Using slide outs at roadside stops

dudleydoo · 04-29-2015, 04:24 PM

Once or twice I was able to extend the kitchen on our 23IKSS while at a rest stop. It was just enough to get to the bathroom and refrigerator. Then another time it came out a bit but I could not get it back. Luckily it was only about 2" and we didn't have far to go to get electricity.

Is it possible to extend the slide out at least a little bit when stopped at a rest area? Maybe I was just lucky the first times but would like to know what others have done.

Bonnie

stugilmour · 04-29-2015, 06:00 PM

Bonnie, the slide motor should work just with battery power. Connection to 110v shore power is not required. At our dealership the sales staff used a portable starting pack to power the slides for viewing, so you should have no issue with putting the slide in and out at a rest stop. Not sure what is causing your difficulty, but start with checking the available voltage at your battery.

HTH

Stu

Triguy · 04-29-2015, 06:24 PM

I agree with Stu. Your best bet is to first check the health of your battery. Even a small group 24 marine battery should be able to handle the light duty you are asking for with this slide (especially if you had started out with it fully charged). It's possible the slide is binding or is out of alignment and causing problems, but you would know this because it would also struggle on shore power. I'd check the battery first.

Triguy · 04-29-2015, 06:27 PM

Also, Bonnie, you might want to familiarize yourself with the manual close procedure. You never know when you need to close it tight and don't have the power to do it. Let us know if you need any details on that (or on how to check your battery).

dudleydoo · 04-29-2015, 07:29 PM

Thank you guys for the information. I wanted to make sure this was possible with battery power only. I'll check it out tomorrow and make sure I have power when needed. The trailer is plugged in now at home so I'll unplug and check this out. I'm sure I can find the information on manual operation in the book.

Velosprout · 04-29-2015, 11:10 PM

I have done this battery power only with no problem.

cpd1343 · 04-30-2015, 04:49 AM

This type of slide is designed to be only opened and closed FULLY. It has electronic controls that will get out of adjustment if not operated properly. There are many videos on UTube. It is a Schwintek slide.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSafAnjxIV4

Kanga99 · 04-30-2015, 05:57 PM

According to slide makers you should never partially deploy your slide out. It messes up the motor sync and will cause problems.

dudleydoo · 04-30-2015, 06:08 PM

I did not know about partial deployment, thank you guys. My husband is charging the battery now and we will try to operate the slide again tomorrow.

pwrstroke2012 · 04-30-2015, 06:15 PM

I have opened my slide partially here and there for 6 yrs now and no issues. Is it limited to a certain manufacturer?

Oakman · 04-30-2015, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwrstroke2012

I have opened my slide partially here and there for 6 yrs now and no issues. Is it limited to a certain manufacturer?

I believe they are talking about the Schwintek slideout system which should always be opened and closed fully.

Kanga99 · 04-30-2015, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oakman

I believe they are talking about the Schwintek slideout system which should always be opened and closed fully.

Yes, the OP identified there unit as a 23IKSS - kitchen slide which is a Schwintek, at least on mine.

wnelsonfl · 04-30-2015, 08:24 PM

My RV tech saw my added battery and said "that's smart the slides wear out a single battery quickly"
might be worth considering.

chriscowles · 04-30-2015, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wnelsonfl

My RV tech saw my added battery and said "that's smart the slides wear out a single battery quickly"
might be worth considering.

It seems to me that would be true only if the owner allowed the battery to discharge excessively. I doubt that a single in/out cycle would lead to failure.

Sent from my phone using Tapatalk.

dudleydoo · 05-01-2015, 03:44 AM

We have been hooked up to 110 for the past 2 weeks, shouldn't the battery be charged up?

Does the battery get charged while towing the trailer?

Maybe my DH crossed some wires when he hooked it back up a while ago and we just didn't notice until now.

Bonnie

Triguy · 05-01-2015, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dudleydoo

We have been hooked up to 110 for the past 2 weeks, shouldn't the battery be charged up?

Yes It should be. On AC, your trailer's converter charges the battery. I assume Shamrock still specs WFCO. All WFCO power converters are automatic three-stage chargers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dudleydoo

Does the battery get charged while towing the trailer?

Somewhat. It takes a fair amount of driving to charge a low battery.

Have you checked your batteries voltage and was it low?

yetavon · 05-01-2015, 05:20 AM

During our walkthrough the tech mentioned that its best to be hooked to shore power or the running TV to decrease the battery drain while running the slide.
your 7 pin should have a hot wire feeding 12V power while running.