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1984 Liberty – What’s my “House Light?”
So, I have this switch…
I’m tracing 12v wiring in the front of my bus, just trying to become more familiar while cleaning up some old messes. Actually, most of the work was very well done, so I’m basically just snooping behind panels. I have a lighted rocker switch labeled “House Light” on the cabinet behind the driver that also has the switches for the overhead lights and wall fixtures. The switch lights when it’s on, but it doesn’t seem to do anything else. There is a wire coming off the breaker in that cabinet (breaker 59), but I can’t tell which way it even turns without major disassembly. Not happening without a better reason.
I always assumed that “House Light” was the “porch light” outside above the entry door, and the bulb was burned out. Now I see that the “porch light” is tied to the “entry lights” circuit (breaker 70A) that also controls two lights inside the bus. Anybody have a bus of similar vintage that can “shed some light?”
Chad
1984 96" with 8V92TA
(remodeled Liberty Coach)
Greenwood, MO -
6 Replies
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34 years old and still going strong! That’s a great tribute to Prevost and Liberty Coach.
I’m only going to guess, but could that House Light switch also control just the porch light? Can you see if those switches control relays? Entry Lights switch controls a relay that puts the two inside lights on and the porch light, House Light control a relay that puts only the porch light on? Maybe the House Light relay is bad?
Just guessing. Great to see a vintage coach still running. Gives me confidence that our 19 year old coach will run another 15 years (or more).
Let us know how this turns out for you.
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First do any of those switch do anything? If not maybe there is no power to the controls. Have you volt metered to see if the switches get 12v and pass thru switch? Maybe “house lights” is a master switch so driver can turn off all the lights. I know in my Beaver I have three master panels that either turns all lights on or off and switches for individual lights.
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All of those switches work, and there is power to the “House Lights” switch. It lights up internally when turned on. I just don’t see anything else happening. The two puck lights inside the bus (one over the driver and one over the entry steps) and the “porch light” are controlled by two switches wired as a 3-way. One switch was actually miswired, leaving the switches in series and the owner scratching his head for a bit!
The “porch light” did have a burned out bulb, but it is actually wired directly to the same terminal of a junction block with the light above the steps. No question they’re getting exactly the same juice. I am leaning toward the possibility that the “porch light” is really the “House Light” and someone chose to move it to the “Entry Light” circuit at some point. That would explain the internally-lighted switch, making it easier to see when the outside light is on. Unfortunately, I can’t find any evidence of an old wire from there to the circuit breaker, so restoring it to what I think is the original configuration isn’t so simple. Too bad, as I’d prefer it that way.
Fortunately, this is my idea of fun. 🙂
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Armed with a theory and a general sense of recklessness, I dug further this afternoon. I entirely removed the exterior light fixture (well, look – it’s a marine navigational light!) from the front cap and there they were – two wire ends on the terminals with the number 59 taped on. This confirms that the “porch light” is actually the House Light, and someone changed the wiring sometime in the last 33 years. Some finger contorting led to the severed leads for old “59” being fished from behind the upper cabinet. All is restored, and I guess I love this old girl a little bit more for giving up another secret. Thanks for the help!
1984 96" with 8V92TA
(remodeled Liberty Coach)
Greenwood, MO -
Chad,
We have 31 one more years to go to catch up to you but then I’ll be 90! I hope to still be driving then!
And, our ‘House Light’ is our porch light too.
Mark
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Just as you I find that Liberty and Prevost build a wonderful coach. Our 1996 is happiest when she is running down the road. So glad we opted for her rather than a newer sticks and staples. She is safe to ride in .glad you figured out the porch light, had the same issue here and found the same fix you did. Safe travels
Darrell
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