Entry steps on/off

[RV Vagabond]

Originally Posted by TonyDi

My Dutch Star has a switch in the overhead above the dash. It will allow me to keep the stairs out when opening and closing the door. Or I can switch to have it go in and out every time the door opens. (Don't know why you'd want to do that). There is also a safety override that if the stairs are out with the door closed they will automatically retract when the engine is switched to on.

Yes, but that has nothing to do with my problem. I want the steps to NOT go out when I open the door.

[RKins]

Originally Posted by RV Vagabond

Yes, but that has nothing to do with my problem. I want the steps to NOT go out when I open the door.

Now we know what you want....
Try this: on my steps (Kwikee 42 series) they operate like everyone else is saying with this one exception - when my door is closed and the steps are retracted, if I flip the switch that would normally leave them out after opening door (disable mode), it makes the steps not go out.
This is dangerous but would do exactly what you want. If I have my disable switch active so the steps stay out, I put a clothespin on the ignition key to remind me to turn off the switch before starting the engine.

[Bahamaniac]

The entry door can be hard to close for the wife so I check and lock the door when traveling. I want to hook up a sensor to light a light when the door is closed. That way when traveling I would know if my steps ever extended when driving if I ever forget to check the door being all the way closed.

[Mudfrog]

Originally Posted by RKins

Now we know what you want....
Try this: on my steps (Kwikee 42 series) they operate like everyone else is saying with this one exception - when my door is closed and the steps are retracted, if I flip the switch that would normally leave them out after opening door (disable mode), it makes the steps not go out.
This is dangerous but would do exactly what you want. If I have my disable switch active so the steps stay out, I put a clothespin on the ignition key to remind me to turn off the switch before starting the engine.

Our Kwikee steps (not sure of model) do NOT work that way. The steps go out when the door opens, no matter what position the switch is in.

What works for us is to disconnect the chassis battery via the battery disconnect that I installed a few years back. It's inside the coach where I can get to it before opening the door. This method has some drawbacks such as losing radio memory and such, but it does keep the steps from going out.

[Agility57]

Originally Posted by TonyDi

My Dutch Star has a switch in the overhead above the dash. It will allow me to keep the stairs out when opening and closing the door. Or I can switch to have it go in and out every time the door opens. (Don't know why you'd want to do that). There is also a safety override that if the stairs are out with the door closed they will automatically retract when the engine is switched to on.

I have a switch like you have.

I switch it on when I am closing the door for the last time after loading waiting for my trip the next day or to get the steps out of the way so my DW can drive past the rig to get into the garage. If you did not have the switch you would have to start the coach close the door then power down all electrical reopen the door and the steps would not drop. Switch is the way to go.
I agree during normal opening and closing the door you would not want the steps to go in and out all the time.

[Agility57]

Originally Posted by RV Vagabond

Yes, but that has nothing to do with my problem. I want the steps to NOT go out when I open the door.

The only way to do that is to disconnect the electrical circuit before you open the door. I have master switches to do that right above my door, it basically disconnects the batteries so there is no drain while in storage.

[RV Vagabond]

Originally Posted by Agility57

The only way to do that is to disconnect the electrical circuit before you open the door. I have master switches to do that right above my door, it basically disconnects the batteries so there is no drain while in storage.

I am not about to disconnect my chassis batteries to 100 various functions to accomplish this one thing I need.

[Mudfrog]

Originally Posted by RV Vagabond

I am not about to disconnect my chassis batteries to 100 various functions to accomplish this one thing I need.

Well, there should be a non switchable hot wire, probably the red one, going to the steps. Find it, cut it in two, and splice in enough additional wiring to reach an spst switch. You could probably drill a hole and mount the switch in the stairwell. If you do this, then the length of the additional wiring would only be a foot or two.

In the on position, the steps would operate as normal. Off, they wouldn't move from the position they happened to be in.

[AITG]

Originally Posted by Agility57

The only way to do that is to disconnect the electrical circuit before you open the door. I have master switches to do that right above my door, it basically disconnects the batteries so there is no drain while in storage.

Please read post 13. Use a relay to block current flow. The step draw is too much for just a switch.

[Mudfrog]

Originally Posted by AITG

Please read post 13. Use a relay to block current flow. The step draw is too much for just a switch.

Your reply got me to thinking that my reply above might be misleading. I didn't realize the step motor could sometimes require more than 20 amps to operate. A 20 amp rated switch would probably work fine but ya might need something a bit heavier duty to cover those times when the steps were placed under a heavier than normal load,, for instance, them binding or hitting an obstacle.

[Agility57]

Originally Posted by RV Vagabond

I am not about to disconnect my chassis batteries to 100 various functions to accomplish this one thing I need.

My apologies, I have a simple rocker switch that cuts all power off to the chassis when I store the unit. Came equipped that way on my 2004 Fleetwood Southwind

[richardgood]

Originally Posted by AITG

We use our MH like a car and frequently park next to curbs. I don't want the step dragging over curbs or bouncing off them. I added a relay that cuts power to the step breaker and mounted the switch in an unused switch blank on the dash. The relay is only powered when the steps are bypassed so it fails to normal step operation. The relay is fused to an unused circuit in the front power panel.
The step draw is too high to just run the power through a switch.

I installed a switch so I can manually overide the automatic feature. I installed it in the stair well. Most of the time we don't use the stairs, so they stay in the off/ closed position.

[RV Vagabond]

Originally Posted by richardgood

I installed a switch so I can manually overide the automatic feature. I installed it in the stair well. Most of the time we don't use the stairs, so they stay in the off/ closed position.

I would love to learn how to do that. The only wires I found are the ones that trigger the magnet sensing when the door opens. I installed a switch in the wire but it does the opposite what I want.

[l1v3fr33ord1]

RV Vagabond-

I had a chance to try the solution "knightstorm" offered in post #4, and it worked. I had a spare rare-earth magnet lying around; I applied it to the switch in the doorframe and no matter whether the screen door was open or closed the steps stayed in the closed position. Perhaps that would work for your coach.

Now, this is not the same as a total manual, in-out step control, but since your stated goal was to keep the steps in even with the door open, it should meet that goal.

Another nice part about that solution is that when you want the steps to operate "normally," just remove the magnet. I like the idea "knightstorm" had of a nearby storage location.

I see by the wiring diagrams for your coach:

Winnebago Wiring Diagrams
Forza/Solei L36G Wiring Diagram Book
Body, 12V Wiring Installation

that the magnet is near the lower-front corner of the door frame, so it shouldn't be too hard to reach. On our coach, the switch is at the top of the door frame.