Motion Detecting Lights - Montana Owners Club

MS 2018 Montana · 12-06-2020, 04:16 PM

Hi all! I really enjoy and value this forum for the help it brings! We love our Monty but would enjoy it more if the stairs would have motion detecting lights. I almost broke my neck twice going down those steps at night! Our rig is a 2018 so we don’t have those fancy 12V lights installed at each step. I would really prefer getting a set of those 12V lights that I found on Amazon but don’t know how or where to get the wires to connect them. Would any of you have that info? We have tried battery powered lights but they are cheaply made and the 3 AAA batteries don’t last. Thanks for all the help you can bring on this one.

JDDilly · 12-06-2020, 05:59 PM

Not sure what your floor plan is like, but most have the stairs by the underbelly storage area. There is most of the time your furnace, water heater and or water pump close by. You should be able to find a 12v hot lead close to wire one in.

MS 2018 Montana · 12-06-2020, 07:14 PM

Thanks for that. We have a 2018 3000RE Legacy. As we come in, the stairs are right there on my right. The fuses and transformer are left of the stairs. Is there a way to run a cable to connect those lights in the back of that transformer?

RMcNeal · 12-07-2020, 03:47 AM

Actually, yes. The fuse panel and converter are very close so you can tap power a foot or two away. The LED style lights use very little power. You should be able to get to the back side by removing a panel in the basement on the door side.

MS 2018 Montana · 12-07-2020, 06:53 AM

Thanks for the info. When we get back to Florida at the end of the month, I will look into that.

beeje · 12-08-2020, 08:20 PM

I would not go through all of that trouble. Just go to Lowes/homedepot and pick up some battery operated LED stick on motion lights. They work great. Been using them for years. We have one by the steps and one in the bathroom. No need to fumble around finding a switch in the middle of the night.

MS 2018 Montana · 12-09-2020, 07:16 AM

Thanks for the info. We have 3 battery operated LED motion detecting lights stuck on the stair wall right now. We don’t like them. They eat up the 3 AAA batteries real fast and they are not very efficient. They don’t work consistently....I have to open them up regularly and play with the battery instal to get them working again...very cheaply made! But I will definitely check the ones at Lowe’s/Home Depot that you mentioned. Your right, much simpler fix then a wired one...if they work well!

beeje · 12-09-2020, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MS 2018 Montana

Thanks for the info. We have 3 battery operated LED motion detecting lights stuck on the stair wall right now. We don’t like them. They eat up the 3 AAA batteries real fast and they are not very efficient. They don’t work consistently....I have to open them up regularly and play with the battery instal to get them working again...very cheaply made! But I will definitely check the ones at Lowe’s/Home Depot that you mentioned. Your right, much simpler fix then a wired one...if they work well!

Yeah I hear you the first set of Lights I had operated like you're describing. The ones I have now work fine.
Maybe try 120 volt motion night light in an outlet close to their stairs. Only reason I chose battery is because we do a considerable amount of boondocking with no hookups

deb50jean · 12-13-2020, 02:50 PM

Check out the motion detector lights that have a USB charge. They are awesome! I bought several through Amazon that I use in the dark areas (cupboards) in our 5th wheel. When needed you just recharge them like you do your phone. They stay charged a long time. I'm sure they have some that can be used outside. The ones I bought are magnetic so you could remove them and bring them inside when you're transporting the unit.

Zinnman · 12-13-2020, 03:17 PM

Thanks

I added this above my steps. Very pleased.

Neloodony Solar Lights Outdoor, Wireless 28 LED Motion Sensor Solar Lights with Dark Sensing Auto On/Off, Easy Install Waterproof Security Lights for Front Door, Back Yard, Driveway, Garage (4 Pack)

bcrvman · 12-13-2020, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MS 2018 Montana

Hi all! I really enjoy and value this forum for the help it brings! We love our Monty but would enjoy it more if the stairs would have motion detecting lights. I almost broke my neck twice going down those steps at night! Our rig is a 2018 so we don’t have those fancy 12V lights installed at each step. I would really prefer getting a set of those 12V lights that I found on Amazon but don’t know how or where to get the wires to connect them. Would any of you have that info? We have tried battery powered lights but they are cheaply made and the 3 AAA batteries don’t last. Thanks for all the help you can bring on this one.

My 2018 monty has the inCommand and it has a touch button for exterior lights. That will turn on an orange light behind the stairs that works quite well. I might have swapped the bulb for a LED version, I don't remember.

Drdon1057 · 12-14-2020, 02:19 AM

Hi what I have done is use the wiring that goes to your outside light at the door. I bought a 12v motion switch from Amazon they are about one inch by 2. I took and drilled a small hole in the bottom of entry light and added the controller. At first I had it just connected to yellow side light on rig. Then I found a 12v spot light and wired that in. I just turn the outside light switch on and your ready to go. We also have the same set up on our light in water closet. I spliced the wires going into the light and added the motion detector so when we get up in the middle of night you open the door and the light comes on. When I get back to our 3000rk I will post some picture. Just an idea.

MS 2018 Montana · 12-14-2020, 04:04 AM

Thanks for this! I would love to see pictures of your installation. Have you wired any motion detecting lights for the indoor steps? If so, how did you do it? Where did you connect these lights? If you have pictures of that instal, I would like to see them.

Dmelvin · 12-14-2020, 02:22 PM

I fell down mine as well. No injuries thank goodness. I put a clear LED rope light on the ground underneath the camper (50’). I keep it on all the time. Cheap, easy fix

Drdon1057 · 12-14-2020, 07:58 PM

Hi this is the sensor I used.
Brand: Sensky
4.3 out of 5 stars 153Reviews
Sensky BS009 12V 24V PIR Sensor LED Motion Sensor Switch Motion Timer Function Sign Control PIR Controller LED Strips Lighting
Amazon's 9.99. I will over the winter take some pictures for you. If you look at this it's very easy to install. Good Luck and Happy Trails

DebNJim B · 12-17-2020, 05:37 AM

I got these for our rig and like them very much.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Our main switch panel is just inside our back door so I put one up above the door. It comes on with motion and goes off after about 30 seconds. Give enough light to find the lights when you enter in the dark. Bonus, lights the way also for those night time bathroom trips.

I got a second one and put it under the steps to come on when you approach at night.

Charge with a USB charger and it lasts for weeks.

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