Solving Persistent Step Light Drain on 2013 Grey Wolf 26BH

[russt66]

I have a 2013 Grey Wolf 26BH . I understand the purpose of the lights along the steps on the exterior to light it up while you're away. So when you come back to the camper you can see the stairs. The problem I'm having is I can't find out how to turn them off. So when this is parked in the yard they constantly drain the battery when not plugged in AC power. The only way I found to get them to not drain the battery is to remove the top fuse in the 12-volt panel. Am I missing a switch somewhere? I've looked over the entire camper manual everywhere. I can't find out how to turn off the lights that light up the threshold on the interior and exterior of the entrance door at the base where it lights up the stairs

 

[bikendan]

I have a 2013 Grey Wolf 26BH . I understand the purpose of the lights along the steps on the exterior to light it up while you're away. So when you come back to the camper you can see the stairs. The problem I'm having is I can't find out how to turn them off. So when this is parked in the yard they constantly drain the battery when not plugged in AC power. The only way I found to get them to not drain the battery is to remove the top fuse in the 12-volt panel. Am I missing a switch somewhere? I've looked over the entire camper manual everywhere. I can't find out how to turn off the lights that light up the threshold on the interior and exterior of the entrance door at the base where it lights up the stairs

Moved thread from the Tech and Repair section to the TT/5th Wheel section's Cherokee sub-forum since the OP is asking for model-specific information on a Cherokee product.

 

[JFlightRisk]

Normally the step light and under awning LEDs are on the same switch. How many switches on your panel, and are there any that don't seem to operate anything?

 

[russt66]

Normally the step light and under awning LEDs are on the same switch. How many switches on your panel, and are there any that don't seem to operate anything?

At the entrance to the trailer, there is a set of switches on my left. Retract/extend awning (wide switch). Two narrower switches, one of which toggles the outside under the awning light. This switch has no effect on the threshold step light. The second switch seems to be a master toggle switch for other ceiling lights in the trailer. You have to have the other lights on for this one to work. Again, there is no effect on the threshold light. When I pull the fuse to get the threshold lights to go off. It, impacts the over the bed lights in what I'll call the main/master bed circuit. Near as I can figure, the manufacturer connected the threshold lights into the wrong circuit as no switch toggles the power in that circuit, and the hot goes directly to the over bedlights. it has been that way since I got it.

 

[JFlightRisk]

If there's a chance you can access the wires going to the step light and have a place to mount a rocker switch in such a location to drop a couple of wires down to them, you can splice into the hot side putting the switch in effect inline. One switch wire to each of the ends you cut.

 

[russt66]

If there's a chance you can access the wires going to the step light and have a place to mount a rocker switch in such a location to drop a couple of wires down to them, you can splice into the hot side putting the switch in effect inline. One switch wire to each of the ends you cut.

Thanks for the workaround suggestion. I can pop a toggle switch into the circuit easily enough. I just thought I would ask if I am missing a hidden switch before I start cutting. It could be the step lights are just installed on the wrong (hot) side of the underawning light switch.

 

[reidfo]

Thanks for the workaround suggestion. I can pop a toggle switch into the circuit easily enough. I just thought I would ask if I am missing a hidden switch before I start cutting. It could be the step lights are just installed on the wrong (hot) side of the underawning light switch.

Pull the switch panel and see if you can locate the step light wires there. You may just be right about it being connected to the wrong side of the switch.

 

[jimmoore13]

A hunch. Every rig is different. Mine has a rocker switch well below counter height right next to the door...down low where you can reach it from outside without climbing the stairs.

Based on your floorplan, you might find a switch down low, near the floor, on the back of the dinette or on the strike-side of the door.

Another place to look is inside your pass-through storage. This light will be switched, and it's unlikely that it would share a switch with the awning lights (if that 12 year old rig even has them). This is more of a "porch light" that might run all evening without draining the battery too much.

BTW, while you are at it, determine if the "bulbs" are incandescent or LED. If they are incandescent, it's very likely that you can pull a bulb, get the number off it, and find an LED replacement that will be a straight plug in...no muss no fuss. The same is true of your interior lights. LED lights will save you a ton on battery consumption. I had a 2014 rig that was built just before the big move to LED, and I swapped out every incandescent for LED where I could. If you boondock a lot, that will save your battery and "let there be light."

 

[russt66]

So I pulled the switch and radio. Not sure if I learned much from the exercise yet. Rocker 1 has one wire in and out that hots up the LED ceiling light circuit. Each ceiling light is also switched on the light. Rocker #2 runs the outside orange under awning light. 1 hot in and 2 wires clipped into the switched side of the rocker, one orange and white wire and one red. I tried to chase the orange and white wire out but the manufacturer appears to use the same roll of wire for the whole camper and everything is orange and white. It appears to go up and out to the awning light. Here is the head scratcher. The red wire with 15a online fuse goes to a black terminal block behind the stereo. Terminates at the lower right hand side. Any ideas on what this terminal block does and why a red wire is being pulled from the switched side of the under awning light? I see no purpose for it to be switched to the awning circuit. Does this activate keyless entry circuit?

I tried to chase the threshold light from the light back but near as I figure that involves ripping out a door. Ideas?

 

[Flybob]

Reading between the lines, the TT is a 2013 and you are a relatively new member (Welcome). If you are not the original owner, it is very possible that the previous owner added those lights in which case the switch could be in a location that is not standard. If there is an access door near the steps ( WH or Fridge access) it may be hidden in there.

 

[russt66]

Reading between the lines, the TT is a 2013 and you are a relatively new member (Welcome). If you are not the original owner, it is very possible that the previous owner added those lights in which case the switch could be in a location that is not standard. If there is an access door near the steps ( WH or Fridge access) it may be hidden in there.

Thank you. No not the original owner. The original sales invoice says threshold LED lights as an add. I did find this remote in original packaging. Plugged it in and now the lights are off