Community Forums

Bruce and Jenna · 12-25-2007, 07:56 PM

Once again the courtesy lights on the driver side of my 33RSE have gone out. Both the little light at the utilities and the bigger outside light above this area. Rocker switches above the faucet control these lights. Two different dealers have replaced these lights, each one saying, "The bulbs burned out."

I hardly ever use either of those lights. I use the outside light over the entry door every day and it has not burned out yet.

Anybody have any ideas here? I can't imagine that both switches are bad, let alone switches causing the bulbs to burn out. Maybe too much voltage to those lights?

Bruce and Jenna · 12-25-2007, 07:56 PM

Once again the courtesy lights on the driver side of my 33RSE have gone out. Both the little light at the utilities and the bigger outside light above this area. Rocker switches above the faucet control these lights. Two different dealers have replaced these lights, each one saying, "The bulbs burned out."

I hardly ever use either of those lights. I use the outside light over the entry door every day and it has not burned out yet.

Anybody have any ideas here? I can't imagine that both switches are bad, let alone switches causing the bulbs to burn out. Maybe too much voltage to those lights?

rockintom · 12-26-2007, 12:21 AM

B&J,
Good morning! I just want to make sure we're talking about the same lights. The utility light the little light in the bay area and the scare light is the big light on the outside and above the bay with the big lens. The utility bulb on mine have burned out 2 times within the first few months of ownership. On the my third replacement I became concerned something was wrong with the circuit, connections, or switch. My utility and scare light is on the same rocker switch. After the third replacement, I've not had any problem, as it has been fine for over 2 years. I would personally pull the bulbs in both units and inspect. If both are really burned out, I'd check the basic connections at the switches and bulb socket areas. Of course, check system voltage. However, if voltage was way off (above 13.8V) you'd have problems throughout the coach (especially in sensitive components such as bulbs and lamps). I would make sure and use a light film of dielectric silicone grease on bulb contacts to protect from moisture and corrosion. My guess is you probably have had a bit of bad luck on bulbs as I had. These rigs take quite a beating going down the road and the filaments in the little bulbs are pretty small and light duty. HTHs AND good luck! Tom

Workshop · 12-26-2007, 04:29 AM

Good morning, would have to agree with what Tom stated. I also have one switch that controls the two lights and it is located in the utility center compartment. If there are two switches and two lights and in the same area, would have to find something that would be in commom between the two if the bulbs are not bad. Like a common ground or are they on the same 12v feed going to the switches.

I also would check the bulbs first to varify there status. If bad, follow Tom's advice on replacing them. If you have a meter available, try taking a voltage reading at the bulb socket area or behind the switch. This will determine the voltage at the bulb. Believe these bulbs will operate over a wide range of voltages, after all there nothing more than a heating element that glows, as a result we have light. As Tom also stated, 13.5v is more of a standard voltage the electrical system operates on, as that's the output of the converter and you are ususally connected to shore power.

Let us know after checking the bulbs if they were bad or not.

rockintom · 12-26-2007, 04:39 AM

Chris,

You are a very smart fellow....you agree with most of what I say! Ha.

Now if I could only fix my own problems!

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

Tom

rockintom · 12-30-2007, 04:26 AM

B&J,

Did you find anything on this issue? Inquiring minds wants to know!

Bruce and Jenna · 12-31-2007, 04:16 PM

Not yet. Been driving down to Q. I hope to look at this tomorrow.

I will submit a full report!

Bruce and Jenna · 01-01-2008, 12:45 PM

I fix.

The connectors came loose from the light over the util controls.

The bulb burned out in the bigger light on the side of the trailer. I'll keep a couple of spares for that one.

Thanks for all the help.