Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Dick S on August 07, 2010, 07:46:46 pm

Title: How to move slides IN/OUT when the button doesn't work
Post by: Dick S on August 07, 2010, 07:46:46 pm
I would like to know what steps I would have to take retract or extend a slide when the normal process does not work.
What if the auxiliary air compressor quits working? What could go wrong with the hydraulics?
Thanks.
Title: Re: How to move slides IN/OUT when the button doesn't work
Post by: Barry Beam on August 07, 2010, 08:14:45 pm
Quote
I would like to know what steps I would have to take retract or extend a slide when the normal process does not work.

Dick,
There are emergency procedures here:
http://beamalarm.com/Documents/hwh_emergency_retract_room_procedure.htm (http://beamalarm.com/Documents/hwh_emergency_retract_room_procedure.htm)
Title: Re: How to move slides IN/OUT when the button doesn't work
Post by: Dick S on August 26, 2010, 08:35:00 pm
I have looked at this emergency procedure for retracting a slide room a couple times now. I think this screen shot shows the only thing that applies to my coach. I have confirmed that my manifold has the same number and arrangement of switches as shown.
What I don't get is, what can I do with these things to get a slide to retract???
Title: Re: How to move slides IN/OUT when the button doesn't work
Post by: Barry Beam on August 26, 2010, 11:22:47 pm
Quote
What I don't get is, what can I do with these things to get a slide to retract???

Wardrobe Scissor Extension Note: This unit has no locks.
1)   Make sure air compressor is running.
        Check seal make sure seal has deflated.
        If not you will have to manually deflate seal.
        Care will need to be taken if seal is manually deflated.
2)   Open room cylinder extend solenoid.
        If hyd. pump will run the room will retract at this point if seal is deflated.
3)   Once room is retracted close cylinder extend solenoid.
Title: Re: How to move slides IN/OUT when the button doesn't work
Post by: John S on August 27, 2010, 08:55:35 am
If you open the solenoid just a small turn till you hear a pur-ring sound.  That is all you need to do. You can also strap it in with the come along then too.
Title: Re: How to move slides IN/OUT when the button doesn't work
Post by: Dick S on August 29, 2010, 03:36:34 pm
I'm still confused, John what do I turn or adjust "just a little" to hear that "pur-ring" sound? Is there a nut, bolt or screw somewhere?
Maybe someone can point out the location on one of these photos?

Thanks. I apologize for not getting it.
Title: Re: How to move slides IN/OUT when the button doesn't work
Post by: Barry Beam on August 29, 2010, 05:18:02 pm
Quote
John what do I turn or adjust "just a little" to hear that "pur-ring" sound?
You need to turn the solenoid itself that the 2 wires are attached to shown on the photo.
Title: Re: How to move slides IN/OUT when the button doesn't work
Post by: George Hatfield on August 29, 2010, 06:17:46 pm
I've read this thread several times and have learned a lot.  But I still don't have a clear concept of how this works.  For example, if the hydraulic system actually moves the slide, what role does the air pump have in moving the slide other than inflating the sealing bladder?
Title: Re: How to move slides IN/OUT when the button doesn't work
Post by: Barry Beam on August 29, 2010, 07:25:18 pm
Quote
if the hydraulic system actually moves the slide, what role does the air pump have in moving the slide other than inflating the sealing bladder?

None, only needed for the bladder.
Title: Re: How to move slides IN/OUT when the button doesn't work
Post by: Dick S on August 29, 2010, 08:53:21 pm
Thanks Barry,
So if I rotate solenoid #1 in some direction, the front slide will retract. Then should I return it to its original position or just leave it?
Since there are no locking pins, what keeps the slide in place?
Title: Re: How to move slides IN/OUT when the button doesn't work
Post by: Barry Beam on August 29, 2010, 09:05:52 pm
Quote
I rotate solenoid #1 in some direction, the front slide will retract.
Then should I return it to its original position or just leave it?


1) Make sure air compressor is running. Check seal make sure seal has deflated. If not you will have to manually deflate seal. Care will need to be taken if seal is manually deflated.

2) Open room cylinder extend solenoid.
If hyd. pump will run the room will retract at this point if seal is deflated.

3) Once room is retracted close cylinder extend solenoid.


Quote
Since there are no locking pins, what keeps the slide in place?
The hydraulic pressure
Title: Re: How to move slides IN/OUT when the button doesn't work
Post by: George Hatfield on August 29, 2010, 09:44:10 pm
So does the air pump (the one in the electronics bay)  turn into a vacuum pump to deflate the bladder?  Or is there some other pump that deflates the bladder?

George
Title: Re: How to move slides IN/OUT when the button doesn't work
Post by: Barry Beam on August 29, 2010, 11:20:46 pm
Quote
So does the air pump (the one in the electronics bay)  turn into a vacuum pump to deflate the bladder?

