Rope light replace in Winnebago Tour or itasca Ellipse?

[Largeandy]

I have a friend who has a 2012 Winnebago Tour......same coach as the 2012 Ellipse. His accent light above the driver chair and up high storage cabinets has burned out. This appears to me to be a "rope light" and is difficult to get to.

I have also wondered how this light bulb or light rope might be replaced if it burns out without going to a dealer for such a seemingly simple job. Biggest problem looks like being able to get to the light in the first place.


You can reach your hand over the top wooden facade and feel it is a rope light but I wonder how one would replace this light absent taking down the woodwork in front of said "accent light"? This light is turned on by the switch in the cabinet above the entry door. .....any ideas on this small problem short of taking the coach to a dealer for such a simple bulb or rope light replacement? Thanks for any thoughts or ideas.

[DancinCampers]

Mine went out also, but I am letting the factory handle it next week along with our other warranty items.

If it was up to me, I would remove false inside cabinet wall which hides the rope end wiring, and add second rope lite, just laying on top of original one.

[Largeandy]

Originally Posted by DancinCampers

Mine went out also, but I am letting the factory handle it next week along with our other warranty items.

If it was up to me, I would remove false inside cabinet wall which hides the rope end wiring, and add second rope lite, just laying on top of original one.

Thanks for your feedback. It is appreciated!

[RTegarini]

I'd like to see the installation; any chance you of you could post a photo or two for the rest of us?

Thank you. -RT

[DancinCampers]

Ours has been in the factory service bay since Tues for warranty items.

I talked to the technician about our rope light, which of course started working when they flipped the switch. It did go out again, so they repaired it. It basically lays on top of the valance, snapped into several short c channels.

I will try to explain how the rope is constructed and fixed.

If you are familiar with other rope lights, the connectors are molded in to the ends, 2 male and 2 female, then a screw cap attaches them. On ours, the male end, one which is attached to 12v wiring, are 2 pointed connectors. The end of the rope has bare wire ends. Position the male points onto the bare wire ends, push in to make contact, then screw compression caps in place to hold.

If the male points are not aligned well, then intermittent operation can result, burning wire ends, causing worse or no operation.

The rope has scissor cutting marks along its length. They cut mine a little short and attached a new connector end.

They did this without removing any woodwork.

I did not double check, but service advisor said you can buy the rope light from the parts dept.

I asked them to leave the old parts in the coach and will try and post pics next week.

Hope this helps.

[dsbike]

Check this sticky post. "Fire in overhead". It seems that several, models with these rope lights have had problems with loose or bad connections.

[goldviper]

Hello Andy,

You might call the factory or Lichtsinn Motors and order a new light and that might give you some ideas on how it is installed.
Les

[two-niner]

Dancingcampers: Who is doing your repairs ?

Thanks, Kerry

[DancinCampers]

The factory in Forest City IA.

We hope to get it back this afternoon.

[two-niner]

Dancingcamper: Sorry, should have asked which service advisor ?

Thanks, Kerry

[DancinCampers]

Mike Hamson is service advisor, tech is Kelley.

[two-niner]

Thanks Dan.

Kerry

[DancinCampers]

Since ours was a warranty repair they kept the old parts. But they did leave a brochure on mounting/repair of the rope light, from the company.

The company is ITC Incorporated

www.itc-rv.com

Looks like they make a lot of the fixtures used by Winnebago.

Their other 2 websites are:

www.itc-marine.com and
www.itc-industrial.com

[ron55]

that rope light is stapled (on the 2013 40U) that may be a reason for failure