351DS leveling jacks

ChrisAndGarren · 05-30-2014, 10:08 AM

So, went out for our 2nd trip last night - can't get the jacks to come down at all. No manual, no auto no nothing.

They worked 2 weeks ago, but we got a "low voltage" error when deploying and retracting. We got the same "low voltage" error first last night, then nothing, no errors, all the lights come on cycle, but nothing happens.

I'm guessing there is a fuse or circuit or something that has tripped? Would appreciate any suggestions. My DH will be calling the dealer today to see what they have to say, but wanted to double our chances of a good answer!

Also - how long should it take for the water heater to heat up on propane? It seemed to take forever last night to get some hot water. I turn the switch on inside, it is red for a few minutes then goes off, but the water isn't hot, probably took another 30 minutes....... I don't remember it taking this long in the rentals we've had before, so was just wondering.

Thanks!
Garren

GABoy · 05-30-2014, 10:24 AM

Make sure your engine is running and parking brake is on. The hydraulic jacks take allot of juice. If its dead check fuses at battery compartment.

ChrisAndGarren · 05-30-2014, 10:45 AM

Yes, tries it with engine last night, no go. The brain trust at the dealer had told us to have it on accessory mode only, so I think that drained it last time. Whereare the fuses in the battery compartment? House batteries or coach?

GABoy · 05-30-2014, 11:28 AM

Upper left corner in coach battery compartment beside entry steps. Two breakers, push reset.

ChrisAndGarren · 05-30-2014, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GABoy

Upper left corner in coach battery compartment beside entry steps. Two breakers, push reset.

Awesome! will check it out when back at the coach in a few hours.

ckbdk · 05-31-2014, 09:40 AM

I'm hoping someone can help us with what may be a related issue on our 2005 Georgetown 342. It started after our last trip; got home, extended the jacks, then one would not retract. It had to be done manually; then none would extend. The hydraulic motor would run a second or two, then trip the breaker, and nothing was moving. The fluid was low, so we have added to that. Tried to bleed the lines by extending and retracting, a process that took over an hour. Again, the motor runs a few seconds and then trips the breaker. We did get all four jacks to extend and then retract, but the motor was running hot. I don't know if it was overheating and tripping the breaker or if there is still air in the lines. I don't want to burn out the motor. Any suggestions? Thank you!

alparmer · 05-31-2014, 11:56 AM

Here is how we do it. When we get to our spot, leave engine running and level it. Shut engine off and hook up to shore power then extend the slides. We never run anything on just batteries.

If you drained the batteries, get them fully charged (check water level also). Reset the two CBs in the battery compartment. You will then have to reset the system and then recalibrate the auto level. If you need the procedures I can load them up for you.

alparmer · 05-31-2014, 11:57 AM

Oh, and in reference to your water heater. It take a little while to heat up on just propane. If you are hooked up to shore power turn on the electric side of the water heater and with both propane and electric it will heat up in a hurry.

cjd10 · 05-31-2014, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckbdk

I'm hoping someone can help us with what may be a related issue on our 2005 Georgetown 342. It started after our last trip; got home, extended the jacks, then one would not retract. It had to be done manually; then none would extend. The hydraulic motor would run a second or two, then trip the breaker, and nothing was moving. The fluid was low, so we have added to that. Tried to bleed the lines by extending and retracting, a process that took over an hour. Again, the motor runs a few seconds and then trips the breaker. We did get all four jacks to extend and then retract, but the motor was running hot. I don't know if it was overheating and tripping the breaker or if there is still air in the lines. I don't want to burn out the motor. Any suggestions? Thank you!

Are the shafts that extend down clean and lubricated with silicone spray?
Might be causing a bind in the system but doesn't seem like it would cause all them to have problems.

ckbdk · 05-31-2014, 03:07 PM

The shafts appear to be fine.

jojo bamboo · 06-01-2014, 11:06 AM

This is when the "adventure of RVing" begins

Freds342 · 06-01-2014, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckbdk

I'm hoping someone can help us with what may be a related issue on our 2005 Georgetown 342. It started after our last trip; got home, extended the jacks, then one would not retract. It had to be done manually; then none would extend. The hydraulic motor would run a second or two, then trip the breaker, and nothing was moving. The fluid was low, so we have added to that. Tried to bleed the lines by extending and retracting, a process that took over an hour. Again, the motor runs a few seconds and then trips the breaker. We did get all four jacks to extend and then retract, but the motor was running hot. I don't know if it was overheating and tripping the breaker or if there is still air in the lines. I don't want to burn out the motor. Any suggestions? Thank you!