There is a 12vdc Vacuum switch on each slide manifold to deflate the bladder.
Title: Re: How to move slides IN/OUT when the button doesn't work
Post by: Dick S on August 30, 2010, 09:36:19 pm
Barry, Just a couple more questions, I hope.
1. Does opening the extend solenoid reduce the pressure pushing the slide out and therefore allow the slide to retract? Do you know if opening a solenoid is like opening a faucet, i.e. turn left to open turn back to a stop to close?
2. I have reread that emergency procedure and can't find anything that tells how to deflate the seals manually. Do you know how to do that and can you explain?
Okay, one more...
3. What can be done if the hydraulic pump does not work?
Title: Re: How to move slides IN/OUT when the button doesn't work
Post by: Barry Beam on August 31, 2010, 02:58:43 pm
Quote
1. Does opening the extend solenoid reduce the pressure pushing the slide out and therefore allow the slide to retract? Do you know if opening a solenoid is like opening a faucet, i.e. turn left to open turn back to a stop to close?
It is not clear in the instructions but here is a better explanation.
In the back of the solenoid is a NUT.
Turn that nut  4 turns counter clockwise (NO MORE)
NOT the solenoid itself as I mistakenly eluded to earlier.
This will allow you to PUSH the slide in.
It will probably take more than one person to do it especially the long one.

Quote
2. I have reread that emergency procedure and can't find anything that tells how to deflate the seals manually. Do you know how to do that and can you explain?
Remove the hose from the manifold going to the bladder.
It will relieve the pressure but won't deflate.
Again not very clear from the instructions

Quote
3. What can be done if the hydraulic pump does not work?
If you mean can you still bring in the slide.
Yes, with the same procedures as above.

Some of these manuals could use a rewrite as they are not very clear  ::)
Title: Re: How to move slides IN/OUT when the button doesn't work
Post by: Dick S on August 31, 2010, 08:04:15 pm
Ok, it is starting t make some sense to me. This was helpful.
Like you I read this in the emergency procedure,
"3) Open room cylinder retract solenoid. If hyd. pump will run the room will retract at this point if seal is deflated.
4) Once room is retracted close cylinder retract solenoid."

Are you saying that even if the hyd. pump does run, you will still have to push the slide in?
I sure hope I never have to try this.
Title: Re: How to move slides IN/OUT when the button doesn't work
Post by: Barry Beam on August 31, 2010, 08:16:44 pm
Quote
Are you saying that even if the hyd. pump does run, you will still have to push the slide in?
If pump is working you do not need to push.
Just pray  ??? ;D
Title: Re: How to move slides IN/OUT when the button doesn't work
Post by: George Hatfield on September 12, 2010, 11:30:30 pm
I may be beating this topic to death, but here are a couple of photos and procedures for the group to comment on. 

1.  See air manifod image...

    a.  If the slide air seal develops a leak and the HWH pump runs on and on... I should turn the manual on/off switch to off.  This will isolate the pump from the bladder and the pump should turn off.  If that does not work, I can turn off the pump by pulling the fuse to the pump.

    b.  If the bladder will not deflate for some reason....how does one do this manually?  As I understand this manifold, if it has 12 volts, the bladder should  NOT be under pressure (it should be evacuated).  So if for some reason the manifold did not get 12v, it will remain inflated.  How does one get around this? 

2.  Hydraulic pump image.... If the slide is out and the system fails to bring it in, what should I do?  Assuming the bladder is deflated, I would turn the nut on end of the hydraulic retract solenoid as shown in the photo.  If the pump is working, it will then come in.  This assumes the solenoid has failed for some reason.  If the hydraulic pump is not running, I could push/pull it in manually.  Once in I would close the nut on the end of the solenoid.


Title: Re: How to move slides IN/OUT when the button doesn't work
Post by: Barry Beam on September 12, 2010, 11:53:13 pm
George,
I think you got it.
Quote
So if for some reason the manifold did not get 12v, it will remain inflated.  How does one get around this? 
Remove the hose going to the bladder on the bottom of manifold.
This will remove the air pressure in the bladder enough to move the slide.
Title: Re: How to move slides IN/OUT when the button doesn't work
Post by: John S on September 13, 2010, 01:46:09 pm
Quote
1. Does opening the extend solenoid reduce the pressure pushing the slide out and therefore allow the slide to retract? Do you know if opening a solenoid is like opening a faucet, i.e. turn left to open turn back to a stop to close?
It is not clear in the instructions but here is a better explanation.
In the back of the solenoid is a NUT.
Turn that nut  4 turns counter clockwise (NO MORE)
NOT the solenoid itself as I mistakenly eluded to earlier.
This will allow you to PUSH the slide in.
It will probably take more than one person to do it especially the long one.

Quote
2. I have reread that emergency procedure and can't find anything that tells how to deflate the seals manually. Do you know how to do that and can you explain?
Remove the hose from the manifold going to the bladder.
It will relieve the pressure but won't deflate.
Again not very clear from the instructions

Quote
3. What can be done if the hydraulic pump does not work?
If you mean can you still bring in the slide.
Yes, with the same procedures as above.

Some of these manuals could use a rewrite as they are not very clear  ::)



Let me help here, when you turn that little nut, you will hear a swoosh sound as the pressure is released.  Stop turning then. It should be no more than four turns.  To reseal turn back the other way till snug.