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Old 10-20-2014, 11:04 PM   #1
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Question on step lighting

I'd like to pick the power off my porch light switch and run it down the door frame to exit underneath near the step and add LED lights there.

Any hints on finding a clear path? I'm hoping the ETI doorway rocker switch just pop out and I'll find a vertical tunnel is part of the molding there.
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Old 10-20-2014, 11:55 PM   #2
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Charlie, I been thinking the same. Yes, the doorway switch pops off and the door channel is a good wire race. The easy way is to use the door channel all the way to the floor, then drilling a hole to pass the wires to the outside near the step. However, I'm thinking of going a different route. Run the wires down the door channel to below the sink cabinet. Then pass the wires into the sink cabinet. From there, follow the water lines to go through the trailer floor and install the LED light(S). This is a winter/spring project for me.
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Old 10-21-2014, 12:18 AM   #3
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You can run right down the side the frame of the door, be warned it is thicker then you think lol found that out when I did this:

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You can also steal power from the 12volt acc plug in the wall to the left if you have one there:

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I used license plate led bolts from Motorcycle License Plate LED Bolt
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Old 10-21-2014, 10:28 AM   #4
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Nice neat job Cypherian. I like the use of motorcycle LED bolts + the way you handled the radius at the bottom of the door. Looks professional!
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Old 10-21-2014, 12:10 PM   #5
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I did that originally to the unit prior to selling it to Cypherian, he cleaned up my install but the basics were there.
see here http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8...19-a-1657.html
Now with BlackJack the 21 I wanted to do something similar. I had an additional captain light installed by the door which helps a lot, but I still want to add a step light, perhaps more centered that what I did on the 19. I have 12v access in the overhead and plan on running the wire down thru the "stripper" pole which is hollow down to the lower cabinet. There is where I get lost, I think I can then run the wire toward the door and down along the door frame.
Another approach is to remove the switch installed by the door, run a wire down to another opening along the wire channel next to the door. It is still in my planning stage until I figure the best approach.
Any other ideas on the best approach?
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Old 10-21-2014, 01:41 PM   #6
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A bit of a Devils Advocate play here, but I see no reason to light the steps at all. 95% of my camping is away from electricity, and we have never once had an issue with entering the trailer without the step lit.

Just looking at things from a keeping it simple perspective, but I do understand the need to do things.
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Old 10-21-2014, 01:59 PM   #7
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Jim,
We all may not have perfect vision nor your night time vision, but seeing where you are stepping is critical to remaining upright and a little more light to see at night may help you achieve that goal. At least that was mine as my eyes age I need more light.
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Old 10-21-2014, 02:01 PM   #8
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When I wander at night, I generally carry a flashlight.
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Old 10-21-2014, 02:07 PM   #9
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You might consider a strip of reflective tape on the steps. Should do the job with the porch light. No wires to run.
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Old 10-21-2014, 02:21 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpaharley2008 View Post
Jim,
We all may not have perfect vision nor your night time vision, but seeing where you are stepping is critical to remaining upright and a little more light to see at night may help you achieve that goal. At least that was mine as my eyes age I need more light.
Well, thanks for thinking I look good.

My mom is in her 80's and doesn't seem to have trouble with her trailer step. Besides, I don't think I ever actually look down. Once I know where the door is, it is kinda second nature.
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When I wander at night, I generally carry a flashlight.
Now this makes good sense to me. Being able to see things that I am not aware of, is more important to me, than seeing the things I know are there.
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Old 10-21-2014, 02:34 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tractors1 View Post
I'd like to pick the power off my porch light switch and run it down the door frame to exit underneath near the step and add LED lights there.

Any hints on finding a clear path? I'm hoping the ETI doorway rocker switch just pop out and I'll find a vertical tunnel is part of the molding there.
I took the not so easy route. I wanted the "step light" to be switched with the outside light. So, I tapped in at the light switch, ran the wires over the top of the door and followed the path of existing wires down through the floor under the driver's side dinette seat. Once through the floor, I ran the wires over to a short section of LED strip lighting attached to the bottom of the trailer in the step area. I'm sure there were easier ways, but it worked for me.
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Old 10-21-2014, 02:57 PM   #12
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Don, do you recall what type of LED you used? Size, # of LEDs etc.
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Old 10-21-2014, 03:01 PM   #13
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I say go for it. I have done mods on my various campers that others would fail to see as practical, but I enjoyed doing the work and the thought that went into it. To me, lights on the step is no different than running a rope light around the perimeter of the trailer. Guess my attitude is if it makes you happy, then do it. I'm sure we have all seen mods that we wouldn't consider, yet to the owner, the mod makes perfect sense. In the case of a "step light," maybe it is not needed, but I bet the effect at night is rather cool looking!
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Old 10-21-2014, 03:43 PM   #14
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Don, does your trailer have any foam to contend with? That is my problem. I do not like turning on my porch light late at night, the little led on the step really would not disturb anyone away from the camp site.
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Old 10-21-2014, 04:05 PM   #15
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Don, does your trailer have any foam to contend with? That is my problem. I do not like turning on my porch light late at night, the little led on the step really would not disturb anyone away from the camp site.
We do not have the foam insulation on the bottom of our Escape.
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Old 10-21-2014, 04:09 PM   #16
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Don, do you recall what type of LED you used? Size, # of LEDs etc.
I used a short piece of this: Amazon.com: Triangle Bulbs 3528-IP65-White-60L Pure White LED Strip Light, Waterproof LED Flexible Light Strip 12V with 300 SMD LED: Home Improvement
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Old 10-21-2014, 05:40 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Bennett View Post
A bit of a Devils Advocate play here, but I see no reason to light the steps at all. 95% of my camping is away from electricity, and we have never once had an issue with entering the trailer without the step lit.

Just looking at things from a keeping it simple perspective, but I do understand the need to do things.
Wifey wants it. Happy wife, happy life.
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Old 10-21-2014, 07:15 PM   #18
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Wifey wants it. Happy wife, happy life.
Don't I know it. lol
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Old 10-21-2014, 07:23 PM   #19
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Don't I know it. lol
Jim, don't we all know it!!!!!
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