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05-06-2014, 08:27 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Tahlequah
Posts: 3,079
Oklahoma
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Stair lighting automated
Some of us have two stair cases in our rigs. Each three step stair has a switched light above them that is pretty much useless unless the lights are only used for mood lighting.
If I want to use the stair lights to see the stairs (at night,.... I know some of you guys), I have to flip the switch then climb the stairs. I'm the only one in this thing so I don't have anyone to flip the switch again once I'm up the stairs. So, essentially the lights aren't used until now.
Always wanting to make my life easier I've decided I will automate the lights with PIR sensors tied into the existing wiring. The first photo is of the complete PIR component. I've disassembled the PIR enclosure, photo #2, down to the PIR sensor itself, photo #3. The sensor itself will extend through the ceiling only and the control circuit board and enclosure will reside inside the ceiling.
Now all I'll have to do is come within proximity of the sensor and the light will come on illuminating the stairs in case Jack Daniel's got the best of me and then will extinguish automatically. The same modification will be done for both sets of stairs.
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2013 Voltage 3800, 2012 Chevy 3500 HD
2010 Yamaha V Star 950
2009 Yamaha Raider
Volunteering with Habitat for Humanity Caravanners
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05-07-2014, 12:51 PM
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#2
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New Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Cleveland
Posts: 9
Tennessee
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Sundancer that is some truly forward thinking! Being not smart enough to come up with one of these ideas, and the fact that my switch for both steps is in the control panel under the big screen, I just leave mine on from evening until the next morning. Partly as security also since I don't want to leave the "porch" light on to bother people. What is your opinion on these being enough light to be a nuisance? Should I not leave these on all the time and steel your idea from you? I haven't been camping long enough to know how "sensitive" the neighbors are to such things.
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Useless and Sandi w Rayah, Mayah, Vicki and Dharma
2012 F250 King Ranch Crew Cab 4X4 6.2 gas
2013 Voltage 3305 w Epic pkg
2008 105th Anniversary H-D Ultra Classic
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05-07-2014, 04:37 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Elko
Posts: 47
Nevada
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Great idea Sundancer, Where can I pick up a couple of these switchs?
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05-07-2014, 06:07 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Desert Hot Springs
Posts: 1,761
California
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Quote:
Originally Posted by useless2resist
Sundancer that is some truly forward thinking! Being not smart enough to come up with one of these ideas, and the fact that my switch for both steps is in the control panel under the big screen, I just leave mine on from evening until the next morning. Partly as security also since I don't want to leave the "porch" light on to bother people. What is your opinion on these being enough light to be a nuisance? Should I not leave these on all the time and steel your idea from you? I haven't been camping long enough to know how "sensitive" the neighbors are to such things.
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The factory stair lights sure don't put out very much light. I sure don't see leaving them on would be a problem. I'm looking to upgrade mine with LEDs.
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Mike
2002 42' Monaco Signature Triple Crown tow 2014 F-150
2014 Voltage V3605 Sold 5/3/17
2012 F-350 6.7l CC 4X4, Sold 10/10/17
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05-07-2014, 08:32 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Tahlequah
Posts: 3,079
Oklahoma
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Quote:
Originally Posted by useless2resist
Sundancer that is some truly forward thinking! Being not smart enough to come up with one of these ideas, and the fact that my switch for both steps is in the control panel under the big screen, I just leave mine on from evening until the next morning. Partly as security also since I don't want to leave the "porch" light on to bother people. What is your opinion on these being enough light to be a nuisance? Should I not leave these on all the time and steel your idea from you? I haven't been camping long enough to know how "sensitive" the neighbors are to such things.
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Having lived in a solar house for 20 years I've learned to convert what I can to 12volts DC, LEDs and conserve water at every step. That being said, a light burning all night long just bugs me just like leaving the water running when it could be turned off for the moment.
If you plan on dry camping you'll soon appreciate energy savings of all kinds. I've only lived in the land of the 'all night generator' for a short time so saving energy and water is still with me.
Besides, it's the challenge of doing something different, sort of like a better mouse trap.
Don't have much experience with sensitive camping neighbors so can't help you there.
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2013 Voltage 3800, 2012 Chevy 3500 HD
2010 Yamaha V Star 950
2009 Yamaha Raider
Volunteering with Habitat for Humanity Caravanners
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05-07-2014, 08:36 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Tahlequah
Posts: 3,079
Oklahoma
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BnTinNV
Great idea Sundancer, Where can I pick up a couple of these switchs?
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DC 12V 24V 8A Auto Lighting Detector Automatic Infrared PIR Motion Sensor Switch | eBay
Comes in the mail in a little over a week.
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2013 Voltage 3800, 2012 Chevy 3500 HD
2010 Yamaha V Star 950
2009 Yamaha Raider
Volunteering with Habitat for Humanity Caravanners
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05-07-2014, 09:54 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Desert Hot Springs
Posts: 1,761
California
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sundancer 87
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Just ordered one for front & another for rear step. Still going to convert over to LEDs for both.
Thanks for the link.
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Mike
2002 42' Monaco Signature Triple Crown tow 2014 F-150
2014 Voltage V3605 Sold 5/3/17
2012 F-350 6.7l CC 4X4, Sold 10/10/17
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05-08-2014, 12:35 AM
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#8
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New Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Keystone Heights
Posts: 3
Florida
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I thought you were talking about the inside of the rig, not the outside.
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05-08-2014, 01:01 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 600
Nevada
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__________________
2017 Dodge Ram 3500 DRW
2014 Voltage 3200
2005 FLHTCI
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05-08-2014, 01:34 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Tahlequah
Posts: 3,079
Oklahoma
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fsu93and99
I thought you were talking about the inside of the rig, not the outside.
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I'll be using the PIRs for the inside steps, already have a battery operated, removable PIR for the outside steps. No wiring needed of course for the weatherproof battery operated ones.
The exterior PIRs cost about 20 bucks each and have a light sensor that controls the circuit based on darkness.
__________________
2013 Voltage 3800, 2012 Chevy 3500 HD
2010 Yamaha V Star 950
2009 Yamaha Raider
Volunteering with Habitat for Humanity Caravanners
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02-08-2015, 06:06 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 600
Nevada
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I did this mod to my stairs
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2017 Dodge Ram 3500 DRW
2014 Voltage 3200
2005 FLHTCI
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02-09-2015, 02:54 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Canon City
Posts: 860
Colorado
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How about sharing how you did it, where you got the components.
I really want to add this to our Voltage 3800, but just simply haven't had the time to look into it very far.
Thanks,
Pirate
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