Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Peter on March 14, 2021, 09:12:50 pm

Title: step wiring modification
Post by: Peter on March 14, 2021, 09:12:50 pm
I just completed the step wiring modification so the step would close without the ignition on.
I turned the HWH air system to off (for storage) and the air press front and rear is currently at about 60 LBS. A question I have, the step lowered and is now in the lower position, is this common wtth the air pressures reducing, that the step lowers? I know when I build the pressure back up the step works, but do I have anything to be concerned about?
Title: Re: step wiring modification
Post by: jor on March 14, 2021, 09:16:24 pm
Quote
do I have anything to be concerned about?

Nope. When the air pressure drops so does the step!  :D  If we could get rid of all the pesky air leaks that mod would work all the time. After the air leaks down, the only way to get the step up is to just push it up and it will stay in place.
jor
Title: Re: step wiring modification
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on March 14, 2021, 10:45:27 pm
Mine acts exactly the same way.  I did the step wiring mod years ago and wouldn't be without it.

Here is my question: why does the step drop down when the air pressure bleeds off, but it will stay UP when I push it up manually?  IF it is already up when the pressure bleeds off, why doesn't it just stay up?
Title: Re: step wiring modification
Post by: dsd on March 14, 2021, 10:58:55 pm
Pressure on the open side of the ram hasn't bleed off yet? Close side bleeds of first
Scott
Title: Re: step wiring modification
Post by: oldguy on March 14, 2021, 11:38:00 pm
I know that when the air bled off with mine it would open which probably a good thing as if I open the door and the step wasn't
down it might hurt. Mine has never stayed up all night as the air  would blead out in about 4 hours.
Title: Re: step wiring modification
Post by: Chuck & Jeannie on March 15, 2021, 08:35:24 am
I know that when the air bled off with mine it would open which probably a good thing as if I open the door and the step wasn't down it might hurt. Mine has never stayed up all night as the air would bleed off in about 4 hours.
Excellent Point!  Perhaps the air step designer was actually smart enough to anticipate this very situation, and built in this action as a safety measure.  After your comment, I see the wisdom in the way the OEM air steps work, and I'll stop questioning it.    :facepalm:

Note:  Years ago, after I made the "step wiring mod" I got in the habit of switching the step to "always down" mode as soon as we got parked for the night.  That way I knew it was DOWN regardless of the air system pressure, plus it didn't open and close with a "clunk" every time we went in or out.  I guess that's why I didn't think of your scenario.

For those Forum members not familiar with the "Step Wiring Mod" who may be scratching their heads and wondering what we are talking about, I refer you to the link below:

Modify outside air step wiring to allow step to retract when ignition is off... (https://wiki.foreforums.com/doku.php?id=house:steps:modifyairstepwiring)
Title: Re: step wiring modification
Post by: Barry & Cindy on March 15, 2021, 09:45:10 pm
Gravity ? Uses air pressure to stay up and to stay down. Without air pressure, step is free to move in any direction.