Slide Out Operational Question?

brulaz wrote:

dougrainer wrote:

...
There are probably 30 different types of electric slide mechanisms over the years. Not all have that clacking clutch. It depends on the system. Doug

Yep. My RBW (ALKO) doesn't. The motor just stalls when the stop hits the trailer frame. Or the shear bolt pops, or the drive shaft gets mangled, or the welded-on stop pops off.

Would rather have a clutch based mechanism like my tongue jack or the slides mentioned here.

Get a auto reset 12 volt breaker(10/15/20/25/30) whatever size you feel is the smallest you need. When the room torques up, the amp draw also increases. If you have the minimum size Circuit breaker it will kick out the current and then auto reset in a few minutes. Cheap way to prevent shear pin problems. Doug

TucsonJim wrote:
OP here. The slides are Lippert.

Lippert makes a bunch of slide designs also. Not just one type. Doug

OP here. The slides are Lippert.

dougrainer wrote:

...
There are probably 30 different types of electric slide mechanisms over the years. Not all have that clacking clutch. It depends on the system. Doug

Yep. My RBW (ALKO) doesn't. The motor just stalls when the stop hits the trailer frame. Or the shear bolt pops, or the drive shaft gets mangled, or the welded-on stop pops off.

Would rather have a clutch based mechanism like my tongue jack or the slides mentioned here.

Joe417 wrote:
I have a 2005 TC and a 2001 FW with slides. Not positive but think they are both Lippert.

They don't seem to have a clutch.

At the end of travel the motor loads up, quits moving, and quits making noise.

That's the que to let go.

I have run the jacks to the stop, at which time they do make the clacking noise.

I think when the clutch slips it does wear the mechanism, but if your "holding it too long" is only a "clacks" or two, then it's designed to work for a long time.

There are probably 30 different types of electric slide mechanisms over the years. Not all have that clacking clutch. It depends on the system. Doug

My slide only clacks when fully extended. I assume a couple clacks is normal and a harmless release of stress as part of the design.

On the way in the slide just stalls in silence. This is far more worry to me.

I have a 2005 TC and a 2001 FW with slides. Not positive but think they are both Lippert.

They don't seem to have a clutch.

At the end of travel the motor loads up, quits moving, and quits making noise.

That's the que to let go.

I have run the jacks to the stop, at which time they do make the clacking noise.

I think when the clutch slips it does wear the mechanism, but if your "holding it too long" is only a "clacks" or two, then it's designed to work for a long time.

I just had a situation for the first time where trying to extend the slide I would get the clacking but no movement. The slide had come in tight and I guess temperature change had made it tighter and it wouldn't go out. So, out with the socket wrench and start the manual extend. Several turns and the 12v took over.

dougrainer wrote:
The clacking is NORMAL. You run the room until you hear the first clicking/clacking. Then stop. That noise is the clutch. NORMAL noise and no harm will occur as long as you stop after the first second or so. Doug

Finally, the correct answer!
There is a clutch composed of springs, plates with holes in and ball bearings between the motor and the drive gears.
When the slide reaches end of travel this clutch is designed to slip so that the motor is not completely stalled.

These plates are held together with springs until such time as the torque is sufficient to lift the balls out of their holes, separating the plates.
The "clacking" noise is the ball bearings rolling between the holes in the two plates of the clutch. This allows the motor to continue to run, even when the output shaft is stalled.
Excessive use CAN wear them out, but they ARE adjustable for tension. Not for the faint hearted, but it can be done!

dougrainer wrote:
The clacking is NORMAL. You run the room until you hear the first clicking/clacking. Then stop. That noise is the clutch. NORMAL noise and no harm will occur as long as you stop after the first second or so. Doug

When I hear the clanking sound then I stop it. That's how I feel it's all the way opened or closed. maybe I need to carry some extra cotter pins.