Can somebody tell me how to disable my automatic entryway step. I want to be able to turn it off so that it doesn’t hit the curb when I need to park close. 2012, 27”, RB.
DAle from Downey.
Can somebody tell me how to disable my automatic entryway step. I want to be able to turn it off so that it doesn’t hit the curb when I need to park close. 2012, 27”, RB.
When the door is shut and the step is retracted, turn to the door switch to the 'off' position.
The step will not come out until the switch is turned on.
Be careful and not forget the step isn't going to be there when you next depart through the coach door.
Hitting the curb will not hurt the step, other than scratching it, it automatically stops when it hits something. It works the same way when the step is opening or closing normally, when the step it hits the limit of travel, in or out, the motor stalls and it's amperage draw increases. The control box senses this increase and shuts the motor's power off. It's a cheaper way of controlling the range of travel without using limit switches, it's also more dependable, considering the operating environment.
Larry.
Thanks Larry, but my step comes out every time the screen door is opened, whether the switch is on or off. If the step is out and I turn the switch off, the step will stay out until I start the truck or turn the switch to the on position.
Regardless, it’s good to know that there should be no damage to the motor if the step hits something and stops. Damage to the motor was my main concern.
Thanks again as I was about to look for a fuse to remove to disengage the step altogether.
Dale from Downey.
Dale-
Does your coach have a magnetic switch on the door? If so, you might experiment. Before you open the door, apply a magnet to the stationary part of the switch. It should fool the switch into thinking the door is closed, when it's not.
I have successfully done this to the switch on our Class A coach. As Joan says: "Your Mileage May Vary." It may not work, or it may break the switch, although I doubt that would be the case.
Mark H.
That was my first thought so I tried it with a magnet. It doesn’t seem to be magnetic. So my thoughts went to finding a possible fuse but I’m not sure where to look. Thanks.
That was my first thought so I tried it with a magnet. It doesn’t seem to be magnetic. So my thoughts went to finding a possible fuse but I’m not sure where to look. Thanks.
Electric step, again (https://www.lazydazeowners.com/index.php?topic=34227.msg209107#msg209107)
Scroll down in this thread and see Larry's info on where the step fuses are located.
Chris
Hi Dale; The reed switch inside the capsule responds to a magnetic field by closing when the magnet is there, and opening when the magnet isn't near. It is very small, and you won't feel any attraction with a magnet. Your switch works because the step goes in and out in reponse to you opening the door. The external magnet is to keep the switch closed, even when the screen door is opened/closed to prevent the step from moving. RonB
I was wrong when I said my door switch wasn’t magnetic. As suggested I put a small magnet on the jamb side switch of the screen door with tape and it did trick the switch into thinking the door was shut and kept the door step from deploying. Thanks very much for all of your help.
Dale from Downey.
"As suggested I put a small magnet on the jamb side switch of the screen door..."
The device to which you refer is called a Magnetic Reed Switch. The presence of any magnetic field will cause it to close, thereby enabling the circuit it controls.
Reed Switch: Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/slp/reed-switch/v949m2b26gfg3jz)