Stairs and Awning - Tale of Woe!!

[Gudmund]

Guys,

I took possession of a 2011 Georgetown 378 earlier in the week and immediately went for a couple of days at a local campground.

It was fabulous. Drove great, I remembered how to put the jacks down and the slides out, the AC worked and the Sleep Number bed was comfortable.

Unfortunately, the fairy tale started to loose its luster as we tried to pack up and head home.

First, the power stairs, which I had turned off on arrival, would not turn back on. I looked for fuses, but ended up simply disconnecting the stairs from the motor mechanism and tying them up with a piece of rope.

Next, I had put the awning out to give me some shade as I was working on the stairs, but when I was finished, the awning would not retract. I was able to manually rewind the awning almost the whole way, but the motor would not turn for the last few feet so I just tucked the awning under the aluminum cover and bungied it in place.

I have looked everywhere I can think of to find fuses that may be the culprit and I did find a blown 15 amp fuse near the battery. Replaced the fuse, but it blew again as soon as the retract button on the awning remote was pressed.

I did manage to get the rig home, but now I am looking for advice.

I guess I should tell the rest of the tale of woe.

While I was attaching the bungies to the awning, I managed to lean on the cover for the toilet fan - a piece broke out of it!!!

On the way home from the campground, we (my wife- was with me and beginning to get stressed out) stopped at the place that had done the safety inspection to get the lug nuts re-torqued, as per the instructions on the big ugly sticker that was in the center of my steering wheel. Unfortunately, the technician that had done the safety had moved on, taking with him the specialist tools that were needed to get the hubcaps off the wheels. Two hours later, the re-torquing was done and we were on our way.

A quick stop at the dealer confirmed that their service department was completely clueless as to possible solutions, though they are prepared to explore options on Monday.

Finally, I went to flush the toilet before leaving the dealer, but no water surged through the bowl. When I got home, I discovered that there was a calcium-like buildup at the junction of the water line and the toilet. With some of the hard crud removed, the water is flowing again, but I will need to re-investigate to make sure that it is going to stay free flowing.

At present, my wife, who was pretending to read, is sound asleep. Hopefully she will awaken refreshed and not in the mood to demand that I sell the motor home. I like it and am not yet deterred by all of the travails of today.

So.

Long story - sorry.

I am really looking for advice as to where to look for the fuses that may be causing me issues.

Here is a photo of the stairs and awning control panel. I include it because the previous owner was a bit of a tinkerer and I do not know what bits are original and which are his add-ons.

Any and all advice will be gratefully accepted.

[kenandterry]

I don’t have a 2011 378 model, but I’m going to tell you what I see that matches parts in my 2010 330TS

The black panel on the left is original. The fact that two of the switches are red versus blue.....my original switches were all blue to control the same things....aisle lights, stairs, outside light.

The two light coloured units (white/ivory) are not stock ....pretty sure there.

That horizontal rocker switch is aftermarket.

The aisle light itself is stock.

Someone will correct me if I’m wrong.....we’re good at that

[kenandterry]

Oh yeah....that other single black rocker switch is aftermarket too.

[bubbles]

Your awning is fused directly off the coach batteries (an inline fuse on the positive post). The steps switchlight power fuse is in the battery control center box. Under your inside steps (removable) is the batteries and the battery control center box. Pull the cover on the box and there will be a row of fuses I don't know which one is for your GT378 step switch. Even if the steps will not retract with the door closed they will retract when you set the ignition switch to on (start the engine) with the door closed. This is predicated upon your steps magnetic switch functioning properly. The steps main power fuse is also on a battery post. It also is an inline fuse.

[Gudmund]

Thanks Bubbles.

Please confirm that the Battery Control Box is the black box above the batteries that warns - in big letters - to disconnect the batteries before opening it? I am such a rule follower that I did not open it (Yet?).

I probably should have stated earlier that the stairs did not react to the engine running.

[bubbles]

You need to verify the steps fuse is good. Yes you have the right box. Pull the upper bolt and loosen the lower and the lid will swing down. I pull it many times without disconnecting the batteries. Here is a rendition of what the fuses will look like. The only step fuse in there is the one for the steps switch. Are your steps Kwikee or Lippert? If no blown fuses be sure to check the door switch.

[JimF]

We have a 2011 378and the picture you posted has a lot of owner added stuff. The off white box is where the isle light switch is, the bigger box is where the awning in out switch is supposed to be the little rocker switch is useless add. And the power step is another useless add as you have a power step switch on the large factory panel. Lord knows what was done to it and the adds are exactly what your having problems with.

[JimF]

Originally Posted by Gudmund

Thanks Bubbles.



Please confirm that the Battery Control Box is the black box above the batteries that warns - in big letters - to disconnect the batteries before opening it? I am such a rule follower that I did not open it (Yet?).



I probably should have stated earlier that the stairs did not react to the engine running.

I responded to your post a little while ago then I went out to out 2011 378 and took a picture of the factory control panel and a picture of the batter box which shows two fuse wires in the front, these are to the awning and power step on our unit. Good luck with all this, we love our 378 and hope you get yours fixed and you have no more problems.

[bubbles]

Yes there are some modifications to his coach. One of them appears to be this forum posted awning mod to allow the awning to be remotely controlled. There were several ways to accomplish the mod (a few years back) but without the previous owners schematic, who knows. Wonder if he has the remote control if so. I did the mod to mine but don't think it is the way his coach was done.

