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02-02-2015, 02:28 PM
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#1
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Avon, OH
Posts: 20
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Lighted Grab Bar
Has anyone added lighting to the outside grab bar on a 2014 Vista? It has chrome ends and acrylic or Lucite middle with what appears to be fiber optic threads running through it. I'd like to wire it into the porch light circuit. The picture is sideways.
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Andy Haiduck
2014 Vista 35B
2010 GMC Terrain Toad
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02-02-2015, 02:35 PM
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#2
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 486
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I suggest you remove the top end of the handle. See if it has a hole to insert an LED or can be drilled out to place one. Then you'll have to drill into the area behind the handle cap and fish a couple of wires up to the outside light. I did it on my entry handle and enjoy the extra 'dazzle.' It'd be smart to buy an LED that already has a resistor built in for 12 v use.
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Bob & Donna
'98 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager DP being pushed by a '00 Beetle TDI
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02-02-2015, 02:35 PM
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#3
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Altoona, Iowa
Posts: 419
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Quote:
Originally Posted by haiduan
Has anyone added lighting to the outside grab bar on a 2014 Vista? It has chrome ends and acrylic or Lucite middle with what appears to be fiber optic threads running through it. I'd like to wire it into the porch light circuit. The picture is sideways.
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Me too!
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2010 Itasca Sunova 33C (a lot of modifications)
2004 Jeep Rubicon, 34K miles (highly modified)
Three cats and the wife
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02-02-2015, 02:41 PM
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#4
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Winnebago Watcher
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Gilbert, AZ
Posts: 2
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Here is a link to a light available on eBay. I bought one to replace my light that had gone bad.
Mine is mounted in the bottom of the handle. There is enough space below the lucite bar for the light to fit and the wires extend through the bottom of the chrome end.
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2004 Damon Intruder 350F/
2014 Honda CR-V Toad
Frank, Tim, Scooter & Ozzy
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02-02-2015, 02:59 PM
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#5
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 486
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Wow, that's a lot for a simple LED lamp. Here's 30 12 v LED assemblies with built in limiting resistor.
30pcs 5mm White 20000MCD LED Lamps Light Set 20cm Pre Wired 9V 12V DC | eBay
You could use 2 or 3 in the handle cap. I suggest the top because it just seems better for weatherproofing the wires and hole. I was going to suggest going to Radio Shack, I've bought these kinds of things there before, but it appears they've shut the doors!
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Bob & Donna
'98 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager DP being pushed by a '00 Beetle TDI
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02-02-2015, 03:03 PM
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#6
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 39
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Once you get enough nerve to drill thru the sidewall, the installation is pretty easy. Our step has a light that comes on whenever the door is opened, I spliced into that circuit (there is a timer that turns off the circuit if the door is left open).
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Wild Bill
2013 Winnebago Vista 30T, UltraTrac rear trac bar
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02-02-2015, 03:26 PM
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#7
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona
Posts: 656
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WBandJ
Once you get enough nerve to drill thru the sidewall, the installation is pretty easy. ).
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Ditto. For my Ellipse, I just went to a Monaco dealer and purchased a replacement bulb for their lighted grab handles. There was plenty room for it inside the chrome housing and I ran wires through the side of the coach into a lighted rocker switch near the passenger arm rest.
Rick
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Rick, Nancy, Peanut & Lola our Westie Dogs & Bailey the Sheltie.
2007 Itasca Ellipse 40FD
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02-02-2015, 04:51 PM
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#8
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Altoona, Iowa
Posts: 419
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Quote:
Originally Posted by haiduan
Has anyone added lighting to the outside grab bar on a 2014 Vista? It has chrome ends and acrylic or Lucite middle with what appears to be fiber optic threads running through it. I'd like to wire it into the porch light circuit. The picture is sideways.
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I found the lighted version of my 18" handle on Amazon. I'll take my existing handle off and check to see if provisions were made for lighting. If not, I might just spring for the version that came with the light from the manufacturer.
The Amazon web page has the handle design diagram and also a picture from Winnebago with the handle on their motorhomes.
Amazon.com: ITC (86436-SS/CL-18-DB) IllumaGrip III 18" Polished Stainless Steel Lighted Assist Handle: Automotive
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2010 Itasca Sunova 33C (a lot of modifications)
2004 Jeep Rubicon, 34K miles (highly modified)
Three cats and the wife
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02-02-2015, 06:44 PM
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#9
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Altoona, Iowa
Posts: 419
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Quote:
Originally Posted by haiduan
Has anyone added lighting to the outside grab bar on a 2014 Vista? It has chrome ends and acrylic or Lucite middle with what appears to be fiber optic threads running through it. I'd like to wire it into the porch light circuit. The picture is sideways.
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Found the OEM light that goes inside the grab handle.
http://www.amazon.com/ITC-86430-LED-...0+led+assembly
Here's the company that makes the grab handles and also lighting and plumbing, etc. They have downloadable instructions on how to install the light into the handle.
Products
__________________
2010 Itasca Sunova 33C (a lot of modifications)
2004 Jeep Rubicon, 34K miles (highly modified)
Three cats and the wife
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02-03-2015, 03:11 AM
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#10
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aauummm
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That's exactly what I used. The diameter of the light assembly was slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the grab bar. I slipped the light assembly into a short length of vinyl hose and revised assembly had a nice friction fit into the grab bar.
