Porch Light - Montana Owners Club

JMG · 11-29-2008, 07:49 AM

At night,it is so dark when we get back to the Monty, I have trouble seeing key hole and/or the steps. Has anyone added an exterior porch/step light with on/off switch outside? If so, how did you do it?
jmg

HamRad · 11-29-2008, 08:26 AM

JMG,

Several folks have added devices to help with this problem. You can do some searching or perhaps someone will be by soon to let you know what they did.

Good luck.
HamRad

stiles watson · 11-29-2008, 01:14 PM

Adding the lights is a good idea. Until you do, you might consider leaving the amber outside light on for your return.

hookman · 11-29-2008, 01:24 PM

If there isn't enough light from the amber lens you could put in a clear lens.

EagleRunner · 11-30-2008, 05:42 PM

JMG,

I purchased three LED Motion Sensor lights from Harbor Freight. I set them to automatic mode and place them under the trailer so when walking by they automatically come on. Not only do they provide helpful lighting when returning to the RV in the dark, they also keep the critters away. Racoons didn't stick around after I put them up. Here is a link to the ones I purchased.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=95276

garyka · 12-01-2008, 12:10 AM

There's some ideas posted under additions and improvements dated Sept 07 on this subject.

Ozz · 12-01-2008, 01:08 AM

I bought two for $25.00 each, another brand, probably not any better than the Harbor Freight, I wish I would have known about them, I got mine last year, maybe the H.F. units were not out then.
They really work good, just enough light. Good job, Tom.
Ozz

exav8tr · 12-01-2008, 02:17 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by EagleRunner

JMG,

I purchased three LED Motion Sensor lights from Harbor Freight. I set them to automatic mode and place them under the trailer so when walking by they automatically come on. Not only do they provide helpful lighting when returning to the RV in the dark, they also keep the critters away. Racoons didn't stick around after I put them up. Here is a link to the ones I purchased.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=95276

Tom, I have been looking for something like this. How do they mount to rig???? AND do you drive with them attached or take them down???

CanDo · 12-01-2008, 02:48 AM

Tom, these look just perfect. Gonna order a couple today to put under the Christmas Tree! Thanks for the gift idea, Chris

Shooterdad · 12-01-2008, 05:10 AM

JMG , there is a light that you can put over your entry with a motion sensor in it . It replaces your current porch light, it is called a "Smart Light" and they are available at www.coilnwrap.com , they have lots of fun gadgets for your RV and they are good to deal with. The lights are a little spendy but they work well.....Scott

garyka · 12-02-2008, 01:36 AM

Eaglerunner;
How did you attach the led lights from harbor freight?

Steve and Brenda · 12-04-2008, 04:48 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Shooterdad

JMG , there is a light that you can put over your entry with a motion sensor in it . It replaces your current porch light, it is called a "Smart Light" and they are available at www.coilnwrap.com , they have lots of fun gadgets for your RV and they are good to deal with. The lights are a little spendy but they work well.....Scott

Wow, $90 for a light. They sure are proud of their product

EagleRunner · 12-07-2008, 04:31 PM

exav8tr and garyka,
I didn't attach them to the Montana, just sat them on the ground below it. They do have a mounting hole for hanging but couldn't seem to find a way to mount them with any success. Other than having to remember to pick them up before leaving, they work just fine.

Ozz,
I purchased mine about about a year ago from the local H.F. store. The first time I went in to buy them they were out of them but had them back in within a month. They often go on sale but the sale price is always around $4.99, never seen them cheaper.

exav8tr · 12-08-2008, 08:18 AM

Well I sprung for the Smart Light from Coil N'Wrap. Got it yesterday and installed it today. Easy enough install, even for a non electrical guy, although I turned the batt cut off key to off, the light was still operable so I pulled the two 30 amp fuses in the power panel. They send good instructions and you can even adjust the sensitivity of the motion sensor with dip switches. They even included both a clear and amber bulb. I intalled the clear. Will have to wait until dark to see how the motion sensor works. Seems like a pretty good unit, albeit plastic, but what isn't anymore.

Would still like to put something under the stairs and inside on the first step. Will probably order those above also. Hey, as someone says, "It's only money"!!!

Delaine and Lindy · 12-08-2008, 09:21 AM

Phil, good info will ask the Treasury Sec. to see if our budget will handle this before Christmas or after. My light now is just to bright so we don't use it. We do have a light under the steps also but when you return after dark its kinda hard to see the door lock. Also were you able to use the existing holes or did you drill? Thanks. GBY....

Shooterdad · 12-08-2008, 10:20 AM

Hello Phil , I am glad you like the Smart Light , I also have a site where you can get lights for your interior steps to the bedroom as well as lights for your outside steps.It is www.rvsurestep.com ,I have not had any experience with the exterior lights for your steps , but I have the Night Owl lites inside , and they work great. I have had them about six months and have not changed the batteries yet. Did coilnwrap have any other gadgets you coudn't live without? Have a good day ...Scott Phil , come to think of it I thought I saw the Night Owl Lights at Camping World the other day , so if you are interested in them you might look at CW online ....Scott

mail2us · 12-08-2008, 11:19 AM

Shooterdad presented a great alternative to the factory lighting on our unit and it looks impressive. It is not cheap as he stated, but googling for the Smart Light 1000 does allow for some other order companies that maybe cheaper for the same product. fyi. Dennis

Delaine and Lindy · 12-08-2008, 11:39 AM

Well Phil, I just ordered the Smart Light. I hope it gets here before we go back to Gulf Shores. As soon as I showed it to Delaine, she said order it and I always do what she tells me. GBY...

Shooterdad · 12-08-2008, 11:42 AM

Dennis ,thanks for your reply, I know that I could have gotten mine a lttle cheaper, but I really try to support the small business guy if I can . They are good people that attend a lot of shows and they sell lots of little things that we as RVers can use on a daily basis. I would hate to see them end up like so many other RV related businesses these days , and ten bucks or so won't break the bank.Thanks ...Scott

exav8tr · 12-08-2008, 12:03 PM

WHAT A LIGHT, Just open the door on auto and on it goes. I put in the clear light so now have plenty of light on the stairs. You can take it out of auto mode and have it on all the time as a regular porch light or leave it off. I think the auto mode will be the one I leave it in. If anyone gets close the light will come on.....I recommend it so far......Will watch it over the next few days........Lindy, Mine was delivered in two days........

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