Basic Electrical question

[ebirder2000@...]

John.
First off I have to beg ignorance to 73 birds so take my suggestion with
that in mind. My 79 coach has three circuit strips that are fused feeds to the
coach systems. Actually they are circuit breakers not fuses.
Two of these circuit strips are on (hot) all the time and one of the strips
is hot when the ignition switch is on. These breaker strips are located
behind the drivers side headlights which requires opening the door held by 10 or
so bolts on the front panel.
Again your coach might differ but this would be a convenient place to access
switched power. One thought as I am writing this is that I am having a hard
time understanding why they would want "key on" power for a step switch. I
would think that you would want the step to work the same if the key is on or
not.

Steve Anderson
79FC35
Poulsbo. Wa






In a message dated 8/13/2007 6:39:50 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
jehdds@... writes:




My Kwikee Step has landed and I bolted them up to the bus yesterday and
started to review the wiring diagram. I believe I have some
understanding but were do I go to get a connection which is hot only
when the ignition is on? I would assume there is a fuse box some place
perhaps under the dash. I haven't come across it. I have one wire
which is hot all the time which I guess can go directly to the battery
with a fuse inline and then one to the ignition. I obviously don't
know a lot about vehicle electrics so some basic information needed.
Thanks again in advance. This is likely my last major improvement at
least in the short term.

John Heckman
Central Pa
73 FC (converted to Cat diesel)









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[ebirder2000@...]

Thanks for the explanation Don.
Steve

In a message dated 8/13/2007 8:07:39 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
bluethunder@... writes:




Typically steps have a Key-on/door-Typically steps have a
Key-on/door-closed/retract function. Only way to tell that is to have
(among other things)
one w

Don Bradner
90 PT40 "Blue Thunder"
Eureka, CA

On 8/13/2007 at 10:40 AM _ebirder2000@ebirder_ (mailto:ebirder2000@...)
wrote:

>I am having a hard
>time understanding why they would want "key on" power for a step switch. I
>
>would think that you would want the step to work the same if the key is on
>or not.









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[ebirder2000@...]

Access is from the outside in front of the coach. Does the 73 have the
access doors?

Steve

In a message dated 8/13/2007 9:00:31 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
jehdds@... writes:




There are a couple ways to wire the step. Steve, could you expand on
the location of this door and panel. Are you accessing this from the
outside or inside of the coach. Sorry to be so uniformed.
John Heckman
central Pa
1973 fc
>
>
> John.
> First off I have to beg ignorance to 73 birds so take my suggestion
with
> that in mind. My 79 coach has three circuit strips that are fused
feeds to the
> coach systems. Actually they are circuit breakers not fuses.
> Two of these circuit strips are on (hot) all the time and one of
the strips
> is hot when the ignition switch is on. These breaker strips are
located
> behind the drivers side headlights which requires opening the door
held by 10 or
> so bolts on the front panel.
> Again your coach might differ but this would be a convenient place
to access
> switched power. One thought as I am writing this is that I am
having a hard
> time understanding why they would want "key on" power for a step
switch. I
> would think that you would want the step to work the same if the
key is on or
> not.
>
> Steve Anderson
> 79FC35
> Poulsbo. Wa
>
>
>
>
>
>
> In a message dated 8/13/2007 6:39:50 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
> jehdds@... writes:
>
>
>
>
> My Kwikee Step has landed and I bolted them up to the bus yesterday
and
> started to review the wiring diagram. I believe I have some
> understanding but were do I go to get a connection which is hot
only
> when the ignition is on? I would assume there is a fuse box some
place
> perhaps under the dash. I haven't come across it. I have one wire
> which is hot all the time which I guess can go directly to the
battery
> with a fuse inline and then one to the ignition. I obviously don't
> know a lot about vehicle electrics so some basic information
needed.
> Thanks again in advance. This is likely my last major improvement
at
> least in the short term.
>
> John Heckman
> Central Pa
> 73 FC (converted to Cat diesel)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ************ **** **** **************************
new AOL at
> _http://discover.http://discovehttp://disco_
(http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour)
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>









************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at
http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[bubblerboy64]

My Kwikee Step has landed and I bolted them up to the bus yesterday and
started to review the wiring diagram. I believe I have some
understanding but were do I go to get a connection which is hot only
when the ignition is on? I would assume there is a fuse box some place
perhaps under the dash. I haven't come across it. I have one wire
which is hot all the time which I guess can go directly to the battery
with a fuse inline and then one to the ignition. I obviously don't
know a lot about vehicle electrics so some basic information needed.
Thanks again in advance. This is likely my last major improvement at
least in the short term.

John Heckman
Central Pa
73 FC (converted to Cat diesel)

[Don Bradner]

Typically steps have a Key-on/door-closed/retract function. Only way to tell
that is to have (among other things) one wire come from a key-on power source.

