Can I Operate Slides With the Engine Off?

Racorman wrote:

Ed_Gee wrote:

Racorman wrote:
If you are hooked up to shore power...... will that also charge the chassis battery?

For most coaches, the slides run on the house battery in which case shore power will help.. Reading some of the comments here indicate that Winnibago appears to use the engine chassis battery, (weird), in which case shore power will not help.

I agree it is weird.

So the engine is running and I can drive down the road with my slides open :h

Bro in Law's Newmar 30' gasser will not allow the engine to start with the slides open

Interesting Topic.

My TS will not deploy the slides with the engine running. It will start with the slides out and can be driven, with the slide deployed.

But the really interesting thing is the fact that if you ever have an issue with the connection or the battery on a TS you can power the slide using an 18v Dewalt or Makita battery. these are big slides and I have deployed all and returned all using a Dewalt battery, so it does work.

Generally I have found for ease, I will back in - or pull in - connect the electric (or if dry camping, start the generator) - turn on the A/C - then level the coach and deploy the slides. Just having a routine avoids issues, all this is done while the DW is fixing the Adult Beverage, so my only suggestion is to figure out your routine and stick to it, thus avoiding any issues.

JHMO,