Door Switch for Ceiling Lights

[laverdur]

My Monty came with a spring-loaded switch on the hinge side of the entry door. The switch turns on three ceiling lights in the galley area when the door is open. Unfortunately, the switch has failed twice due to excessive heat. While replacing the switch this last time I measured the current that the switch has to handle and it was 7 amps. The switch is only rated at 5 amps. No wonder it has been failing. My solution was to replace those three ceiling lights with LED fixtures. Now the current is less than one amp. Barring a pure mechanical failure, I'm hoping that I have replaced the switch for the last time.

[BuilderBob]

Sounds like you did the right thing! LED are the best way to go any how.

[Mudchief]

You should not have any problems now.

[wal_mart]

I also ran the lights thru a 20 second delay. lights stay on for 20 seconds after door closes.

[beeje]

I also have a unit with that door switch. The previous owners already switched every light to LED, so no issue there. The only thing that bugged me is the fact that the lights would come on in the day time when they are not needed (we boon dock a lot). I fixed that issue by intercepting the wires to the door switch and installed another switch on the wall very near the door switch so that in the day time I can turn it off preventing the lights from coming on in day light.