[Gudmund]

Thanks JimF.

I agree, the "upgrades" are not necessarily improvements, though I have seen indications that others have done the same things.

I have been able to confirm that the stairs fuse is OK and the motor is functioning. With the use of a 5-cell LiPo that I have sitting around, I am able to put the stairs in and out with only a little fuss. I have not, however, been able to diagnose the problem any further. Unless some new ideas come to me, I will probably wait till next week when I can take it to a service center.

I have yet to get any further with the awning. The fuse is blown and new ones blow as soon as the motor is engaged. I may be able to check the functioning of the motor later this evening - if it cools down a little more.

Today was focused on keeping my wife happy. I found the problem with the passenger seat - the wires were pulled out of the connectors (probably because the chair had been rotated in the wrong direction or more than once). It now goes up and down, forward and back and even has a foot rest. I also got the TV responding to the DVD player, the clock mounted and a number of other little things.

I do like this motor home and, notwithstanding the little issues, I am sure it will serve us well.

[bubbles]

Originally Posted by Gudmund

Thanks JimF.

I agree, the "upgrades" are not necessarily improvements, though I have seen indications that others have done the same things.

I have been able to confirm that the stairs fuse is OK and the motor is functioning. With the use of a 5-cell LiPo that I have sitting around, I am able to put the stairs in and out with only a little fuss. I have not, however, been able to diagnose the problem any further. Unless some new ideas come to me, I will probably wait till next week when I can take it to a service center.

I have yet to get any further with the awning. The fuse is blown and new ones blow as soon as the motor is engaged. I may be able to check the functioning of the motor later this evening - if it cools down a little more.

Today was focused on keeping my wife happy. I found the problem with the passenger seat - the wires were pulled out of the connectors (probably because the chair had been rotated in the wrong direction or more than once). It now goes up and down, forward and back and even has a foot rest. I also got the TV responding to the DVD player, the clock mounted and a number of other little things.

I do like this motor home and, notwithstanding the little issues, I am sure it will serve us well.

What's a "little fuss"? Is the fuse in the BCC good? One last question; are the batteries connected via the battery disconnect switch? The light bar in the switch is not an indication that the batteries are connected. You must press the top of the switch to verify the batteries are indeed connected. Just a thought. I see you and JimF have it under control so bye.

[Gudmund]

Thanks Bubbles - under control may be a bit of an exaggeration, but it is coming together.

I remain unconvinced that I completely understand the subtleties between being on external power, battery power, and inverter power. At the moment, I have the rig plugged into a 15 amp house outlet so that the fridge and an exhaust fan can continue to function.

Tomorrow I am going to try some experiments, turning things on and off, on house power, on 12 volts, and using the inverter. Maybe I can figure out what is what.

[Gudmund]

Forgot to mention.

I put some electricity into the awning motor and it works fine. So, like the steps, the issue is in the wiring somewhere. Another job for the service center - if I do not get any flashes of brilliance in the meantime.

[bubbles]

If you have an inverter (doesn't come with one) there are a number of things the previous owner has done to the coach. Good luck.

[Gudmund]

It definitely has a 2200 watt inverter. I just do not know what it is able to provide power to, or for how long.

[Gudmund]

Just a quick note to tie things up.

The stairs now work. The solution was to remove the extra switch from the circuit. Now they function correctly.

The awning has a motor on order.

I have determined that the inverter powers only the bed - one of the sleep number models that needs electricity to keep its firmness - and the entertainment system - TV, DVD, etc.

Gudmund

[GeorgetownMarc]

hi all,
I'm having a bit of the same problem with my awning, I thought the problem was with the circuit board that is in one of the bins underneath, so I took it off and brought it in to get tested. It tested OK, but when I put it back on I couldn't get the awning to work at all. Seems there is no power to the wires at all.... can somebody confirm for me that the power for the awning comes directly from my battery bank? I looked at all the fuses and one of them fell apart as I pulled it out, haven't replaced it yet gonna head to town later today. Wanted to make sure that's where the power for the awning is coming from? thanks.

[JimF]

Originally Posted by GeorgetownMarc

hi all,

I'm having a bit of the same problem with my awning, I thought the problem was with the circuit board that is in one of the bins underneath, so I took it off and brought it in to get tested. It tested OK, but when I put it back on I couldn't get the awning to work at all. Seems there is no power to the wires at all.... can somebody confirm for me that the power for the awning comes directly from my battery bank? I looked at all the fuses and one of them fell apart as I pulled it out, haven't replaced it yet gonna head to town later today. Wanted to make sure that's where the power for the awning is coming from? thanks.

Awhile back I posted a picture of our battery compartment and the wires direct to the awning and step (above). Ours is a 2011 378, don’t know if that helps you. Good luck.

[mogman]

I had awning problems too. The power is directly from the battery to the switch by the steps. The fuse holder, under the steps, gets corroded with all the road dirt coming off the front tire. I cleaned mine up and packed it full of "electric grease". No problems for the last 6 years.

[Gudmund]

More good news.

Hours before we were to head out on a month long Maritime trip, the dealer gave me the replacement motor for my awning (I use the word "gave" very loosely). A couple hours later, after reading the instructions a few times, it was installed. Works very nicely.

I do, however, dislike the remote control that the previous owner installed. It is the push to start and push to stop variety, as opposed to a push and hold till you want it to stop type. I am afraid of forgetting to push the stop button when putting the awning in. Maybe something to replace in the future.