I was testing the lights today on my new-to-me Logan and noticed that the outside switch turns on the outside utility lights and one of the three stall lights. Only one of these stall lights looks like the original fixture (round with pushbutton switch), but that one isn't controlled by the outside utility switch. Seems to me that all the stall lights should be controlled by the utility switch, in case you need to turn them on while a horse is in panic mode.
Posted 2008-01-27 6:53 PM (#75403 - in reply to #75397) Subject: RE: Outside utility switch--what's normal?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 736 Location: Western WA
My Logan has separate switches for the lights inside the horse area and the outside load lights. The lights in the mid-tack and manger tack are wired with the horse area lights.
Posted 2008-01-27 6:59 PM (#75404 - in reply to #75397) Subject: RE: Outside utility switch--what's normal?
Veteran
Posts: 296 Location: Tennessee
Thanks for the feedback, Headhunter. This is a '99 "Competitor" 3H GN...probably older than yours. It only has one outside switch. I would have assumed it would turn the stall lights on and off, but it seems only one of them is switched by it, and that one is not an original fixture. Obviously someone has messed with the original wiring. Since the fixtures are on the ditch side, i.e., the horses' "butt" side, I would think the lights should be switched by the outside switch. I can rewire them but I just wanted to see how most trailers were wired before I did it. I guess I could also add a second switch just for stall lights, separate from the loading lights. Thoughts?
Posted 2008-01-27 7:06 PM (#75405 - in reply to #75397) Subject: RE: Outside utility switch--what's normal?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 736 Location: Western WA
I don't know that it would bother me to have everything on one switch, I generally have all of them on at the same time anyway. If I need lights on in the horse area, I usually have the load lights on so I can see in the area around the trailer.
I know this is a really basic question, but is there a chance the factory lights in the horse area are just burned out?
Posted 2008-01-27 7:12 PM (#75407 - in reply to #75397) Subject: RE: Outside utility switch--what's normal?
Veteran
Posts: 296 Location: Tennessee
No, it comes on if I push the switch on the fixture itself, as does the other non-factory light that isn't controlled by the outside switch. I'll probalby rewire them so all three come on with the utility switch.
Posted 2008-01-27 7:53 PM (#75414 - in reply to #75397) Subject: RE: Outside utility switch--what's normal?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
My trailers are wired so that all the stall lights come on at the same time. I prefer this to having each fixture with its own switch. If I were to forget one of them, I could kill the trailer battery.
Posted 2008-01-28 8:06 AM (#75424 - in reply to #75414) Subject: RE: Outside utility switch--what's normal?
Veteran
Posts: 296 Location: Tennessee
I don't have a trailer battery (yet) but that does make sense even so. I also like the idea of a second exterior switch with the loading lights on their own circuit.
Does anyone know who carries the flush mounted rubber covered toggle switches offhand?
Posted 2008-01-28 9:04 AM (#75429 - in reply to #75397) Subject: RE: Outside utility switch--what's normal?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
I looked on some RV sites with no luck. Try your manufacturer to see if it could match your original switch. I know Exiss uses the ones about which you are inquiring. Don at Dixie might be able to help. Have you tried a supplier like Grangers? There should be other electrical suppliers on the web.
Posted 2008-01-28 9:43 AM (#75431 - in reply to #75397) Subject: RE: Outside utility switch--what's normal?
Veteran
Posts: 296 Location: Tennessee
No problem, gard, just thought someone might know off the top of their head. I did a search and found them at a few places online, Bias Boating Warehouse being one. This place http://www.wiringproducts.com/index1.html has the EDPM rubber boots that you can screw on to a standard toggle switch for about $2. I'm good to go!
Thanks again.
edit: Bias Boating is in Austrailia...guess I won't be ordering from them. LOL.
Posted 2008-01-28 9:51 AM (#75432 - in reply to #75397) Subject: RE: Outside utility switch--what's normal?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
If you plan on using a toggle switch, I would recommend getting a marine variant. The rubber boots will dry out and eventually crack, letting moisture into a non-waterproof switch. You can still use a boot on a marine switch, but it is superfluous. The overall cost is still not too bad to upgrade now and not have to worry about it again.
Outside utility switch--what's normal?
