Forum Discussion

Cousin_Eddy1's avatar
Cousin_Eddy1
Explorer
Mar 19, 2017

Power Gear Manual Controller Problem

I bought this controller new in 2008. PN 500731.

So, you start the motor, and the LEDs start flashing. Press any button and all the LEDs turn off. The unit will not power up using the power button. Get this, i push the retract all button, and the front jack came on. Went to full extent, hard against the stop with the pump still running. Turned off ignition and it stopped. Turned it back on, blinking lights again. I hit the retract button, even though it appeared to be powered down. The jack did retract. Thankfully.

Its for sure not in config mode....per the manual.

So, im thinking the controller is toast. Could it be anything else? These things only last 9 years? Sheeesh.
Class A
  • stacaz822's avatar
    stacaz822
    Explorer
    May 24, 2017
    Like aircraft and high end watercraft systems, RV's should run on 24 to 28V. It sure would save a lot on wiring!
  • stacaz822's avatar
    stacaz822
    Explorer
    May 24, 2017
    There are power transistors in the controller that will go bad, especially in the heat where it's mounted. Also check that cables are big enough and that all connections are NOT corroded and super tight. There should be little to no voltage drop if the connections are good and the cables are big enough. I have run into such issues time and again with high current 12V applications. The more the voltage drop, the more you stress those power transistors in the controller, since more current is demanded to maintain the voltage going out.
  • Cousin_Eddy1's avatar
    Cousin_Eddy1
    Explorer
    May 24, 2017
    So, put all new batteries in. The voltage is a little lower behind the dash, than at the battery, but only by .2 -.3 V. So this wasn't my root cause. Oh, well, still needed new batteries anyway. I guess I have to replace the jack controller. They run $350. Not a happy camper. You'd think that it would last the life of the RV. Oh well.
  • crasster's avatar
    crasster
    Explorer II
    Mar 25, 2017
    Yeah low batts will wreck havoc and cause all types of mysterious issues on RV electronics and controllers. You may want to desulphate that battery to get the voltage up. Glad it worked out for you and thanks for posting the results.
  • Cousin_Eddy1's avatar
    Cousin_Eddy1
    Explorer
    Mar 24, 2017
    Ok, my main chassis battery is getting old, and voltage is typically lower behind the dash especially if you are running the dash AC, or have the lights on. So, the fix was to turn off everything. Start the motor, let the voltage come up. Hit any button and the unit shuts off. Then hit front and rear jacks at the same time. It goes into config mode. Hit the right jack button 3 times quickly. The "wait" light comes on. When that tuns off, everything works. Of course, time for a new set of batteries. Rather spend money on that, than a controller. So, another fix for the RVnet archives.
  • stacaz822's avatar
    stacaz822
    Explorer
    Mar 20, 2017
    First things first. Check ALL wiring and make SURE it's correct, and that you have no bad grounds or positives. Check with VM to be sure. It's likely user error.
  • Cousin_Eddy1's avatar
    Cousin_Eddy1
    Explorer
    Mar 20, 2017
    Ok. Was really just wondering if other people have had problems with this controller. Because, if the Power Gear 500731 controller is just a $350 piece of junk, I could probably just mount 4 momentary switches on the dash that will do the same thing for like $20. You know, so I'm not falling for the planned obsolescence deal.
  • jerseyjim's avatar
    jerseyjim
    Explorer
    Mar 19, 2017
    Contact PowerGear. They should have a 1-800 phone number. Also, visit their website. Lots of info there.

    g'luck!

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