Lippert Electric stabilizer jacks - manual override

[GLBCamper]

I am going to be boondocking for a week and want to conserve batteries as much as possible, so I want to set up the stabilizer jacks using the manual override handle. The manual says to “disconnect one of the wire leads from the motor to prevent backfeeding” before using the manual override. It says it several times in bold and says it will void the warranty if you fail to do so. But the motor is COMPLETELY enclosed. I see no way to get to ANY of the wires going into the motor assembly. Does anyone have any experience with this? Can I just pull the master battery disconnect?

[fonzie]

If you know where the fuse is just remove it. But when you operate it manually and the electric switch is not depressed (no closed contacts) there should be no back feed to the battery unless switch is defective.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Hmmmm. Many of these can also be operated via a remote so there must be a separate power feed. I would find some way to disconnect that wire.

[GLBCamper]

Great idea to pull the fuse. I do have a remote and the box for the stabilizer jacks and awning is in my dinette bench. Easy to access! Thanks!

[DouglasReid]

Some of us would like to advise you on alternative solutions but you have not filled out your signature. We dont' know if you have a TT, 5er or MH even.

Cant help, sorry

[Comanchecreek]

Interested to see the results of this post.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by GLBCamper

Great idea to pull the fuse. I do have a remote and the box for the stabilizer jacks and awning is in my dinette bench. Easy to access! Thanks!

Pulling the fuse was my first thought as well.

[GLBCamper]

Originally Posted by DouglasReid

Some of us would like to advise you on alternative solutions but you have not filled out your signature. We dont' know if you have a TT, 5er or MH even.

Cant help, sorry

I didn’t think it made a difference, but it’s a travel trailer.

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by GLBCamper

I didn’t think it made a difference, but it’s a travel trailer.

Then I would think you could, AFTER disconnecting yrou hitch from the truck, keep the truck running and the cable to the TT connected so the 12 V supply will keep the battery charged while you are using the leveling jacks.

A portable solar charger might also be a good idea if you plan on boondocking often to keep your battery charged up for extended periods of time without the need for a generator or connecting your running truck periodically

You should still fill out yoru signature, it is located in the "User CP" section at the top of the page.

[GLBCamper]

I do have a Renogy solar panel and use it when not shaded. But the main trip I’m concerned about is Yosemite in July and the site is very shady. I did a quick test and the jacks drew around 6 amps. Granted, it only takes about 10 minutes to put them both down, but it’s still a big load on day one and I don’t mind a little elbow work!

I did send an email to Lippert asking the same question. If they respond I will update.

(Updated my signature. My TT is an orphan brand from FR, so most people don’t recognize it by name.)

[GLBCamper]

I got a reply from Lippert to this question. After some confusing back and forth I asked “as long as I disconnect power TO the motor, even if it is at the fuse panel, I will prevent backfeeding when operating them manually?” and he said “yes.” So I’m just going to pull my main battery bypass. I tested and they do not operate with the bypass pulled so they must not have power, thus meeting the criteria of disconnecting power to the motor. Issue resolved I guess.

[mlmaschmeyer]

Could you tell me what the main battery bypass is? Would disconnecting the battery do the same thing?

[babock]

So I am curious...what is the purpose of not back feeding, not that turning the motor is going to generate anything since it can't.

[GLBCamper]

Originally Posted by babock

So I am curious...what is the purpose of not back feeding, not that turning the motor is going to generate anything since it can't.

I’ve also wondered that. I was just quoting the manual, and really, I was mostly just curious to know if anyone else actually worried about “backfeeding” if using the manual operation.

I use the manual override on the power jack and it doesn’t say anything about backfeeding.

FYI, I am using the manual override on both the power jack and stabilizers to conserve batteries when setting up to boondock for a while.

[babock]

Originally Posted by GLBCamper

FYI, I am using the manual override on both the power jack and stabilizers to conserve batteries when setting up to boondock for a while.

Just so you know, a tongue jack uses around 7A. If you operate it 3 minutes, that's 0.35Ah. Stabilizers will be less per stabilizer. Not much in the scheme of things.

[jd50i]

Spinning a DC electric motor will turn it into a generator so it will create power.

[GLBCamper]

Originally Posted by jd50i

Spinning a DC electric motor will turn it into a generator so it will create power.

Is that the case for the tongue jack also? If so, I’m surprised Atwood doesn’t warn against using the handle override.

[jd50i]

Originally Posted by GLBCamper

Is that the case for the tongue jack also? If so, I’m surprised Atwood doesn’t warn against using the handle override.

Any DC electric motor.

[babock]

Originally Posted by jd50i

Spinning a DC electric motor will turn it into a generator so it will create power.

Only if its a permanent magnet type. If it uses a field magnet winding, it has to be energized to produce any electricity.

[babock]

Originally Posted by GLBCamper

Is that the case for the tongue jack also? If so, I’m surprised Atwood doesn’t warn against using the handle override.

As far as the tongue jack backfeeding(assuming a permanent magnet motor)it doesn't have any electronic controls to worry about. I am assuming your stabilizer jacks have electronic controls of some type? If they don't and its just a mechanical switch, it shouldn't matter.