Illuminating Mod

[Wiseacre99]

Small mod for a stair light.

The awning LED strip was nice but I really wanted something to light the stairs up.

The LED strips were left over from another project, if this works well they will be replaced with something weather tight.

[mds47588]

Looks like it works to me. Make it permanent!

[larry2c]

Looks great but on thing to consider - maybe a dimmer light? Our TT came from the factory with a light behind the stairs (amber) when you are sitting under the awning in a camp chair, that light is like a laser in the eye when it's dark out. I ended up putting electrical tape over the lens to just let a tiny bit of light out for now. Some day I'll modify it to use a dimmer LED.

[Scrapper]

Looks good, I did the same a few years ago but I also put one on the underside of rain gutter over the door.

[The Evil Twin]

Where did you put a switch? I have the same steps and like this mod.

[Wiseacre99]

Originally Posted by The Evil Twin

Where did you put a switch? I have the same steps and like this mod.

I'm not sure which one of us you were asking.

I mounted an illuminated switch to the J trim just to the hinge side of the door. Ran a wire to the front junction box with a 2A fuse in the line.

[TheMcBees]

Like the idea but white Leds are too bright in my opinion. When left on by camping neighbors they are very annoying at night. Especially for those in tent and hybrids.

Our factory step light is white and I am working on changing it as even it can illuminate a camping neighbor too much. I also concur with the comment of it shining in your eyes at the camp fire.

Our factory awning leads were covered with two layers of transparent blue tape (we debated between red or blue). Huge difference. Of course we still turn them off when we turn in which isn't too late.

[The Evil Twin]

Originally Posted by Wiseacre99

I'm not sure which one of us you were asking.

I mounted an illuminated switch to the J trim just to the hinge side of the door. Ran a wire to the front junction box with a 2A fuse in the line.

Ohhh, I couldn't man that out as a switch I see now!
I'm thinking to maybe mount the lights on the underside of the TH where the steps are. So there won't be a direct line of sight to them. Maybe use a blue or orange or even red so as to not be as obtrusive. Maybe get crazy and add a photocell and make them automatic.

[Wiseacre99]

I think a couple of you are overestimating how bright those lights are and they are not intended to be on all night, we're rarely up past 10 pm.

As far as tenters go, I doubt I will have many as a neighbour, TT is 33'3" and on full service pull through sites.

We started in Tents, then Pop-up's, then TT's, so I'm well aware of light and noise issues while tent camping.

I think I deserve to not fall down black painted stairs in the dark......

[Wiseacre99]

Originally Posted by The Evil Twin

Ohhh, I couldn't man that out as a switch I see now!
I'm thinking to maybe mount the lights on the underside of the TH where the steps are. So there won't be a direct line of sight to them. Maybe use a blue or orange or even red so as to not be as obtrusive. Maybe get crazy and add a photocell and make them automatic.

My initial thought was a strip the full length of the frame too but I had those two 10" pieces laying around in my garage.

The way it is run I could change out out anytime, the majority of the work is already done.

[Scrapper]

Originally Posted by Wiseacre99

I'm not sure which one of us you were asking.

I mounted an illuminated switch to the J trim just to the hinge side of the door. Ran a wire to the front junction box with a 2A fuse in the line.

I tied mine into the original step light as it is not very bright, it's a 194 incandescence and like Wiseacre it doesn't light up the steps at all. I'm on a seasonal site and built a 3ft wide 4-step stairs. MIL and the handicap girl she cares for have a hard time using the original narrow folding 3-step.