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Wild Bill
2013 Winnebago Vista 30T, UltraTrac rear trac bar
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02-03-2015, 06:00 AM
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#11
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Altoona, Iowa
Posts: 419
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WBandJ
That's exactly what I used. The diameter of the light assembly was slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the grab bar. I slipped the light assembly into a short length of vinyl hose and revised assembly had a nice friction fit into the grab bar.
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Sounds good. I ordered one last night. On my unit there is a blank cover plate on the inside wall by the door that is right about even with the outside assist handle. I've never taken it off but I'll see if that gives access to wiring. It could be a spot to put a switch in for it also.
I'll remember your procedure when it comes time to install mine! Thanks for the tip!
__________________
2010 Itasca Sunova 33C (a lot of modifications)
2004 Jeep Rubicon, 34K miles (highly modified)
Three cats and the wife
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02-03-2015, 07:08 AM
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#12
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Avon, OH
Posts: 20
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WOW - Amazing responses. Thanks everyone! Looks like I have a project.
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Andy Haiduck
2014 Vista 35B
2010 GMC Terrain Toad
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02-03-2015, 10:50 AM
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#13
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Winnebago Camper
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aauummm
On my unit there is a blank cover plate on the inside wall by the door that is right about even with the outside assist handle.
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On our Vista there was an aluminum stud between the access hole behind the cover plate and the mounting location of the grab handle. I just drilled an angled hole in the stud and installed a short length of 1/4" vinyl tubing thru the sidewall to protect the wiring.
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Wild Bill
2013 Winnebago Vista 30T, UltraTrac rear trac bar
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02-03-2015, 11:00 AM
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#14
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Altoona, Iowa
Posts: 419
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WBandJ
On our Vista there was an aluminum stud between the access hole behind the cover plate and the mounting location of the grab handle. I just drilled an angled hole in the stud and installed a short length of 1/4" vinyl tubing thru the sidewall to protect the wiring.
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Ah ha! Ok, now I have the whole procedure laid out in my mind. It's a piece of cake. I'll wait for warmer weather and get it done. I'm thinking of doing a couple of other things in that area at the same time. One is better/more step-well lighting and a LED strip to better illuminate the exterior steps. I think that the OEM yellow step light can be improved upon. Thanks!
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2010 Itasca Sunova 33C (a lot of modifications)
2004 Jeep Rubicon, 34K miles (highly modified)
Three cats and the wife
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02-03-2015, 08:14 PM
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#15
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 2,044
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Our OEM handle(says Ultimate on it vertically) has a 12" LED strip light inside,top to bottom. That's when I discovered LED's have been used by Winnebago at least since May 2000. I have no idea if they are still available from W.
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2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA 1SG, retired;PPA,Good Sam Life member,FMCA. "We the people are the rightful masters of both the Congress and the Courts - not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow men who pervert the Constitution." Abraham Lincoln
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02-05-2015, 06:56 AM
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#16
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Winnebago Watcher
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1
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I just purchased this led bulb and socket from O'Reilly for $12. Used a plastic lid to make a bushing to hold it in the handle base. Works like a champ.
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'02 Tiffin Phaeton 330 CAT
'02 Chevrolet Tracker Toad
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02-06-2015, 03:41 PM
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#17
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 121
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I took my grab bar off of my 2013 vista to look n see what this job looked like. The inside was full of water. Anyone else have this? I guess i need to caulk when i put it back together.
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02-06-2015, 03:47 PM
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#18
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Winnie-Wise
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 486
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Problem could have been it was too caulked before, trapping water in the fixture. You might think of adding a drain hole or at least a small gap in the caulking at the bottom of each piece to allow water to drain.
__________________
Bob & Donna
'98 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager DP being pushed by a '00 Beetle TDI
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02-06-2015, 04:39 PM
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#19
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Winnebago Owner
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 121
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Good call, a drain hole in the bottom sounds like the plan
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02-07-2015, 08:40 AM
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#20
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Winnebago Master
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Full-timer/volunteer w/SOWERS
Posts: 2,734
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Quote:
Originally Posted by haiduan
Has anyone added lighting to the outside grab bar on a 2014 Vista? It has chrome ends and acrylic or Lucite middle with what appears to be fiber optic threads running through it. I'd like to wire it into the porch light circuit. The picture is sideways.
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Hi Andy. The material looks the same as used on my Meridian. I did the upgrade on my coach. The LED is available from several sources. I'll try to post one before I finish this post. Your biggest problem is finding power. If you have a console behind the handle you are golden. If you wish to power it from the porch light switch and it is located behind the handle area it is even better.
(Found the part: LED Replacement Light for Illumagrip Assist Handles, 86430-LED Assembly. You could look for this at Radio Shack.)
The light is mounted in the bottom of the arm. It is less likely to fill with water. It slips into the chrome handle and can be held in place with a small piece of foam rubber or something like that. Drill a hole through the coach wall large enough for the wires to fit. Use a good caulking when putting the handle back on. You can put some aluminum foil in the upper handle as a reflector. It may oxidize with moisture over time.
I hope you can do this upgrade. Looking forward to your success post.
Rick Y
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Rick & Melissa Young & Dawson (RIP), 2011 Meridian 40U, FL XCL, ISL 380HP/DEF, Al 3000 MH, 2014 Honda CR-V, SMI AF1, Blue Ox TruCenter & tow equip.,EEZTire TPMS.
Servants On Wheels Ever Ready. Best job we ever paid to do . (full time volunteers)
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