep in mind, Monaco uses the ground/negative wire t switch their lights.

Gorlininc · 02-25-2013, 11:27 PM

2x don. Also remember led lights have a positive and negative side. If it doesn't light, swap the wires the other way.
I bought my led from Monaco a few months ago. $10. Cheap enough.

YC1 · 02-25-2013, 11:37 PM

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f115/ligh...dle-94237.html

Since doing this mod I changed the bulb to a color changing led. Really cool and not too bright. Do a search using Lighted handle for more results.