Awning light & step light MOD

Dropnaduece · 02-26-2017, 01:39 AM

If you have the 5-way remote this may be useful.

I have read some different comments over the past months about the bright LED awning lights and the orange step light that I didn't even know I had until after the sixth time using the trailer cause the lights are so bright.

Well I wanted to be able to use the lights separately so I took off the main control panel. Inside the switch for the awning light had a small wire that links the two together. I unplugged the wire and it turns off the awning light. Now the panel switch turns on the step light only and I use the 5-way remote to turn the awning light on when needed. The remote is mounted on the wall next to the door so it works like a light switch. Best use for the remote besides being outside making sure all is clear when moving out the slide.

Hope this helps others who want the same use of the step light at night.

eng45ine · 02-26-2017, 06:09 AM

I would like to separate the LED awning lights and the amber LED light that illuminates the step on our travel trailer, but we do not have a five-way remote. You mention the slide, is the five-way remote used to deploy and retract the slide?

Magnolia Tom · 02-26-2017, 06:26 AM

Good find Deuce! Did you (could you) take pictures of the wiring you detached?

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repacs0103 · 02-26-2017, 07:20 AM

This is a great idea- going to pull my panel today and check it out. I have a blank next to my exterior light switch- it'd be great to pick up another rocker switch and just wire them separately.

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need-a-vacation · 02-26-2017, 07:24 AM

Drop,

Nice find!!!

For the same reason I actually mounted a waterproof switch to the battery box and ran wire direct to the amber step light. Also added one to the rear step of our 32. We hardly ever use the awning lights. Still need to do the dimmer mod....

Not worried about it being left on and killing the battery as I have a Blue Sea Mini Switch mounted in the battery box also that I turn off between trips. Kills everything.

LiftedAWDAstro · 02-26-2017, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eng45ine

You mention the slide, is the five-way remote used to deploy and retract the slide?

Yes, the remote controls the slide or slides. Also controls the awning in/out.

eng45ine · 02-26-2017, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiftedAWDAstro

Yes, the remote controls the slide or slides. Also controls the awning in/out.

Thanks! Sadly, my new TT does not have a slide or a five-way controller. I do plan to investigate modifying the Amber light to work independently from the canopy light.

repacs0103 · 02-26-2017, 10:35 AM

I pulled my panel today and unfortunately I don't have the separate wire, just a single feed that disappears into the chase, so it must split later. I'll have to dig into it on a warmer day to see if I can locate the split and fish the wire up to the panel.

I have a 2017 29.5 BHDS

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Dropnaduece · 02-26-2017, 11:34 AM

Bummer - it's a rats nest of wires. What I have in my 2016 25BHS WH is one orange wire coming from the rocker switch then follow the wire about 8-10" and I have a 6" wire that splits off to another orange wire which is the awning wire. The short wire has a connector on each side so all I had to do was unplug it and it don't matter which end. I would think that the WH line would all be the same if you have the remote. Not sure if this would apply to other Jayco models.

I was originally just looking into adding a rocker switch but stumbled across the wire and got lucky.

Dropnaduece · 02-26-2017, 11:47 AM

Here is a couple of pics - the wire I disconnected from the lead orange wire is a red one.

Good luck - I assumed most WH's with a 5-way remote would be able to do this since I have seen so many similarities even if you have a different model of TT.

Dropnaduece · 02-26-2017, 11:54 AM

Oh that is a good idea too and I have my dimmer switch on its way from Amazon. I bought colored lights but I don't want to replace my OEM just so I can have blue or red lights. The dimmer i bought was only $13 and it has a remote.

schrederman · 02-26-2017, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dropnaduece

Here is a couple of pics - the wire I disconnected from the lead orange wire is a red one.

Good luck - I assumed most WH's with a 5-way remote would be able to do this since I have seen so many similarities even if you have a different model of TT.

Sorry, but I'm missing where this wiring is. Is this behind the switch panel mounted on the upper cabinet, or behind the fuse panel/inverter?

Thanks for posting this...

Dropnaduece · 02-26-2017, 12:19 PM

This is behind the control panel where the rocker switches are located. Also until I took this out I didn't know there are fuses behind it...if one of those fuses ever blew I would of never figured that out until I would have taken it to the dealer and I try my hardest to never take it to the service dept. Not to spin off this thread but the service department that is close to me is horrible.

Anywho - good luck and I hope this helps others that have the same wiring.

schrederman · 02-26-2017, 08:43 PM

Went to my TT today and this is a 10-minute mod... very easy. I plan to replace the single switch next to the one involved with a double. I'll be able to control the LED strip with the new switch and the remote. I'll rearrange them so the switch order makes sense. Thanks again... I hate coming to a dark set of steps, (I'm OLD), but hate leaving the LEDs on.

Dropnaduece · 02-27-2017, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schrederman

Went to my TT today and this is a 10-minute mod... very easy. I plan to replace the single switch next to the one involved with a double. I'll be able to control the LED strip with the new switch and the remote. I'll rearrange them so the switch order makes sense. Thanks again... I hate coming to a dark set of steps, (I'm OLD), but hate leaving the LEDs on.

Well I just added the dimmer with remote that I saw on another thread. Tip - instead of adding another toggle switch to separate the lights and if you don't want to use the Jayco remote for the light switch. You can mount the remote that came with the dimmer in the control panel like I did. It had an on and off button you can use just like a toggle switch. Works great and the dimming of the lights is perfect. The dimming buttons are not the best because you have to hold down the button and it dims very slowly then all of sudden will speed up so it takes a little fineness to dial in the brightness of the light.

$13 on Amazon and $10 for a battery that didn't come with the remote.

Loving having a step light without the bright lights. Now I can take my dog out in the middle of the night without turning on the sunshine.

schrederman · 02-27-2017, 11:12 PM

Cool! I'll start looking on Amazon. Thanks!

TxLoser · 02-28-2017, 08:48 AM

I'll be trying this mod this week before our maiden voyage. Not the dimmer, but separating the step light from the awning light. I think LED's are great, but outside in a campground at night they can be downright offensive on full bright. Thanks for posting this.

GScott · 02-28-2017, 08:59 AM

Interestingly my Whitehawk has the amber light on the wrong side of the trailer where it shines next to the slide. When asked Jayco claims this was intentional to illuminate the water and power connections. I have no stair lights so use small solar powered LED lights that I Velcro to the stairs.

Dropnaduece · 02-28-2017, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GScott

Interestingly my Whitehawk has the amber light on the wrong side of the trailer where it shines next to the slide. When asked Jayco claims this was intentional to illuminate the water and power connections. I have no stair lights so use small solar powered LED lights that I Velcro to the stairs.

That may be correct cause I have the same light by my back door and over the outdoor shower. You don't have an amber light attached to the frame under your entry steps?

schrederman · 02-28-2017, 09:43 PM

I have the same amber light on the left rear for checking the hookups. I'd honestly rather have that light under the awning for those times you need a little light but don't want to turn on the LEDs. I decided against the dimmer and just went with another switch for the LEDs to be independent. I doubt I'll use the LEDs much. When I camp I like to be in the dark with just a camp fire. I'll probably add another step light under the bathroom stairs just for the safety of my grand kids...

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