Porch light failure

MarinerGeoff · 03-28-2020, 03:14 AM

View 24 J.
2016
The porch light is gradually failing. I think the cover water seal failed.
It has had maybe 30 hours of use.
A replacement is $65 +
At over $2 per hour I am not willing to use the same fittings supplied by Winnebago.
Any suggestions as to a reliable replacement that will look the same?
How does one gain access to the fixing screw or whatever.

be happy · 03-28-2020, 04:54 AM

I have replaced the porch light on two different units with this light.

Optronics International > PRODUCTS > LED Lighting > LED Interior/Utility > Products

Its a little longer than original but fits the space perfect. Amazon and etrailer both have them.

Once you take the cover off your light you will see two screws that will remove it from your unit. Make sure after removing the old light you secure the 12v wires so they do not fall down between the wall.

Morich · 03-28-2020, 09:17 AM

Before jumping to shopping and changing the fixture, I would first want to know that would solve the problem. It's possible that it will but it also may be something much simpler to fix or something else entirely like the switch, wire connections or the wire itself.
My first step would be to look at the bulb holder inside the light and see if it is getting wet and not making good contact with the bulb. Possible just a good cleaning and then sealed so that it doesn't get wet would be the easy fix. But it is possible the problem is the bulb holder is too corroded and the fixture does need changed.
However if it is the switch, you might just have a new is failing gradually!
If the bulb holder looks good, I then would look at the connections between the fixture wires and the wires coming in as they are also prone to getting wet or corroded. If they look rusty/corroded, I cut them off and use new to assure good contact. If neither of those, I move to the switch and test by just touching the wires together without using the switch to see if it works right or you may find an obvious problem like a broken switch that comes apart when you pull it out of the wall!
Since this light is beginning to give trouble, I would also look very carefully at the sealing on all the outside lights as it is a normal thing for them to leak and that can lead to massive trouble inside if it is not checked and sealed.

MarinerGeoff · 03-29-2020, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morich

Before jumping to shopping and changing the fixture, I would first want to know that would solve the problem. It's possible that it will but it also may be something much simpler to fix or something else entirely like the switch, wire connections or the wire itself.
My first step would be to look at the bulb holder inside the light and see if it is getting wet and not making good contact with the bulb. Possible just a good cleaning and then sealed so that it doesn't get wet would be the easy fix. But it is possible the problem is the bulb holder is too corroded and the fixture does need changed.
However if it is the switch, you might just have a new is failing gradually!
If the bulb holder looks good, I then would look at the connections between the fixture wires and the wires coming in as they are also prone to getting wet or corroded. If they look rusty/corroded, I cut them off and use new to assure good contact. If neither of those, I move to the switch and test by just touching the wires together without using the switch to see if it works right or you may find an obvious problem like a broken switch that comes apart when you pull it out of the wall!
Since this light is beginning to give trouble, I would also look very carefully at the sealing on all the outside lights as it is a normal thing for them to leak and that can lead to massive trouble inside if it is not checked and sealed.

Wow - a lot to investigate.
As soon as the weather changes I shall follow your suggestions.
The light is half failed anfpd it’s the front section which is faulty.
If the wires separate and feed two sections it could be cable corrosion. Otherwise another club member has given me details of much lower cost lights from Amazon.
Thank you so much for your help.

MarinerGeoff · 04-19-2020, 10:46 AM

I asked for help with my porch light on a 2016 View J24.
I received helpful advice.
A replacement from Winnebago was going to cost $65 + + . For a small light?
A supplier bid $30 + They mentioned that the lights are guaranteed for life.
I contacted Oprtonics International
“Text a photo” was the reply.
Three days later they sent a replacement - for free!!!
A corporation the lives up to its claims - I love it - so any project
OPTRONICS, International
401;South 41st Street East, Muskogee, KS.
I don’t think they sell directly, just make sure your local supplier can obtain lights from OPTRONICS - guaranteed replacement.

Morich · 04-19-2020, 11:55 AM

Good to find a good service but it is also worth noting how some warranty work. Since there is very little to fail on a light of this type, there will usually be some "exemptions" on the warranty and one of those is likely to be the waterproofing.
Often it is a case of not being covered if the connections get wet and since they have no control over that portion, it does make sense for companies not to replace a light if we let it get wet.
Since there was only half the fixture failing, odds are good the problem was in the connection between the two sections or bulbs.

