Forum Discussion

cdlaine's avatar
cdlaine
Explorer
Jan 03, 2016

opportunity to use manual (crank) on front jacks....

So, question for the wise forum members....

This a.m. leaving the desert camp site, went to raise my front 5ver
jacks to allow hook up to the hitch. Only the "retract" toggle worked, the "extend" toggle (when activated) was anemic at best.... frustrated, I checked the fuse (intact), was still hooked up to shore power...could not figure out what the problem indicated. So, decided to use the manual bar crank.... if you have not done this I suggest you try it at least once. Better eat your Wheaties. The engaging of the rod end with the mechanism is problematic as visualization is limited. After numerous attempts correct contact was achieved and the heavy lifting was initiated. All went well from that point.

As I was making my last checks prior to departure I looked inside my water/flush/winterize compartment and noticed that the day before I had turned the "battery disconnect" to "on" . After returning to "off" both front jacks functioned correctly.

I am not sure I am explaining correctly ...but the moral to the story, don't be like me. Make sure your manual assist mechanism is functioning correctly, and, I guess, leave the battery disconnect alone when out camping. Ha !

So, question... why does the battery disconnect switch position impact the powered front jacks when connected to shore power ? or,
was this just a coincidence and I need to investigate further ? :h

Charles
  • Stefonius's avatar
    Stefonius
    Explorer
    Jan 10, 2016
    tallpall888 wrote:
    I'm thinking Ole Biscuit is correct. Think about your 5th in storage...and they have to move it for some reason. If they can't raise/lower the front in order to get it connected, that's a problem. That drive should be directly connected to the battery unaffected by the position of the battery disconnect switch.
    My 5th is in storage. The batteries are sitting in my garage at home and there is a lock on the kingpin. If "they" have to move it for some reason, "they" had better call me first. I would be extremely displeased if someone moved my vacation home without direct authorization or advance permission!
  • tallpall888's avatar
    tallpall888
    Explorer
    Jan 10, 2016
    I'm thinking Ole Biscuit is correct. Think about your 5th in storage...and they have to move it for some reason. If they can't raise/lower the front in order to get it connected, that's a problem. That drive should be directly connected to the battery unaffected by the position of the battery disconnect switch.
  • 1Wheeldrive's avatar
    1Wheeldrive
    Explorer
    Jan 03, 2016
    Biscuit, it is not always the case that jacks, slides, etc. are wired directly to the battery or batteries. I have a 2012 Voltage 3200, and the battery disconnect switch is in the thick hot (+) lead coming directly off of the batteries. I believe it is a marine type switch. When the disconnect switch is in the off position, there is no power to anything in the trailer. The lead coming out of the switch goes to a buss bar, and then the leads for the slides and jacks take their power from that buss bar.
    For me, if the battery disconnect switch doesn't completely disconnect all power form the trailer, it is not really doing the job it should be doing.
  • Tom_Diane's avatar
    Tom_Diane
    Explorer
    Jan 03, 2016
    I'm smiling big time as I read the post!
    My first time out with the 5er I over extended the jacks and blew the fuse when I set up. I realized that I wasn't going to crank them up after I stuck the rod in position and what seemed like 20 turns yielded about 1/2. I locked up the 5er and drove 10 miles to get a fuse and now I carry more than I will use in my lifetime but I am generous enough that when I new RV owners trying to trouble shoot the jacks I will show them the problem and give them fuse and the advise to get a supply to keep handy!
  • cdlaine's avatar
    cdlaine
    Explorer
    Jan 03, 2016
    Biscuit...

    Truth. Lesson learned. And, I can attest to the real world
    application of gear ratio as related to rotator cuff discomfort.
    I need to quit messin' with all the gizmos and gadgets.

    Charles
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jan 03, 2016
    Front landing gear, slide outs, rear electric stabilizer jacks......ALL are wired DIRECTLY to battery because of the HIGH amp draw.

    Battery disconnect is for 'Storage'........disconnects battery from trailer DC System so that parasitic drains are minimized during periods of non-use.

    When camping LEAVE it in normal position

    The landing gear box is a 3:1 ratio........OK when motor is driving it but lots of cranks when YOU are the driver

    BTDT and took turns :B
  • cdlaine's avatar
    cdlaine
    Explorer
    Jan 03, 2016
    Thanks Jerry.... operator error to be sure. And, now that you
    mention it, getting the slides in was an iffy proposition.

    ... in theory, the battery kill switch seems like a "must have" ...
    in every day use, not so much. Just another thing to have to
    remember in an already crowded brain stem. Think I'll just leave
    it alone.


    Charles
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Jan 03, 2016
    Without battery power, the shore power alone, after going through the converter, would likely not be enough to lift the trailer. I wouldn't think you would have been able to pull slides in either, if they are electric.

    Jerry

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