Forum Discussion

B_B__Travlers's avatar
Mar 03, 2014

generator slide won't stay locked in

Our Forest River Charleston diesel generator, when stopping slides out. It can be pushed back in, but wont stay. We are thinking it might be a bad cylinder. Any ideas?
  • B&B Travlers wrote:
    The Cat diesel generator is on a power slide in and out. Sorry for not stating that earlier. It is manually controlled by the power toggle switch in the fuse compartment on the side of the coach.


    Ok, now that there's a better understanding of your system, it could be a number of things; check the fluid level in the resoviour, also could be a defective solenoid on the pump. or a control valve; they have check valves that could be sticky from non use. After checking your fluid adding if needed, try exercising the hydralics whith your toggle switch.
    One other thing when checking the fluid level, look for any wet spots, or oil residue on the piston of the ram.
    We have had simlar systems on our equipment and usally it's one of the above. Good luck, keep us posted
  • The Cat diesel generator is on a power slide in and out. Sorry for not stating that earlier. It is manually controlled by the power toggle switch in the fuse compartment on the side of the coach.
  • B&B Travlers wrote:
    Our Forest River Charleston diesel generator, when stopping slides out. It can be pushed back in, but wont stay. We are thinking it might be a bad cylinder. Any ideas?


    B&B,
    First off, let's make sure of a thing or two. You say it might be a "BAD CYLINDER"? Well, you're not saying whether it's a powered slide or not or, just uses a gas strut to keep it in and out.(They use the "over center" action to keep things in or out on doors etc.)

    Second, is or, was there any form of locking mechanism that either has to be released or detached prior to the generator slide extending?

    That condition you have is fairly serious. If you have to do a panic stop, that unit, by the sounds of it, sounds like it can zip out and possibly become dislodged and maybe damage equipment and or, maybe even become completely separated and do damage to other peoples cars or whatever, in front of you.

    Ours is an '04 Itasca Horizon 36GD with the C-7 330 CAT and it has a manual slide out generator trolley. But, in order for ours to slid out, I have to open the top part of the front fiberglass hood, then, reach down and pull a 1/2" diameter locking pin out of the frame of the gen slide which, allows the trolley to slide forward AFTER I PUSH ON A SPRING LOADED GENERATOR RELEASE HANDLE on the top

    Only then will is slide out for service etc. But, not knowing your unit, I'm not sure if there's any preliminary actions that should be done, prior to your sliding it out.
    Scott
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Maybe you can drill a hole through both frames and use a spring D-LINK to hold it in the position you want it to be in.



    Roy Ken
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    BobandShaz wrote:
    Maybe the slides need cleaning?

    So it will slide easier? :h
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Assuming you have a hydraulic cylinder I would make sure the hydraulic cylinder rod end is still attached as it should not be that easy to move even if something else in the hydraulic system is broken.
  • B&B Travlers wrote:
    Our Forest River Charleston diesel generator, when stopping slides out. It can be pushed back in, but wont stay. We are thinking it might be a bad cylinder. Any ideas?



    Most genny have a carriage that pulls out for servicing, they normally are lock bolts that hold it in place when not being service. Start looking there