? Slides -- Design flaw or "the way they all do it"?

DutchmenSport wrote:
If you disconnect the battery, plug into shore power, and try to open or close the slides using the converter only, they won't work.

SoundGuy wrote:
Not universally true. Several times I've operated the slide, awning, and tongue jack using only the on board WFCO 8955 converter for source power. Works just fine. :B

Lantley wrote:
I imagine on some units the slides will work without a battery when on shore power. However the more prudent design is for them to operate on 12 volt battery power.
Shore power may not always be available but a charged battery should always be available.

A non-issue as I've also powered the slide, awning, and tongue jack by simply powering the trailer from the truck which is always "available". ;)

SoundGuy wrote:

DutchmenSport wrote:
If you disconnect the battery, plug into shore power, and try to open or close the slides using the converter only, they won't work.

Not universally true. Several times I've operated the slide, awning, and tongue jack using only the on board WFCO 8955 converter for source power. Works just fine. :B

Mine will work without a battery also. When I bought it we operated the slides and there was no battery in it.

SoundGuy wrote:

DutchmenSport wrote:
If you disconnect the battery, plug into shore power, and try to open or close the slides using the converter only, they won't work.

Not universally true. Several times I've operated the slide, awning, and tongue jack using only the on board WFCO 8955 converter for source power. Works just fine. :B

I imagine on some units the slides will work without a battery when on shore power. However the more prudent design is for them to operate on 12 volt battery power.
Shore power may not always be available but a charged battery should always be available.

DutchmenSport wrote:
If you disconnect the battery, plug into shore power, and try to open or close the slides using the converter only, they won't work.

Not universally true. Several times I've operated the slide, awning, and tongue jack using only the on board WFCO 8955 converter for source power. Works just fine. :B

Slideouts, electric jacks, front landing gear....ALL wired DIRECTLY to battery due to high amp draw......each will have it's own in-line fuse (or DC circuit breaker) which will be at least 30A

DC Dist Panel ---individual circuits 15A and won't handle the high amp draw from those components

Converter via shore power OR DC Charge Line via truck help maintain battery but will not supply enough needed DC for those components


Gotta keep them batteries fully charged !

THey draw a lot of power (Well mine draws about 10 amps sliding way more running) often teh converter or engine alternator can not provide enough current. So the battery is a MUST HAVE to get 'em to work.

Now my PD 9180.. SHOULD be able to slid 'em. but I'd not bet on it (never tried).

12v makes a lot of sense as many camp away from shore power.

Running it thru the battery avoids overloading the charging system...particularly the truck plug doesn't provide a ton of amps. By running it thru the battery, the battery can easily handle the amperage called for (obviously from battery to slide motor needs sufficient cabling but the manufacturer is well aware of that)

Yes to all the above.

If you disconnect the battery, plug into shore power, and try to open or close the slides using the converter only, they won't work. I think this is what the OP mean. Yes, this is normal.

But, if your batteries are charged well, you do not need to be plugged into shore power. The slides will work off the battery just fine without shore power.

My motorhome works the same way, off of batteries but Newmar strongly suggests that you be hooked to shore power or running the generator when extending or retracting the slides to make sure the batteries have enough juice. The slides will do nothing if the chassis motor is running.