Don Bradner
90 PT40 "Blue Thunder"
Eureka, CA

On 8/13/2007 at 10:40 AM ebirder2000@... wrote:

>I am having a hard
>time understanding why they would want "key on" power for a step switch. I
>
>would think that you would want the step to work the same if the key is on
>or not.

[bubblerboy64]

There are a couple ways to wire the step. Steve, could you expand on
the location of this door and panel. Are you accessing this from the
outside or inside of the coach. Sorry to be so uniformed.
John Heckman
central Pa
1973 fc
>
>
> John.
> First off I have to beg ignorance to 73 birds so take my suggestion
with
> that in mind. My 79 coach has three circuit strips that are fused
feeds to the
> coach systems. Actually they are circuit breakers not fuses.
> Two of these circuit strips are on (hot) all the time and one of
the strips
> is hot when the ignition switch is on. These breaker strips are
located
> behind the drivers side headlights which requires opening the door
held by 10 or
> so bolts on the front panel.
> Again your coach might differ but this would be a convenient place
to access
> switched power. One thought as I am writing this is that I am
having a hard
> time understanding why they would want "key on" power for a step
switch. I
> would think that you would want the step to work the same if the
key is on or
> not.
>
> Steve Anderson
> 79FC35
> Poulsbo. Wa
>
>
>
>
>
>
> In a message dated 8/13/2007 6:39:50 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
> jehdds@... writes:
>
>
>
>
> My Kwikee Step has landed and I bolted them up to the bus yesterday
and
> started to review the wiring diagram. I believe I have some
> understanding but were do I go to get a connection which is hot
only
> when the ignition is on? I would assume there is a fuse box some
place
> perhaps under the dash. I haven't come across it. I have one wire
> which is hot all the time which I guess can go directly to the
battery
> with a fuse inline and then one to the ignition. I obviously don't
> know a lot about vehicle electrics so some basic information
needed.
> Thanks again in advance. This is likely my last major improvement
at
> least in the short term.
>
> John Heckman
> Central Pa
> 73 FC (converted to Cat diesel)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-
new AOL at
> http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[bubblerboy64]

Steve I don't know if it has an access panel in the front or not.
I'll have to look it over this evening and see. Perhaps some one
else will chip in here before this evening. Some one who has or has
had an early coach like mine. On an aside I have come up with a name
for the coach. I am going to call her "The Big Napper" since I am
famous for taking naps and his bus allows me to do so pretty much as
needed. Had it out last week. Down to visit the daughter who is
expecting our first grandchild. I was able to park in her drive and
slept in the bus every night while helping her get the nursery area
ready for the baby. Bus is doing very well for me and I have had
only one repair to date that I could not handle myself. The refrig.
is not running consistently on propane so I have made an appointment
to have that checked out this Friday. I assume the igniter is not
sparking hard enough or the propane orifice needs cleaned. I decided
to have a professional look at that. All the rest I have managed
(with the help on my online friends) to fix myself. The major things
I have done are to replace the rear air conditioner, replace both
fans with fantastic fans, placed new captains chairs and installed
seat belts, installed a gas tank for the generator, and installed the
kwikee step, replace the sink and faucet, plus lots of interior
cosmetic stuff. This is one of those deals when you could go for
ever but at least I am to the point that I am very happy with things
as they are. Oh I must not forget the wife made new curtains for
several of the windows for me. I've had it six weeks or so. I think
I have accomplished a lot in that time.

John Heckman
central pa
"The Big Napper" 1973 FC
>
>
> Thanks for the explanation Don.
> Steve
>
> In a message dated 8/13/2007 8:07:39 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
> bluethunder@... writes:
>
>
>
>
> Typically steps have a Key-on/door-Typically steps have a
> Key-on/door-closed/retract function. Only way to tell that is
to have (among other things)
> one w
>
> Don Bradner
> 90 PT40 "Blue Thunder"
> Eureka, CA
>
> On 8/13/2007 at 10:40 AM _ebirder2000@ebirder_
(mailto:ebirder2000@...)
> wrote:
>
> >I am having a hard
> >time understanding why they would want "key on" power for a step
switch. I
> >
> >would think that you would want the step to work the same if the
key is on
> >or not.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-
new AOL at
> http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[bubblerboy64]

I talked to the previous owner and the fuse panel in the 73 are
located to the right of your right knee in front of the dog house
cover. He also said that there are fuses behind the upper dash panel
which he never had to get to. I wired the step with one hot wire from
the battery (with and inline fuse) and a micro switch so that it
extends and retracts when the door is opened and closed. I did not
wire in the ignition over ride or a switch to "kill" the activation.
I might in the future but I couldn't think of a reason to do so.
Seemed to me that if I was opening the door it was because I was
expecting to get into the coach and I could think of no reason why I
would want the step extended when the door was closed. Maybe some
one can give me a reason to complete the other two steps. It would
not be difficult to do but I couldn't see a need. I like the kwikee
step and it was an easy install. Drilled four holes to mount it.
Bolted it on and ran a wire or two.
John Heckman
central Pa
73 FC







