Stair deployment on Fr32DS

[slackr13]

Is there some sort of override for the stair deployment so that they will not deploy at all--staying in the folded position? I am aware of the override to leave the steps out while camping. I tried this with the steps in and they still deployed. When we pull up to curbs and open the door, the stairs bang into the curb and the motor grinds against the curb. This can't be good for the stairs, so we are looking for some switch to keep them from deploying. Any suggestions are appreciated.

[KansasFR3]

No, but you can just unplug it. You'll see the quick disconnect under the stairs. Just disconnected it, put a plastic baggie over the connector in case you want to reconnected it down the road.

[drivmsafe]

We were having the same problem. I thought about cutting the bottom step off like a friend of mine did. Solved the problem for him. He bought one of those low step stools that adjust from 3" to 8" when they're at a site where the 2nd step is too high. It's also good for the wife. She puts it under her feet while traveling so her feet don't dangle. She loves it so much I bought one for my wife also.
I'm still thinking about cutting off the bottom step but, for now I just make sure that I don't park too close to a curb.

[KansasFR3]

You can also add another switch in-line to the magnetic reed door switch that's on the frame/screen door to fake out the system. I'm sure that reed switch is normally open (NO) when closed and normally closed (NC) when open. This would close the contact and carry the ground to the motor/relay. So installing a 2 position switch, you can now have a ON/OFF switch along with the existing stay extended or not switch thats already there from the factory. Just an idea.

[bubbles]

Originally Posted by KansasFR3

You can also add another switch in-line to the magnetic reed door switch that's on the frame/screen door to fake out the system. I'm sure that reed switch is normally open (NO) when closed and normally closed (NC) when open. This would close the contact and carry the ground to the motor/relay. So installing a 2 position switch, you can now have a ON/OFF switch along with the existing stay extended or not switch thats already there from the factory. Just an idea.

If you have LCI (Lippert) steps the door switch is a NC switch but if you have Kwikee steps the door switch is a NO switch. Closing the screen door will of course reverse the contacts to open and closed respectively. Either way a STDP rocker switch inserted in the output wire to the steps is one way to accomplish what you are trying to do. The door switch provides a ground to the steps with either door open or closed depending on the manufacturer. Provide a ground or open through your switch to fool the steps into thinking the door is always closed. The steps extending when the door is open is a safety issue and if the steps cannot be fully deployed due to an obstruction it will not harm the steps. The steps operate on current sensing, just like your power windows in a car. There is a cutoff current limit to the motor to keep damage from occurring.

[bubbles]

If you have to have the door power switch on to keep the steps out when you close the door you have Kwikee steps and therefore a normally open switch (closed with door closed).

[Finch]

if the steps cannot be fully deployed due to an obstruction it will not harm the steps. The steps operate on current sensing, just like your power windows in a car. There is a cutoff current limit to the motor to keep damage from occurring.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for including the info about the current sensing capability of the steps in your response. I have always worried that I am damaging the motor that runs the steps if it stops before fully extending because it encountered a curb or other impediment!

[bubbles]

Look at it this way. The only thing that shuts the steps down when fully extended and retracted is the current limiter (there are no limit switches). If there is an obstruction anywhere in either path the steps think they are fully extended or retracted. Good day.