Step light switch contact corrosion

subkron
subkron Member Posts: 203
edited May 2023 in Battery/Electrical & Solar
I started to take a look at how/where to place an on/off switch for the step light (would like to shut off at night) and noticed corrosion on the exposed 0.25" tabs of the step light switch.  It is under the step and exposed to all environmental conditions. The fastons will make for a gastight electrical connection but I would think over a (relatively short) period of time this will fail.  After I clean off the tabs & contacts, I'm thinking about sliding some shrink tubing back over the fastons, making the connection and then putting on some dielectric grease. Then push up the shrink tube and heat a bit to hold.

Any idea if this is the normal production method used or was it a temporary, maybe missing more "appropriate" parts?  Just seems to invite failure.  Any other ideas?  


2022 T@B 400 Boondock
2015 RAM 1500 Outdoorsman Quad Cab
South Jersey

Comments

  • rfuss928
    rfuss928 Member Posts: 1,181
    edited May 2023
    That is the same installation as mine - totally stock.  The grease and shrink tubing sounds like a good solution.   I solved the step light switch challenge with a motion sensor replacement light...
    https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/17065/motion-sensor-step-light#latest
    Have fun!

  • DM159
    DM159 Member Posts: 54
    2022 TAB400 and one of the step light switch external contacts have corroded thru.  We appreciate the blue light at night to find the step when we go out to star gaze.  Just need a replacement switch now.  Anyone have an idea where to source one?  Many thanks. 
    2023 TAB 400 with modifications in process.

  • rh5555
    rh5555 Member Posts: 536
    DM159 said:
    2022 TAB400 and one of the step light switch external contacts have corroded thru.  We appreciate the blue light at night to find the step when we go out to star gaze.  Just need a replacement switch now.  Anyone have an idea where to source one?  Many thanks. 
    https://a.co/d/dedT6ul
    Roger and Sue Hill | 2020 T@B400 Boondock (Cryst@bel) | 2022 Land Rover Defender 110 - P400 | San Juan Island, WA
  • bjn2
    bjn2 Member Posts: 123
    I've ordered a red led step light from etrailer and plan to replace the blue one on our 2023 320s bd. A light is nice, but I want to preserve night vision for stargazing. I was considering adding a switch to control the light so I can turn it off with the step extended, but that's much more work so I'm trying this first.
    Utah-based
    2023 T@B 320 S Boondock
  • Bill&Suze
    Bill&Suze Member Posts: 175
    rh5555 said:
    DM159 said:
    2022 TAB400 and one of the step light switch external contacts have corroded thru.  We appreciate the blue light at night to find the step when we go out to star gaze.  Just need a replacement switch now.  Anyone have an idea where to source one?  Many thanks. 
    https://a.co/d/dedT6ul
    That item appears to plug into house current.
    Susan & Bill, Yarmouth, Maine
    2024 T@B 400 Boondock Black Canyon
    2024 Kia EV9
  • rh5555
    rh5555 Member Posts: 536
    rh5555 said:
    https://a.co/d/dedT6ul
    That item appears to plug into house current.

    Yes, indeed it can work with house current.  Low voltage LED lights are a lot less demanding so the unit works fine here too - until it wears out or gets soaked and corrodes.

    Roger and Sue Hill | 2020 T@B400 Boondock (Cryst@bel) | 2022 Land Rover Defender 110 - P400 | San Juan Island, WA

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