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Old 10-08-2015, 09:42 PM   #1
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How to disconnect steps.

Does anyone know how to stop the stairs from coming out?I don't want them to come out when I open the door or stay open. We are permanently parked and want to use steps we made. This probably seems weird but our step seems so small sometimes we trip going out the door.
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Old 10-08-2015, 10:20 PM   #2
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Crawl under the RV near the step. Trace the wire that goes to the controller and to the motor. Unplug one or both. The steps should stay in (if they are 'in' when you unplug the line.)

In the alternative you could remove the contact that's probably on the bottom part of the screen door. Attach it to the other contact that's probably on the door frame.

Supposedly there is a fuse in the power line to the step. I was unable to find mine. To deal with my step I cut the power line and wired the step to the battery thru a toggle switch that lets me control in and out movements.
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Old 10-09-2015, 03:24 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by ekrobinett View Post
Does anyone know how to stop the stairs from coming out?I don't want them to come out when I open the door or stay open. We are permanently parked and want to use steps we made. This probably seems weird but our step seems so small sometimes we trip going out the door.
Typically the steps are fused directly off the battery (in line 25 amp fuse). Getting to the step main harness connector can be difficult because the steps need to be retracted when disconnecting and that usually covers up the connector. If you could get to the fuse with the steps retracted you could pull it and that would deactivate them retracted. The door switch on the jamb can be tricky depending on what steps you have. Kwikee steps need the door switch to be closed when the door is closed to retract the steps and if they are kwikee you could short the switch wires together, simulating the door always closed (if still powered the steps will extend when a wire is removed from the switch but will retract when the wires are shorted together). If however they are Lippert steps the door switch is open with the door closed. In this case you could disconnect one of the door switch wires with the steps retracted therefore simulating the door always being closed. I think one of these options may be the way to go. Of course if you don't have steps from one of these companies this approach is a moot point. I should mention that the step power switch should be on to get the steps retracted.
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Old 10-09-2015, 03:36 PM   #4
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Normally there is an override switch to keep them from coming out.
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Old 10-09-2015, 03:59 PM   #5
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Normally there is an override switch to keep them from coming out.
I think typically there is an override to retract the steps (eg. ignition interlock) but not an override to keep them from extending. I think most people that want to override the extend do so by installing their own switching interlock. Could be wrong. I have both a kwikee and lippert steps and neither show an interlock to prevent the steps from extending. Of course things change daily in the RV world. Now, if the power fuse is off the battery disconnect output side then the battery disconnect set to disconnect will inhibit step operation and if that is where the OP's fuse is then yes there is a switch to override but it is the battery disconnect switch. Since the OP is stationary and if the fuse is as stated then that of course be the easiest approach (doesn't need battery connected while on shore power).
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Old 10-11-2015, 09:12 PM   #6
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Might be easier to just tape a magnet to the switch on side of door jam. That will fool the system into thinking the door is always closed.
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