TWO electrical questions

Journey cat · 06-12-2020, 12:34 PM

I have a 2005 Winnebago Journey . Model 34H.

First is a light in the bathroom under the cabinet along side of the sink .
There is a light I never knew was there . I come to find out there is no bulb in it.

Does anyone know what bulb should be in there ? And , how is it turned on or off ? As I cant find a switch for it unless its tied into another fixture !

Second is an item I found in the coach . That I have not a clue of what its for .

Any help will greatly be appreciated .

BobC · 06-12-2020, 12:59 PM

The mystery item is supposed to be installed in your carbon monoxide alarm, presumably to activate it. Whether or not it's still good is anybody's guess. Personally I'd install a new, carbon monoxide alarm.

Morich · 06-12-2020, 01:06 PM

I'm not connecting the pictures all together. What does the last pic tell/ show us? Was it part of the light? I might think that was involved with something like the CO2 or smoke detector?
Meanwhile I did a look at the parts catalogs for any extra and found there are three different lines showing for the light at that lo9cation:
5* 123775-01-01A EA LIGHT - HALOGEN - ROUND
5* 123775-01-02A EA LIGHT - HALOGEN - ROUND - SATIN NICKEL - STAINLESS STEEL PKG
5 123917-01-000 EA BULB - 12V - HALOGEN SPOT
It is item number five and appears to have different part numbers but all agree it is a 12volt halogen which may get you past the question of what bulb. I might guess it is controlled on a circuit with other lights in the bath but I would not want to go back with halogen but change to 12volt LED for less battery used and cooler running.
Personal choice on that!

**ThomB** · 06-12-2020, 01:17 PM

For the light fixture I'd see if you have 12v power there and swap out the halogen bulb/fixture for an LED that will draw less power and give off less heat.

Journey cat · 06-12-2020, 02:30 PM

Bob ,
When you say carbon monoxide alarm . Are you talking about the thing below the refrigerator ? If so I dont think it belongs to this one

All others , I would use LED as all other lights have been converted . I see no reason to put a bulb in it at all . Unless it operates with a separate switch , to use as a night light

Morich · 06-12-2020, 03:43 PM

Likely to have more detectors. That would be the propane gas detector but there should also be a carbon monoxide and fire or smoke detectors somewhere.
Possible there are any clues in the directions that I think I see in the plastic? If they were real nice they might even show a picture of where it goes??

Journey cat · 06-12-2020, 09:36 PM

I purchased the coach from the Original Owner . There is a smoke alarm on the ceiling . But that is alll I know of in the years ive owned it .
This forced me to open the package . And now I have more curiosity as to what it may be for

RVwithDogs · 06-13-2020, 05:44 AM

BobC is right, that looks like part of the CO detector, may be on the ceiling in the bedroom area , open it up and see if it has a place for that thing.

Morich · 06-13-2020, 07:36 AM

Considered doing a search for the info you have. like the part number or folks who built it?
If you've not checked the items we've mentioned, now might be a good time! Getting caught in an RV with a smoldering fire and non-working detectors is not going to turn out well.

tderonne · 06-13-2020, 07:46 AM

I think you pretty much have it. Halogen light fixture, bulb looks like it'd be a "G4".

And a smoke or CO detector ("sensor") battery.

Morich · 06-13-2020, 08:00 AM

You can buy another one here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/BATTERY-SEN...-/122849183730
Just in case?

BobC · 06-13-2020, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Journey cat

Bob ,
When you say carbon monoxide alarm . Are you talking about the thing below the refrigerator ? If so I dont think it belongs to this one

All others , I would use LED as all other lights have been converted . I see no reason to put a bulb in it at all . Unless it operates with a separate switch , to use as a night light

The one in the photo is a propane, not carbon monoxide detector. As other's have suggested, the carbon monoxide detector will be either ceiling or wall mounted. For example First Alert recommends replacement after five years. Therefore my recommendation is to find your's and replace it with a new unit.

Morich · 06-13-2020, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobC

The one in the photo is a propane, not carbon monoxide detector. As other's have suggested, the carbon monoxide detector will be either ceiling or wall mounted. For example First Alert recommends replacement after five years. Therefore my recommendation is to find your's and replace it with a new unit.

Bob makes a super good point here and we all should jerk our heads up and think about what he said. CO does do a silent job of killing and we should actually do lots better at changing the detectors out.
Is it really a smart move to save $20 but risk dying? CO does not come around and wake you, it kills you and then lets somebody else try to wake you!
Gas in RVs is a serious threat due to numerous sources in a confined space.

Journey cat · 06-13-2020, 11:54 AM

Well said !
I found instructions . Unknown to me or some reason the battery was installed backwards . The O ,O well into his 80's was having certain electrical issues . Many things were dis connected . Over time and new replacement batteries , all 5 . Ive got things working again . My bad on this though . I never gave it a second look . Ill be addressing this . And if needed it will be replaced . Although I do not believe the mystery , Battery sensor belongs to this ! From what Ive read on the net . Included are a few pictures Thanks to all / Bob , you nailed it !

Morich · 06-13-2020, 12:53 PM

It's funny how we often get into doing bad things with safety equipment like these. I used to have rental property and always made certain the smoke detectors had batteries and were working, even to showing new tenants how to test and how to replace batteries.
I didn't want the place burning down!
But that still was not enough because on the one real emergency when a fellow came home and decided to put a pan of bacon on before he passed out, the only clean white spot on the ceiling was the smoke detector, showing he put it back up AFTER the smoke blackened the whole ceiling!

Journey cat · 06-13-2020, 02:56 PM

Well , it works as it should . I blew the dust out of it with some compressed air . Replaced the battery with a new one . Tested ed it and it seems to operate just as the instructions say.
I do know the previous owner towed an auto . Just maybe the mystery sensor had something to do with that ?

Morich · 06-13-2020, 04:35 PM

No way to explain the odd bits and pieces we may find. Maybe a camper next door donated it to him as it didn't fit their RV? Bad Amazon purchase?
I go with the theory that the dealer left it there just so they could giggle thinking about your confusion!

Oldchinahand · 06-17-2020, 08:33 PM

Back to your light question. Our 2007 SE has the same puck light. It is connected to the same switch that turns on your mirror lights.

That halogen bulb was way too hot, IMHO, for that location, plus a huge battery draw. $12 and an hour to replace it with an LED puck light.

Similar situation with that halogen ocular light above the one stop panel. Too hot for comfort. And, didn't light up the panel well. Replaced it with a rectangular light fixture matching the other ceiling fixtures (and fixtures in cargo compartments). $8. LED again. Now have usable light over one stop panel.

(Two lights. That's why it took an hour)😉

Fair Winds and Following Seas

Ken Mitchell · 06-17-2020, 09:25 PM

You got it Bob, get rid of the halogen. Switch to LED.

Goodspike · 06-18-2020, 07:25 AM

I haven't fully digested all the posts here, but I would point out that CO detectors stop functioning after about 7 years of use. They are not like smoke detectors which will go on indefinitely with impaired functionality. They stop entirely and should be replaced. Most give some sort of signal when they stop.