Change Light Switch

jandjrich · Joined: 19 Oct 2008 Posts: 2

Our 29-foot 2007 Arctic Fox 5th wheel lights located over the dining table has the switch located on the front wall 20 feet away. Has anyone ever changed this so that the lights can be turned on and off while sitting at the table?

ndflicks · Joined: 06 Oct 2008 Posts: 44

Shouldn't be hard really. I can't picture exactly what you have in mind, but sitting at my own kitchen table (with the light switch WAY over there), 2 things come to mind: a chain on/off switch, you know the kind--think old school closet lights or ceiling fans--and a wireless. Look on eBay- 12v wireless switch. They use the keychain-type remote switches. The drop down chain switch could easily be mounted next to the fixture and just interrupt the 'hot' wire going to the fixture. If you do start tinkering around with any wiring, please be sure to cut power to anything you're working on and double check that you have. Also let others know what you're doing so they don't turn it on accidentally.
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tantamount · Joined: 15 Apr 2007 Posts: 211 Location: roaming

Are you absolutely certain that there is no switch on the fixture itself? I have never seen a 12 volt RV light fixture without one. All of ours can be controlled at a wall switch plate AND a fixture switch.

Look for a slide switch either between a set of lights or on the perimeter where the fixture meets the ceiling. If you can't find one, fitting one isn't a major chore. Let us know if you find one there first.

.\\ark

alpenliter · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 30 Location: Olympia, WA

When I replaced the silly "glitter ball" that was in my rig, I wanted to do away with the wall switch as well. I bought a standard 120v light fixture and rewired it for 12volt, and installed a push button on/off switch on the side by drilling a small hole for the switch. Then I removed the wall switch and direct wired it.