Slide out fuse blowing

[iluvlcy]

Had our trailer for about 3 years and on the last 2 trips when we pull the slide in it blows the fuse, it brings the slide all the way in and then goes out. Any thoughts on what could be causing this? It goes out no problems.

[VinceU]

Originally Posted by iluvlcy

Had our trailer for about 3 years and on the last 2 trips when we pull the slide in it blows the fuse, it brings the slide all the way in and then goes out. Any thoughts on what could be causing this? It goes out no problems.

Have you lubed the operating mechanism gears, shafts etc? Also lube the slide guides? Do not use grease or oil, use a "dry lube" silicon, lithium or graphite based lube. The former will attract dust and dirt and make things gummed up. In direction takes more power, resistance makes it worse.

[iluvlcy]

We lubed both about 3 months ago. We camp alot should we lube more often?

[Dave_Monica]

Is the clutch disengaging on the slideout drive or does the fuse blown before that happens?

With the slideout all the way in, is the stop bell on the slide travel adjustment tight to the camper frame?

Dave

[iluvlcy]

Sorry we are not mechanically inclined si don't quite understand your question.

[iluvlcy]

Do not know what stop bell is and we dont think the clutch disengages? When slide comes in at end it makes a ratcheting sound and the fuse blows before that sound when we change fuse and push in button the slide makes rhe ratcheting sound.

[Dave_Monica]

The ratcheting sound you hear is the slide drive with the clutch disengaged. Are you hearing that sound now when the slide is brought in or is the fuse blowing before that happens?

Dave

[iluvlcy]

Fuse blows before that sound when we change fuse and hit the button again it makes the racheting sound but does not move cause it has already made it in before blowing.

[Triguy]

Here are a few items to check on.

How are your batteries? If the batteries are low (either because of age or discharge), the amperage goes up and so causes more heat. Fuses can be tripped when the load increases due to higher amperage use.

Also, check to make sure you have the right size fuse for your slideout.

How is your wiring? The TT is 3 years old so I recommend you check the battery wiring connections, especially on the ground side. Check the wiring for the slide under the TT to make sure nothing is rubbing and that there are no pinched wires (in your case, pinched when the slideout is closed).

If not electrical, than its mechanical. Possibly the motor is working too hard due to binding somewhere in the system.

[VinceU]

Overtravel? How bout a slo blow fuse with short time actuation, Radio Shack. Multiple fuse failure not a good syndrome either.

[iluvlcy]

We are still on the original battery that came with trailer do you think it is time to replace? Everything looks ok do not see worn wires or anything.

[Triguy]

Originally Posted by iluvlcy

We are still on the original battery that came with trailer do you think it is time to replace? Everything looks ok do not see worn wires or anything.

I think you should test it. It might be time to replace depending on usage, maintenance, battery size and quality. You can do some of the testing yourself, although its often easier to get it load tested locally.

To test it yourself: The most accurate method is measurement of specific gravity and battery voltage. To measure specific gravity buy a hydrometer, to measure voltage use a multimeter. See this battery users guide for help (pages 18-19).

[Dave_Monica]

Originally Posted by iluvlcy

Fuse blows before that sound when we change fuse and hit the button again it makes the racheting sound but does not move cause it has already made it in before blowing.

I'd recommend that you look at the slide room adjustment, in particular the stop adjustment for the 'In' position. Check out page 11 in the owner's manual... http://lci1.com/images/Flyers/Owners...ideout-web.pdf

Dave

[iluvlcy]

On the battery, on this last trip I started the fridge about a day and a half almost 2 days before we left when we got to the trailer to leave the battery was dead it should last longer than 2 days?

Dave are you suggesting that the slide is hitting too soon?

Thank you both for your help by the way.

[Dave_Monica]

Originally Posted by iluvlcy

Dave are you suggesting that the slide is hitting too soon?

I'm wondering if the stop can has loosened and isn't coming in contact with the frame when the room is retracted...thinking perhaps the motor continues trying to compress the seals, increase load and blows the fuse with disengaging the drive clutch.

Dave

[iluvlcy]

Thanks we now understand what your saying and will check. Thanks so much Dave that manual was a great help as well.

[Triguy]

Originally Posted by iluvlcy

On the battery, on this last trip I started the fridge about a day and a half almost 2 days before we left when we got to the trailer to leave the battery was dead it should last longer than 2 days?

Dave are you suggesting that the slide is hitting too soon?

Thank you both for your help by the way.

A new or well-maintained deep-cycle or marine battery will last longer than 2 days. But, a small and older group 24 battery (std equipment in many trailers) could easily be drained in less than a week with enough parasitic draws. It was not just the fridge, but also the CO detector, radio, and anything else with a parasitic draw.

By "dead" I think you mean it was completely discharged. Remember that batteries should never be drained lower than 50% of full charge because that greatly shortens their life. I would guess this battery might be having trouble keeping its charge if this happened too often. Another good reason to test it.

[iluvlcy]

So if we decide to go ahead and replace battery any tips on what we should look for?

[Triguy]

Originally Posted by iluvlcy

So if we decide to go ahead and replace battery any tips on what we should look for?

Did you test the battery, yet? Don't want you to spend money if you don't need to.

If you are considering a new battery, first consider your usage/need and then match the size and type of battery to your need.

Do you dry camp (i.e., without 120VAC) often and for how many nights? Barely ever? Just some of the time?

• If you dry camp often and rely solely on your battery, than get the biggest batteries you can afford that will fit on your trailer.

• If you rarely camp without A/C, than you have little need for much capacity and a marine group 24 or 27 will do just fine.

• Somewhere in the middle? Well, that is a balancing act between the most capacity you can afford ($$$) and the group 24 battery ($).

How do you camp? That will point us in the right direction.

[iluvlcy]

Yeah we are going to have it tested just wanted to be prepared. We always camp with elec and we do not see any dry camping in our future.