docking light stays on

[JBM3M]

Hi all, was on the road yesterday during a nasty storm and the docking light by the front compartment just came on and will not go off. Switch has no effect, but does turn on and off the other lights. I am not sure how to access the switches, everything is covered, either I go thru the propane compartment or somehow the front trim in the compartment above the door. The landing legs obstruct access.

[JRTJH]

Try turning off the light with your remote control. On mine, if the light is turned on with the remote, it disables the physical switch and the light will stay on until turned off with the remote.

If you can't find the remote, disconnect shore power AND the battery, wait about 5 minutes and then reconnect the battery (be sure not to reverse the battery cables) and that should "reset the remote control relay"....

[JBM3M]

Yes, I have tried the remote, twice. It works the one docking light that is tied into the one that stays on, but has no effect on the one shown, which it usually does.


Off to pull power. I don't like this remote system

[JRTJH]

If the remote won't turn it off AND if it comes on after you disconnect all power to reset the relays, the only other alternatives are either a malfunctioning manual switch that is "stuck in the on position" (contacts closed and won't open).....

[bobbecky]

I’ve had problems with that light on our rig, mostly from moisture causing corrosion and that might be what’s causing the light to stay on. I’d remove the lens and if you find any corrosion, you might have to replace the fixture.

[JBM3M]

Thanks Man, you are always so right on. Got to put it in it's parking space before I play that much. As always, will try to advise of actual solution. Thanks

[JBM3M]

Originally Posted by bobbecky

I’ve had problems with that light on our rig, mostly from moisture causing corrosion and that might be what’s causing the light to stay on. I’d remove the lens and if you find any corrosion, you might have to replace the fixture.

Then what is best access to that? Cannot remove lens from outside from what I can tell.

[JBM3M]

I just went to park it, and the light was off and would not turn back on with the switch only, didn't mess with the remote. Will evaluate better when not pouring rain and not after a 500 mile run home between snowstorms.

[flybouy]

That light lense should just pry off. A small screwdriver or a butter knife inbetween the lense and fixture. Pry under the lens and it should seperate enough to cleat the tabs on the lens. If it won't turn off remove the bulb (caution it will be hot) until you can find the problem. I suspect it's the switch as well. You'll have to pull the swich from the wall to test it.

[LHaven]

Sounds to me like all the lights respond to the switch and remote properly except one, and presumably that one has a mirrored partner that responds properly. Has to be some kind of short to that one light.

[JBM3M]

Originally Posted by LHaven

Sounds to me like all the lights respond to the switch and remote properly except one, and presumably that one has a mirrored partner that responds properly. Has to be some kind of short to that one light.

I totally agree

[JBM3M]

Well, dawdling here until the second photo travels the airwaves going around the world 74 times and yet my phone and computer are in the same room.


LOL, Anyhow. That particular light is not operated by the remote or the "docking light" switches. It does have a switch on the bottom side which I was totally unaware of....If I had been a dwarf maybe I would have seen it.


Regardless the switch is shorting out and not working all the time. Probably have to get a whole light assembly to just fix the switch, but for now I just removed the bulb. Access to all that is from the outside, wires have lots of extra to pull the switches and such out.

[flybouy]

Those fixtures are cheap. Just googlr rv proch light and you'll see plenty of them.

[JRTJH]

Here's one for $9 on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Optronics-RVP...s%2C138&sr=8-4

If the light is mounted in the same location on the lower front of the trailer, the rear driver's tire slings water on the fixture when towing, so chances are the switch is being "showered with road grime and water" which is what caused the switch to fail.

How to fix it ??? IMO, buy two replacements, one to install and one for next time.

[JBM3M]

Yep got her handled. Will take new one apart and put in dielectric grease before use.

[LHaven]

This is the point where I drag out the can of Chemtronics DPL lubricant and try to blast the crud out from inside the switch before having to caulk up a new light fixture...

[rlh1957]

Mine did the same… stayed on or wouldn’t turn on.
The switches are cheap and not exactly weatherproof.
Take the fixture apart and look at any contacts for corrosion.
Switch as well as light is replaceable.
Change that bulb to LED equivalent.

[JBM3M]

Mine was arcing,I had to replace it.

[BookPaul74]

Mine would not turn on most of the time so I removed it and mounted a “rock light” on both sides. I use a 12 volt wireless relay to control them. It’s handy at night when going out with the dog, boondocking a few miles from the Mexican border. I’ve installed LED strip lights all around the fifth wheel that also work off of relays. Handy when setting up at night or dealing with a generator.

The lights underneath the awning when I purchased the fifth wheel would only have 5 or 6 of the little LED’s would light and were all twisted around. I removed them and most of the plastic channel. I replaced them with two strips of white LED’s and one strip of disco lights (RGBW) with a controller and app on my iPhone.

They are hard to see in the daylight but one night at Buenos Aries Wildlife Refuge I turned them all on and had a headlamp and LED flashlight and got a flyover by a border patrol helicopter. 😁

[Cbrez]

C’mon man. It’s obvious the light is trying to tell you to stay off the roof during nasty storms