Entry Assist Handle Bulb

January 30, 2010, 02:02:52 pm

My entry assist handle bulb flickered for awhile, then died. After taking the handle apart, I decided to just unplug and remove the bulb until such time as I could find a replacement. That was, perhaps, a bad decision.
The next thing that happened is that I had no power to the thermostat or the panel of switches just inside of the entry door, which meant no entry light, cargo door locks, step control, etc. All this because of a blown fuse in the aft service bay.
After replacing the fuse (a 20 amp Type-2), things returned to normal- until I turned on the entry light. The light started at normal level and quickly dimmed and flickered. Remember, this is now the porch light, not the handle light. Leaving that switch off, everything else works normally.

I have two questions, one of curiosity and one of necessity: Why did removing the bulb cause those symptoms? I am sure the wire connections are not shorting out, because they have pretty good shielded connectors. That is the curiosity question.
Where can I find a replacement bulb? It needs a complete bulb assembly. That is the necessity question. Previous posts on this subject mention obtaining one from CC parts department, but that is obviously not an option now. There was also a mention of a source for a replacement of the entire handle assembly at http://www.itc-rv.com/handles.html; but, all I need is the bulb, and I could not find a 12 volt bulb option on that web site.

Any ideas?

Jim Biestek

'04 Intrigue 11783

Re: Entry Assist Handle Bulb

Reply #1 – February 01, 2010, 09:26:15 am

Yahoo Message Number: 56131

Jim,

I have an 05 Inspire so the bulb assembly may be different but I bought mine at Lazydays in Seffner, Florida when I was through there last month. Their description is "Bulb, LED F/ Grab Bar LIght w/ Pigtail ltc 86430-(LED Assy)". Their part number is 370952. Cost was $5.86 with tax.
Good luck.
Tom

05 Inspire #51334

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