bostonrob Posted June 13, 2015 Report Share Posted June 13, 2015 The past few months I have to push the long slide on my 2004 Jayco 5W to get it started sliding in- and the motor seems weaker sliding-in. The RV underside is covered and there is no emergency access for manual open/close. I use shore power until I drive away since my 5 yr old batteries need changing. Anything I can try before dropping it off at the dealer? Thanks. Rob '02 Chevy Silverado diesel CrewCab C3500, auto, long, dually, 4x2, 6.6L, 3.70 rear. '04 Jayco Designer Medallion 30RKS 5th wheel, 50 amp, 33'6", 2 slides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathydavidb Posted June 13, 2015 Report Share Posted June 13, 2015 Maybe a dead battery not allowing the power thru to the slide motor? -Even on shore power? Dave. 2006 Coachmen Aurora 36ft. Class A motor home. 2009 Honda CRV toad. "Snowbirds" apprx. 6 mos. each year. Travelling to the SW each winter than returning to Wi. each summer. Retired and enjoying our travels along with Buddy the cat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Greg Posted June 13, 2015 Report Share Posted June 13, 2015 Replace the batteries as you know they are old and not holding a good charge. The slides and feet are 12v and need good batteries to work well. Shore power, 120v AC, powers the converter which charges the batteries but the converter does not put out sufficient 12v for the heavy duty needs of the slides and feet. Greg Greg & Judy Bahnmiller Class of 2007 2014 F350 2007 HitchHiker Champagne Both sold 2/19, settled in Foley, AL after 12 years on the road http://bahnmilleradventure.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilishjim Posted June 13, 2015 Report Share Posted June 13, 2015 Replace the batteries as you know they are old and not holding a good charge. The slides and feet are 12v and need good batteries to work well. Shore power, 120v AC, powers the converter which charges the batteries but the converter does not put out sufficient 12v for the heavy duty needs of the slides and feet. Greg X 2 Jim Spence 2000 Dodge 3500 1 ton QC 4x4 dually 5.9 diesel LB BD exhaust brake, 6 spd manual trans 34CKTS Cedar Creek 5er, Trail-Air hitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Skinner Posted June 13, 2015 Report Share Posted June 13, 2015 I will add this to the discussion. The motor on my really large slide really has to work hard to get the slide up "over the hump" when it first starts to come in. I take all of the weight off of the inside of the slide I can before starting to "in" process ---- like the four chairs that have many things stored under the seats. I ask a man at the factory if it would be all right was me to push from the outside as it starts in --- until it gets over the hump. (wife operating the controls) He said that it would be fine and that it would be safe to do that. Do you agree? (electric slides) C. S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rdickinson Posted June 13, 2015 Report Share Posted June 13, 2015 You could turn up the power in the potentiometer which controls the amount of power your slides are given. It's like a thermostat. Too much power and bolts could be sheared off. is this a recent problem or has it always been like this? Just saw CF's response. My dining room slide kicks out after coming in a couple of inches so I start it again and grab the inside of the face frame and pull to help it. If you don't know what or where the potentiometer is ask and I or others can send a picture with instructions. It should be Beige for the older ones and probably Black for the newer models. There will be a very small screw with a slot in it. Use one of your very best and expensive steak knives to adjust screw in very small increments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark and Dale Bruss Posted June 13, 2015 Report Share Posted June 13, 2015 Usually the controller for the slide motor has a current sensor that shuts off the motor when it draws a level of current. This is how the controller knows the slide has reached its limits. Sometimes you need to tweak the current limit setting as the system ages over time. The potentiometer is very sensitive and you need to move it very little for each adjustment. If you over do it, the controller can overdrive the slide at it limit, either in or out. Please click for Emails instead of PM Mark & DaleJoey - 2016 Bounder 33C Tige - 2006 40' Travel SupremeSparky III - 2021 Mustang Mach-e, off the the Road since 2019 Useful HDT Truck, Trailer, and Full-timing Info atwww.dmbruss.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsabouttime Posted June 13, 2015 Report Share Posted June 13, 2015 I'd go with replacing the battery before you try any adjustments. With a bad one, you might not get a repeatable setpoint. Fix what you know is bad first. The rest of the problems might coincidentally disappear. Russ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted June 13, 2015 Report Share Posted June 13, 2015 With any DC motor the power that it has is based upon available current & voltage. With a 12V-DC system the voltage will drop if power demand exceeds the ability of the source to supply current (amps). In motors the starting current to get it turning is always greater than current once it begins to run. With RV systems the battery is usually the source of that extra starting current but if batteries are in poor condition they may not be capable of making up the needed starting current. Those who are suggesting that you first replace the battery are probably right on about the cause of your problems. You might try borrowing a known good battery to put into the system first just to see if that doesn't solve the problem. Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Stiner Posted June 14, 2015 Report Share Posted June 14, 2015 Let's look at the pieces here: You know your batteries are weak, which means they lack the ability to hold voltage/current. Your slide motor is not unlike a starter motor, it needs good voltage and current to do its job. Without a battery, the battery charge system is woefully short of enough juice to run the slide motor. This means your system takes both the weak batteries and the the charge system combined to muster enough juice to feed the slide motor. Before modifying the system to allow more current that isn't available right now (like clamping a faucet full open when the pump is bad), or letting the shop charge you $100 per hour to filet your 5'er to find a false alarm, one might consider first addressing the one thing in your face that you know is an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostonrob Posted June 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 Thanks everyone. A trip to Wal-Mart and 2 new batteries and now bringing the slide in is a 1-person procedure again. Rob '02 Chevy Silverado diesel CrewCab C3500, auto, long, dually, 4x2, 6.6L, 3.70 rear. '04 Jayco Designer Medallion 30RKS 5th wheel, 50 amp, 33'6", 2 slides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimalberta Posted June 17, 2015 Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 I'd go with replacing the battery before you try any adjustments. With a bad one, you might not get a repeatable setpoint. Fix what you know is bad first. The rest of the problems might coincidentally disappear. Russ I totally agree. Fix what you know is wrong first. <p>....JIM and LINDA......2001 American Eagle 40 '.towing a GMC Sierra 1500 4X4 with RZR in the rear. 1999 JEEP Cherokee that we tow as well. IT IS A CONTENTED MAN WHO CAN APPRECIATE THE SCENERY ALONG A DETOUR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimalberta Posted June 17, 2015 Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 Thanks everyone. A trip to Wal-Mart and 2 new batteries and now bringing the slide in is a 1-person procedure again. Rob Congrats. <p>....JIM and LINDA......2001 American Eagle 40 '.towing a GMC Sierra 1500 4X4 with RZR in the rear. 1999 JEEP Cherokee that we tow as well. IT IS A CONTENTED MAN WHO CAN APPRECIATE THE SCENERY ALONG A DETOUR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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