MarinerGeoff · 04-19-2020, 12:39 PM

Good point - but either Winnebago didn’t adequately seal the fitting or the fitting itself was at fault.
Now you have made the point about connections failing, I shall open up the “old” one and see how it’s constructed.
In my case, water could be seen in the porch lights LED section.
I’m impressed at the ease of the company replacing a faulty product.
Any corporation is fine when there are no problems,
It’s what they do when there is one and Opronics stepped up without hesitation.

DrmCatcher · 08-28-2021, 09:51 PM

I recently acquired a 2014 Tour 42QD. The porch light and outside handle grip no longer lights up when unlocking using the FOB. Porch light switch on inside panel works, but when unlocking using the FOB, the lights no longer turn on. Any suggestions? I don't seem to have any breakers tripped. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

MarinerGeoff · 08-28-2021, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrmCatcher

I recently acquired a 2014 Tour 42QD. The porch light and outside handle grip no longer lights up when unlocking using the FOB. Porch light switch on inside panel works, but when unlocking using the FOB, the lights no longer turn on. Any suggestions? I don't seem to have any breakers tripped. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I didn't know that when unlocking, using a FOB, that the porch.light would come on.
It doesn’t on my 2016 View. I shall shortly be out of connection to the Webb and will try to remember to start investigating when back in “civilization.”
If you don’t hear from me within a couple of weeks - give me a reminder. Maybe I also have a problem or neither of us does.

DrmCatcher · 08-29-2021, 10:20 AM

Don't know about the View, but it definitely does on my Tour... just stopped a couple of days ago. Thanks

Morich · 08-29-2021, 01:22 PM

Some differences show on the drawing for different options, even on the same year, make, model and that year group is not as well supported on online drawings but there is one thing that might be of help. They do not give us real schematic drawings of those years! So it leaves lots more guessing.

Do you have six rows of switch, with three in each row or the option with four rows of three with a key pad above?

This is one small point I snipped from this drawing:
https://www.winnebago.com/Files/File...ire_184773.pdf

There should be a code stamped on each wire for ID.

Using this chart/list, it looks like the wire ID might be "FL, PJ, or KKN" :
https://www.winnebago.com/Files/File...ical_guide.pdf

I might want to start with looking at the bulb and bulb holders as the most likely place to fail but then if not finding anything there, the switch and keyless module might be a place to check??

DrmCatcher · 09-05-2021, 09:49 PM

Turns out found one of the 12 Volt breakers on the outside panel in front of the driver's side wheel flipped.... once reset. seems to be working.... taking another short trip this week...we'll see if it flips again..... thanks all

...... still got a lot to learn on the DP side of things....had a Tiffin gas prior...nice coach... but certainly a completely different world...

Ray,IN · 09-06-2021, 10:20 PM

I changed to a motion-detector porch light, Now I can leave it on while away at night without bothering anyone. When I walk within range the light comes on so I can see the steps or any obstruction I might trip over. I also bought the optional yellow lens, it comes with a clear lens.
https://www.amazon.com/Starlights-SL...984609&sr=8-94

DrmCatcher · 09-08-2021, 11:09 AM

Ugh!

..turns out not fixed...and is related to my post regarding the rear awning light turning off the front (patio) awning light...

Scenario: no awning lights on. Porch and handle light up when unlocking. Porch switch works as well. Turning on rear awning light... light does not come on.... If patio awning light is lit and you turn on the rear awning light, the patio awning light turns of and the lights on the inside panel switches dim. As soon as you turn the rear awning light switch back off, the patio awning light turns back on.. in some instances, a 15AMP Lamp breaker in the foot of the bed trips as does a 12Volt breaker driver's outside panel.. when that happens all three lights stay off until the breakers are reset ...

Given the problems only occur when the rear awning light switch is used, the culprit is related to the rear awning light... that's as far as my skill goes with this....

Guess my next step is tracing the wiring and looking behind the switch panel...

Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated?