Bulb for door entrance handle??

[gsf35099]

Anyone know where or if the outside handle next to door entrance has a bulb to replace? My handle no longer lights up with porch light on. Do I need to remove the handle from the outside? Thought I might be able to see a bulb from the inside, but no luck that I have found yet.

Thanks

[wa8yxm]

The answer to that (Top or bottom) depends on the RV, I think mine is in the bottom, and the Fleetwood I rebuilt the handle light on across the road is in the top.

But you simply remove both, the end with wires is the end with the lamp.

[booty51]

Was the bulb in the top or bottom bracket of handle?

[gsf35099]

Yeah, thanks again. I ended up replacing the LED with the same size and color. I actually had a blue one in there (clear but burns blue) and the wife wanted the blue back in. Now that you mention it, wish I would have put the larger Blue LED in there, I saw those at Radio Shack, but will do that next time when this LED burns.. LOL.. Well, maybe. I bought 2 replacement LED's this time. I reinstalled the original 150 ohm to let it burn as bright as it could even though I have a 6 pack of 460 ohm as well. 🙂

Thanks again for the help. All fixed and pretty blue handle again..:B

[wa8yxm]

On mine I found the factory LED had a 150 ohm series resistor partnered with it.

I got the highest current rated LED radio shack sold (Also the brightest) and did the math.. I think it came out to 450 ohms as the proper value for it.

So the reason it does not last long is that they designed it to burn hot and fast, not to last.

Oh, and you can get em in colors too, RED, Green, Yellow (looks golden) and white are all common colors.

[gsf35099]

wa8yxm wrote:
There are two different light systems in those handles,

One is a replacable light, the other a hard wired LED,, More on that later

In both cases they are in one of the end brackets, Which one depends on who assembled and wired your rig, Remove a bracket and see if you got lucky.

Now the replacable one... You can get a lamp at either an auto parts store or Radio Shack depending on the lamp.

IF you have the LED type...

LED's should last longer than the rest of the motor home, BUT in order to make it brighter they used a series resistor that is several sizes too small.

Go to Radio Shack

Get a JUMBO, HIGH BRIHTNESS, LED of the color you wish (yes you get a choice)

Get a 450 Ohm resistor (NOTE, 450-500 is fine, You have some wiggle room)

Remove the LED and Reflector assembly

NOTE if the leads on the thing can be easily reversed (Some can, Some can't)

IF they can be easily reversed (The wires that connect to the RV)

Unsolder the existing resistor and LED,
SOlder in the new resistor and LED

Drill the hole in the reflector out so the LED will fit, re-assemble and connect, TEST, if it works, GOOD, if not reverse and try again, Should work now.

Re-assemble handle,, And enjoy

I've done two of 'em so far. (2 different RVs)

wa8yxm, thanks for the help. I finally got time to pull the handle off and mine is the LED type. Got power at the wires on the small PCB, so I'm off to Radio Shack to get an LED & resistor. Looks like I have room to unsolder the existing and replace. I know LED's are supposed to last a long time, but this little dude is not. Thanks again for the help.

[gsf35099]

Thanks gang this helped. I will check when we get home this week.

[wa8yxm]

There are two different light systems in those handles,

One is a replacable light, the other a hard wired LED,, More on that later

In both cases they are in one of the end brackets, Which one depends on who assembled and wired your rig, Remove a bracket and see if you got lucky.

Now the replacable one... You can get a lamp at either an auto parts store or Radio Shack depending on the lamp.

IF you have the LED type...

LED's should last longer than the rest of the motor home, BUT in order to make it brighter they used a series resistor that is several sizes too small.

Go to Radio Shack

Get a JUMBO, HIGH BRIHTNESS, LED of the color you wish (yes you get a choice)

Get a 450 Ohm resistor (NOTE, 450-500 is fine, You have some wiggle room)

Remove the LED and Reflector assembly

NOTE if the leads on the thing can be easily reversed (Some can, Some can't)

IF they can be easily reversed (The wires that connect to the RV)

Unsolder the existing resistor and LED,
SOlder in the new resistor and LED

Drill the hole in the reflector out so the LED will fit, re-assemble and connect, TEST, if it works, GOOD, if not reverse and try again, Should work now.

Re-assemble handle,, And enjoy

I've done two of 'em so far. (2 different RVs)

[UsualSuspect]

Fleetwood sells them on their site. CLICKY

[Teacher_s_Pet]

Tiffin sells them in the camp store/parts department in Red Bay. That's where we got our extra one, which I just looked at. It is a "carrier" with a small circuit board and reflector for a single white LED. The total size is 3/4" dia. and 7/8" in length, connected to 24" black and white leads with a bayonet connector at about 5" on each lead. There is no manufacturer name on the part. You might try contacting Factory RV Surplus in Elkhart IN to see if they have them. They do a great deal of mail order parts and had the complete lighted grab handles in August.

[Johno02]

The bulb is in one end of the handle, and I have seen them for sale at a few places. I don't know if there is one in each end, or just in one end, as I can't get the mounting screws out of mine. Two have twisted off, and I am leaving the rest alone for now.