Bigfoot Question

[GL1800Rider]

There is probably an answer on here but I can't find it. Here is the situation. Start the motorhome and the Bigfoot powers up and shows jacks are all up. When I stop and shut off the engine the Bigfoot is still powered up and I have to manually shut it off. Is this the normal operation or is it supposed to power down when you turn off the ignition?

[benagi]

Originally Posted by GL1800Rider

There is probably an answer on here but I can't find it. Here is the situation. Start the motorhome and the Bigfoot powers up and shows jacks are all up. When I stop and shut off the engine the Bigfoot is still powered up and I have to manually shut it off. Is this the normal operation or is it supposed to power down when you turn off the ignition?

Good question GL. I've noticed my lights stay on at the big foot power panel also for awhile. But I never powered them down myself, just left it and they went out on their on sooner or later. Someone else may be able to give a better answer.

[wesslvm]

I always power mine off. My controller is under my driver seat so I'm trying to make sure I don't accidentally actuate it.

[ourflat]

Yep, the panel will power down after being left on or you can manually shut it off!


Frank

[GL1800Rider]

Thanks, i guess all is good

[Creativepart]

My dealer demoed the system this way;

• Plug into shore power or genset.
• Turn on Bigfoot
• Wait for lights to circle and blink around the display
• When they stop touch Auto
• Stay out of the coach while leveling
• When finished auto leveling turn off the system
• When ready to move, turn on system and touch retract. The turn system off again.

He said to not leave it running.

[GL1800Rider]

Same info I received during my PDI. Just curious why it powers up when you start the engine if you are either to be on shore power or gen power. You would think it would not come on that way.

[benagi]

Originally Posted by GL1800Rider

Same info I received during my PDI. Just curious why it powers up when you start the engine if you are either to be on shore power or gen power. You would think it would not come on that way.

GL, my guess it is a safety issue. When you have shore or generator going, it may think you used the jacks and when you start the engine, it wants to make sure you check and see if big foots are completely retracted before you drive off. Just a thought.

[Garrette]

Originally Posted by GL1800Rider

Same info I received during my PDI. Just curious why it powers up when you start the engine if you are either to be on shore power or gen power. You would think it would not come on that way.

I think it is powered up because if you put in drive, the jacks will retract.


Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums

[benagi]

Big Foot users be aware. We used our Big Foots for the first time today and found a possible damaging problem. We lowered a couple of our jacks for fine tuning the leveling and when we were ready to leave, we hit retract all. The green light came on that shows everything retracted. Not so. Decided to check and make sure and one of the jacks was still extended over half way down. We could have driven off and shortly there after, we would have destroyed that jack. I crawled under our unit and noticed the pin that engages the sensor that tells you your jacks are up did not come down on the one jack. Got a pair of pliers and broke loose the stuck pin. Put a little lube on it and now we are good to go. And this is on a new unit. Lesson learned, always check the status of your jacks with your own eyes and don't depend on the little green light that says they are all retracted.

[vwexpert]

I always do a walk around the coach before driving away - checking antennae is down / jacks are up / and I use a broom handle to poke the rear inside tires to verify they have air.

[Creativepart]

We do just that - get a visual on the jack feet before any movement.

[SkipnTerri]

Originally Posted by wesslvm

I always power mine off. My controller is under my driver seat so I'm trying to make sure I don't accidentally actuate it.

x2. Always turn system off being it turns on once the engine is started. Picked up a cheap plastic box to keep it in and covered so buttons aren't accidentally pressed.

[Sagecoachdriver]

Thanks for the tip Benagi. Anyway to photo that pin?

[benagi]

Will do tomorrow, if some doesn't do it before me.

[benagi]

Originally Posted by benagi

Will do tomorrow, if some doesn't do it before me.

Sage, here is the picture you asked for. The pin in question is on the right side of this jack.

[steverkemp]

One of my pins on the plunger switches was bent. Every 30 min or so the jack would bleed off a millimeter or so and cause the control panel by the door to beep at us. Dealer ordering a new one. Kids have to take turns pressing retract all while on the road.

[Sagecoachdriver]

Thanks Ben for the photo. Now I understand.
Steverkemp, wasn't there a way to disconnect power to the levelers and stop the alarm? Or wouldn't that help because the levelers was dropping? How did the pin get bent?