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bkenobi's avatar
bkenobi
Explorer
Nov 15, 2018

Happijac TC jacks stop, no light

2007 NL 10'2QRR. tag says 2425# dry, but I beleive wet and equipment is closer to 3500# (haven't checked). HJ system with wired remote and 4500/4150 jacks.

When loading the camper from the ground (was dropped way down so a long lift), the HJ system stopped many times after around 10-15 seconds. The light on the remote would turn off and no response to button presses. After waiting a few seconds things came back to life. I did joggle the plug, but I beleive that didn't affect anything.

The dealer thinks it's the circuit breaker in the battery compartment. That's an easy change, but is that a reasonable culprit? I measured load on each jack when lifting and it was 4-5A. Total load on controller was over 20A. the breaker is rated at 40A, but the terminals have a fair amount of corrosion. Is this a good first thing to replace? If so, I'd just replace all 5 at the same time.

20 Replies

  • When it stops working try pressing the all up and all down buttons at the same time for a quick reset. This is standard procedure for a wired remote like you and I both have. Also Be very thankful you have the old style wired remote and also the non quick release jacks. :)
  • Like I said, I haven't lubed the jacks. It's on my todo list. I replaced all 4 circuit breakers tonight. For such a simple job, it certainly was a PITA! 2 came off fine. The other 2... well, I got them replaced too.
  • Do you have a charge source connected when using jacks, either truck still running or shore power?
    Especially lifting if I don't have a charge source jacks will stall after a few, quite a load. Very rare that I try without a charge source, don't want to drain the batteries 1st thing getting loaded or setting up camp. Going down not an issue.
  • bkenobi wrote:
    I do have to watch to keep things on the ground. One of the rear is slightly slower. I usually watch the level on the bumper, the two rear jacks to keep them down, and under the cab-over to confirm the gap. I do have some times when clicking is an issue. That can usually be corrected by raising slightly before lowering again. I'm hoping lubricating the head will help since lubing the legs didn't make much difference.


    Did you take the bottoms all apart as per the information in the truck camper bible at the top of this forum? The first one took me about half a day as I went slow. By the time I did the last one, it took about an hour to tear them apart, lube, and rebuild. I used an electric drill to run the screws up and down as I plied them with blue grease after I had them apart.

    20 Amps is a big load and if you are cutting out, then in a few seconds going again, your overload relay might just be telling you to take it easy. It sounds like everything is working as it should, just take your time and don't push it.
  • I have remote controlled reiko titan jacks, and if I get to far away from the receiver while raising/lowering camper my jacks will cut off and on. Make sure you have a good battery in your remote and try standing closer to your remote receiver.
  • I do have to watch to keep things on the ground. One of the rear is slightly slower. I usually watch the level on the bumper, the two rear jacks to keep them down, and under the cab-over to confirm the gap. I do have some times when clicking is an issue. That can usually be corrected by raising slightly before lowering again. I'm hoping lubricating the head will help since lubing the legs didn't make much difference.
  • I agree with Artum. Try doing 2 jacks at a time. When I run all 4 at once they all work but they run at different speeds and one or more of the legs will be off the ground with the camper balancing on the others. Working with a pair at a time I can keep everything balanced and keep the nose high, where I want it when I'm finished.
  • HJ responded and confirmed that 4-5A is within acceptable range (8A max). They said lubrication is needed as standard maintenance so I'll add it to todo list.

    I think I'll go ahead and replace all breakers and check/tighten connections since it's easy enough.
  • If load through each motor is even, then the units themselves are working properly. Have you tried doing the front a few inches, then the back a few inches. When I had a heavy camper like yours, I would find that one rear jack would often be hanging in free air, and I would constantly be running that one down.

    Having said that, that meant that the other rear jack was taking all the load.

    I would suggest that instead of pushing all four, try two at a time.
    Definitely tighten all terminals, including both the lines out to the jacks and the returns coming back from the jacks.