You must have either:
a. the engine running
b: the generator running
c: shore power.

If you have one of these, and it still trips the breaker, your house batteries are probably shot.

Your 342 has one of the last fairly reliable Liipert systems in it. The only problem I've had was hoses leaking. When I bought it, I found that they had bypassed a bad breaker (the side was blown off of it!),and just replaced it myself. The dealer had told me the same as someone else mentioned, "Just put the key in Accessory!"

It was five years old, and had never been sold to an end-user when I bought it. FR used it as a demo, and it then went to two other dealers, the first of which went B/K. The only things that had ever been used were the reefer and the genny. It had 12K miles on it, and the genny had 550 hours!

ckbdk · 06-01-2014, 01:26 PM

Thanks! House batteries are fine (they show 13.5), we're plugged into shore power and have tried it with the engine running. Some posts have mentioned replacing the breaker; easy enough, but is there a way to know if that is the problem? Don't want to burn out the motor if it is good... Jacks have been run up and down 3 times using drill; they do not seem to have any issues.

Freds342 · 06-01-2014, 01:46 PM

Only way to tell is by replacement, but in my experience, they're only good for about 50-60 cycles before they're toast. They're all over eBay for $40, and I'd go for the 100-A instead of the 90. They use the 100 now.

ckbdk · 06-01-2014, 04:43 PM

Thanks! Will try to buy one locally tomorrow, if I can't find it I'll order. Will re-post with results.

ChrisAndGarren · 06-01-2014, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alparmer

Here is how we do it. When we get to our spot, leave engine running and level it. Shut engine off and hook up to shore power then extend the slides. We never run anything on just batteries.

If you drained the batteries, get them fully charged (check water level also). Reset the two CBs in the battery compartment. You will then have to reset the system and then recalibrate the auto level. If you need the procedures I can load them up for you.

We reset the breaker several times, and whenever we got the RV levelers started, they'd make some noise with no deployment, and then the breaker would trip again, only the top one. Lucky for us, the spot was level, so we could live with it but the coach moved around a lot when you were walking.

Would love the reset directions, we've got an appointment with the dealer but not til the 12th. The batteries appear fully charged and full of water, so I'm at loss otherwise.......!

Hope the pictures help with your awning!

Thanks
Garren

ChrisAndGarren · 06-01-2014, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alparmer

Oh, and in reference to your water heater. It take a little while to heat up on just propane. If you are hooked up to shore power turn on the electric side of the water heater and with both propane and electric it will heat up in a hurry.

Good to know! I know exactly where that switch is also!

alparmer · 06-01-2014, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisAndGarren

We reset the breaker several times, and whenever we got the RV levelers started, they'd make some noise with no deployment, and then the breaker would trip again, only the top one. Lucky for us, the spot was level, so we could live with it but the coach moved around a lot when you were walking.

Would love the reset directions, we've got an appointment with the dealer but not til the 12th. The batteries appear fully charged and full of water, so I'm at loss otherwise.......!

Hope the pictures help with your awning!

Thanks
Garren

Hey Garren, here are the PDFs. Try the trouble shooting procedures.

Thanks for the pics, I hope to hear something back from the vendor tomorrow.

alparmer · 06-01-2014, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisAndGarren

Good to know! I know exactly where that switch is also!

Don't forget to turn it off if you are not going to use it. If you leave it on and the electric heating element is not submerged in water it will burn up almost instantly.

ChrisAndGarren · 06-01-2014, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alparmer

Don't forget to turn it off if you are not going to use it. If you leave it on and the electric heating element is not submerged in water it will burn up almost instantly.

Good call! Will add it to our shutdown checklist!
Thanks for the PDFs, we shall see if that is the problem.

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