>
> Steve I don't know if it has an access panel in the front or not.
> I'll have to look it over this evening and see. Perhaps some one
> else will chip in here before this evening. Some one who has or
has
> had an early coach like mine. On an aside I have come up with a
name
> for the coach. I am going to call her "The Big Napper" since I am
> famous for taking naps and his bus allows me to do so pretty much
as
> needed. Had it out last week. Down to visit the daughter who is
> expecting our first grandchild. I was able to park in her drive
and
> slept in the bus every night while helping her get the nursery area
> ready for the baby. Bus is doing very well for me and I have had
> only one repair to date that I could not handle myself. The refrig.
> is not running consistently on propane so I have made an
appointment
> to have that checked out this Friday. I assume the igniter is not
> sparking hard enough or the propane orifice needs cleaned. I
decided
> to have a professional look at that. All the rest I have managed
> (with the help on my online friends) to fix myself. The major
things
> I have done are to replace the rear air conditioner, replace both
> fans with fantastic fans, placed new captains chairs and installed
> seat belts, installed a gas tank for the generator, and installed
the
> kwikee step, replace the sink and faucet, plus lots of interior
> cosmetic stuff. This is one of those deals when you could go for
> ever but at least I am to the point that I am very happy with
things
> as they are. Oh I must not forget the wife made new curtains for
> several of the windows for me. I've had it six weeks or so. I
think
> I have accomplished a lot in that time.
>
> John Heckman
> central pa
> "The Big Napper" 1973 FC
> >
> >
> > Thanks for the explanation Don.
> > Steve
> >
> > In a message dated 8/13/2007 8:07:39 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
> > bluethunder@ writes:
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Typically steps have a Key-on/door-Typically steps have a
> > Key-on/door-closed/retract function. Only way to tell that
is
> to have (among other things)
> > one w
> >
> > Don Bradner
> > 90 PT40 "Blue Thunder"
> > Eureka, CA
> >
> > On 8/13/2007 at 10:40 AM _ebirder2000@ebirder_
> (mailto:ebirder2000@)
> > wrote:
> >
> > >I am having a hard
> > >time understanding why they would want "key on" power for a
step
> switch. I
> > >
> > >would think that you would want the step to work the same if
the
> key is on
> > >or not.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the
all-
> new AOL at
> > http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>

[davidkerryedwards]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bubblerboy64" wrote:
With my air steps, I like the fact that I can leave the steps out all the time
at a
campground.

Kerry
82 FC 35
Denver

>
> I talked to the previous owner and the fuse panel in the 73 are
> located to the right of your right knee in front of the dog house
> cover. He also said that there are fuses behind the upper dash panel
> which he never had to get to. I wired the step with one hot wire from
> the battery (with and inline fuse) and a micro switch so that it
> extends and retracts when the door is opened and closed. I did not
> wire in the ignition over ride or a switch to "kill" the activation.
> I might in the future but I couldn't think of a reason to do so.
> Seemed to me that if I was opening the door it was because I was
> expecting to get into the coach and I could think of no reason why I
> would want the step extended when the door was closed. Maybe some
> one can give me a reason to complete the other two steps. It would
> not be difficult to do but I couldn't see a need. I like the kwikee
> step and it was an easy install. Drilled four holes to mount it.
> Bolted it on and ran a wire or two.
> John Heckman
> central Pa
> 73 FC

[bubblerboy64]

Kerry, Good point!! That's why I pay you guys big bucks for all your
help. I did not think of that but it would save a lot of wear and
tear on the motor and such wouldn't it? Guess I better finish the
job.
John Heckman
central Pa
73 FC
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bubblerboy64"
wrote:
> With my air steps, I like the fact that I can leave the steps out
all the time at a
> campground.
>
> Kerry
> 82 FC 35
> Denver
>
> >
> > I talked to the previous owner and the fuse panel in the 73 are
> > located to the right of your right knee in front of the dog house
> > cover. He also said that there are fuses behind the upper dash
panel
> > which he never had to get to. I wired the step with one hot wire
from
> > the battery (with and inline fuse) and a micro switch so that it
> > extends and retracts when the door is opened and closed. I did
not
> > wire in the ignition over ride or a switch to "kill" the
activation.
> > I might in the future but I couldn't think of a reason to do so.
> > Seemed to me that if I was opening the door it was because I was
> > expecting to get into the coach and I could think of no reason
why I
> > would want the step extended when the door was closed. Maybe
some
> > one can give me a reason to complete the other two steps. It
would
> > not be difficult to do but I couldn't see a need. I like the
kwikee
> > step and it was an easy install. Drilled four holes to mount it.
> > Bolted it on and ran a wire or two.
> > John Heckman
> > central Pa
> > 73 FC
>