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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Walkerfam7 on October 25, 2017, 10:37:00 am

Title: Strange Air Leveling System Alarm
Post by: Walkerfam7 on October 25, 2017, 10:37:00 am
Hey folks!  We have been having a random issue happening with the leveling system on our coach that has happened enough times for me to hop on here and see if anyone has had a similar issue. 

It seems to only occur when it is raining pretty significantly as far as we have noticed.  It will happen as we are driving along in the rain.  Basically a faint, almost half beep alarm will come on, even though everything else appears to be fine.  We will pull off at the nearest safe stop, dump the airbags, turn the coach off and back on again and into travel mode and the alarm will still be there....just really faint.  As we continue down the road it will eventually turn off.  All the while there are no warning lights or anything on the control panel and a visual check of all the airbags shows nothing outside of normal.  Last December we had our rear travel solenoids both replaced while in Nacogdoches.  Could it just be a slight glitch because the sensors are wet or is there something further we should look into that may be causing this?

Thanks in advance for your help.  :)
Title: Re: Strange Air Leveling System Alarm
Post by: wolfe10 on October 25, 2017, 10:40:03 am
If not warning lights lit, could also be an issue with the "antenna up" sensor.  I would replace it (under $5 at most box stores and certainly at home alarm companies).
Title: Re: Strange Air Leveling System Alarm
Post by: Moby on October 25, 2017, 10:57:55 am
Not to hijack the thread, Wolfe, but what does that antenna sensor look like on my rig?.
I'm having issues and can't identify it.
Title: Re: Strange Air Leveling System Alarm
Post by: wolfe10 on October 25, 2017, 11:06:11 am
Antenna up is a magnet and switch like you would find on a house-type alarm system on a window.

Go up on the roof and you will see it.  Not uncommon for water to get in and cause issues.
Title: Re: Strange Air Leveling System Alarm
Post by: gracerace on October 25, 2017, 11:07:11 am
You can hook the wires together at the antenna and by-pass it.
But from your post, sounds like a HWH solenoid getting wet at the 6 pack connection. Have fixed bunches of those.Even on new coaches.
Unplug the connections, clean them with contact cleaner,then put Dielectric Grease in them. You can get it at Napa. I would start with the back, seeing how they just replaced those.
Title: Re: Strange Air Leveling System Alarm
Post by: Moby on October 25, 2017, 11:13:23 am
Antenna up is a magnet and switch like you would find on a house-type alarm system on a window.

Go up on the roof and you will see it.  Not uncommon for water to get in and cause issues.
I see a lump under caulk, that would be the switch?
mount a magnet on the mast?
Title: Re: Strange Air Leveling System Alarm
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on October 25, 2017, 11:59:08 am
If you buy a new replacement switch, make sure you get the correct "type".  See description below:

"There are two types of reed switches: "normally open" reed switches and "normally closed" reed switches. The metal reeds on a normally open switch stay open when there is no magnet near the switch. In the presence of a magnetic field, the contacts of a normally-open reed switch will close. A normally-closed reed switch is closed when it is not near a magnet; as a magnet is brought close to it, a normally-closed switch will open."

The original factory installed switch could be wired either "NO" or "NC".
Title: Re: Strange Air Leveling System Alarm
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on October 25, 2017, 12:49:10 pm
Found this is our Forum parts number list:

Part Number Collection (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=11472.msg186964#msg186964)

NTE ELECTRONICS 54-627 SWITCH, REED, SPDT, 250mA, 125VAC (1 piece): Amazon.co... (https://www.amazon.com/NTE-ELECTRONICS-54-627-SWITCH-125VAC/dp/B00HPLJGB6)
Title: Re: Strange Air Leveling System Alarm
Post by: wolfe10 on October 25, 2017, 12:52:38 pm
Again, available at any place that deals with home security systems.
Title: Re: Strange Air Leveling System Alarm
Post by: Barry & Cindy on October 25, 2017, 03:52:20 pm
It is a common HWH alarm problem when driving in rain.  The 6-pack has a pressure switch with two wire and if connections are not clean when wet, they will partially complete the pressure switch circuit.  Clean the switch contacts with contact cleaner and spray with wire protector.  Cleaning may be all that is needed.
The alarm does not indicate a problem with system.
Title: Re: Strange Air Leveling System Alarm
Post by: wolfe10 on October 25, 2017, 04:15:14 pm
Yes, again, start with those things that can be triggered by water-- you have two places already-- total cost under $10.
Title: Re: Strange Air Leveling System Alarm
Post by: FourTravelers on October 26, 2017, 10:05:54 pm
My question would be...... how do you know its coming from the HWH system if there are no warning lights anywhere?
A "half beep"?  is the sound coming from the area of the HWH control pad? or from behind the dash instrument panel?

Ours has a warning light for the OTA antenna.... might just be to hard to see it blink in the daylight?