BAC Forum

General Boards => Technical Support => Topic started by: Paul Champagne on October 27, 2015, 12:53:59 AM

Title: Front door handle light
Post by: Paul Champagne on October 27, 2015, 12:53:59 AM
My lighted Glass door handle on my 2006 Thunder went out last night what is involved in changing the lamp on this?
Is it an easy change?

Thanks
Paul
Title: Re: front door handle light
Post by: Lee Welbanks on October 27, 2015, 02:03:38 AM
It is actually really easy, I had to replace one on the inside handle, ordered the light from BCS, they have them in stock or I should say should have them.
Just unscrew the handle mounts top and bottom and the light will be in one end and it slips right out, I think the new light came with plug connectors but I cut them off and used small butt connectors.
Title: Re: front door handle light
Post by: Joel Ashley on October 27, 2015, 03:33:38 AM
Thanks Lee.  My outside one isn't out, but seems awfully dim... can't even make out the black "Beaver" lettering on it.  Looks like the light is in the top end, but is so dim it's hard to tell for certain.

-Joel
Title: Re: front door handle light
Post by: Orman Claxton on October 27, 2015, 03:44:02 AM
I changed over to LED Lights
Cooler, Brighter
 
Title: Re: front door handle light
Post by: Paul Champagne on October 27, 2015, 05:53:52 AM
Hi Lee

What type of bulb is in there something a local Napa would carry?

Thanks

Paul
Title: Re: front door handle light
Post by: JCMillerSr on November 01, 2015, 12:40:25 PM
Soon after we purchased our coach I found the door handle bulb did not work.  The replacement bulb in ours was a #8918 Eiko 1.4w .1amp 14v TI Midget Flanged Base bulb.  Found replacements at www.1000bulbs.com for $ .20 each. 
Title: Re: front door handle light
Post by: Lee Welbanks on November 01, 2015, 02:23:00 PM
Paul,

I order the replacement assy from Amazon $11.42. ITC Marine #864030 assy quick and very easy.

http://www.amazon.com/ITC-86430-LED-ASSEM-DB-Replacement-IllumaGrip/dp/B00K779EH6/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1426091678&sr=1-1&keywords=86430-LED+ASSEM-DB

Instructions

http://www.itc-marine.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/03/ITC-_86420__86433__86435__86436__IllumaGrip_LED_Replacement_Instructions.pdf
Title: Re: front door handle light
Post by: Joel Ashley on November 01, 2015, 09:55:07 PM
Thanks Lee.  Perhaps the dim one (the outside bar) on our coach is incandescent.  I'll have to check it and maybe switch to that LED unit.  Could also be the exterior one has a bit of resistance from corrosion, whether LED or incan.  The crystal on it looks a bit weather-worn too.  A little Aerospace 303 protectant was tempting, but that would compromise the grip.

Joel
Title: Re: front door handle light
Post by: Bob Stone on November 02, 2015, 10:18:09 AM
I believe I mentioned this last year: the bulb in my exterior handle burned out and I replaced the bulb with about an inch of LED strip lighting. I also replaced the very weathered and cracked acrylic handle with piece of appropriately sized acrylic rod purchased on eBay for about $5. A little rasping to bevel one end is all that was required.


The most useful discovery was the inside handle did not have a light even though the wiring was there. Another inch of strip LED now lights the inside handle which makes finding the door latch much easier to find at night.
Title: Re: front door handle light
Post by: Lee Welbanks on November 02, 2015, 01:24:22 PM
I believe I mentioned this last year: the bulb in my exterior handle burned out and I replaced the bulb with about an inch of LED strip lighting. I also replaced the very weathered and cracked acrylic handle with piece of appropriately sized acrylic rod purchased on eBay for about $5. A little rasping to bevel one end is all that was required.


The most useful discovery was the inside handle did not have a light even though the wiring was there. Another inch of strip LED now lights the inside handle which makes finding the door latch much easier to find at night.

Led strip, that is a good idea, with the handle being hollow one could run a strip all the way through, would have to play with the brightness a bit.
Title: Re: front door handle light
Post by: Bob Stone on November 02, 2015, 04:13:30 PM
A piece of LED strip lights inserted in the handle would certainly make it bright however, at least on mine, the Rod is solid - not hollow.