In a properly operating system while pressing retract button to bring room in what deactivates hydraulic pump once pin locking process is complete? Some say just continue pressing retract button for a brief time after room is in to allow pins to set but as shown in photo variation in time judgement can be hard on lock pin cylinders. Clean up is done, cylinders are resealed and it seems 5-6 seconds after room is completely in allows pins to set and us to activate travel mode. While this is OK for now we would like it to operate properly. On our previous 2001 U320 and occasionally on this new to us 2002 U295 while continuing to press the retract button after room is in both the hydraulic pump and red console light would turn off as it should. Suggestions how to achieve consistency will be greatly appreciated.
No knowledge of slides but much knowledge of hydraulics. There should be a pressure relief valve in a system to prevent over pressurization of cylinders and other sealed components.
But IS there one in this system?
If I had a slide I'd be poking around to find the answer to that question.
Sometimes they are built into the pump itself as a bypass. A question for slide owners or HWH.
Channeling my inner Brett here...
The cheap and easy things to first check are the two wiring harnesses for the pin sensors. They're behind the airbag that's aft of the driver's side steer tire. They're exposed to the elements and road debris. Checked for a worn wire, clean the plugs, and hit them with some dielectric grease. Will try to snap you a pic of them today.
Thanks
Jace,
I'm trying to picture what failed so that the oil came down the outside of the door instead of the inside. Perhaps it was also messy inside the bay.
I suggest a call to HWH tech support. Won't be quick but this time of year, the wait for a call back may not be more than a couple of weeks. Randy is a real expert on these systems. If possible, a visit to them would be even better.
Rich
The fluid exited under high pressure from failed pin seal where it comes out of the block to engage receiver above. Most of the escaping fluid was directed straight up but as the picture shows it did make a bit of mess which we were able to clean up quickly so no real damage was done. Just would prefer it not happen again. After replacing O-ring seals at the lower rear pin which was the obvious problem I decided to check the other three pins. The front bottom was fine but the front top one showed a few drips so I went ahead and resealed both of the upper pins.
Thanks for the reply Rich.
Jace
Sometimes it is easier and quicker to get a service appointment and go to HWH thanto get a callback.
If the pins lock and the sensors agree the hydraulic pump should shut off on its own. If it does not shut off when the slide is in hold the retract button for only a second or so.
There's a pressure switch that once the locks are engaged to keep holding the button down until it turns the pump off . I believe 3000 psi is achieved . If you have a leak in the system the pressure will not turn the switch off ,go look for a leak or bad pressure switch
This is only for the train system 2002
Roger: A trip to have the coach checked out at HWH is certainly something we would like to schedule. Based on weather what would be the earliest in the year it would be advisable to travel to Iowa?
John: No hydraulic leaks at present so pressure switch makes sense. Any ideas as to switch location?
Thanks for the help.
Jace
You should have something very similar to this
I've been there in early December the last two years. It's any easy time to get an appointment, relatively speaking. I just plan on extra travel time to work around weather.
Rich
Traveling through Iowa on I80 can be challenging. The weather is sort of predictable just barely.We have left Denver at 70° in March and been chased by significant storms all the way home. The last half of March should be OK. Leave a few extra days in the travel schedule for weather. Leave when it looks good. Figure out where you are going to stay if you need to for a few days. I80 at the Mississippi River has a nice COE park if it is open. There is a small RV park near HWH. During the week you can stay at HWH with 50 amp hookups. You cannot get in on Sunday so schedule work for Tuesday if you can and arrive Monday. They start work early. Most of this stuff gets fixed quickly there.
I have a owned my coach a 2002 U270 for over 13 years if I was going to race to Moscow Iowa every time I had an issue with the train system I might as well move to Moscow ,read everything you can and try to understand your system if you need to talk you can call me 281-744-7699 John
Thanks for the information, photos and boost of confidence John. HWH is a little out of the way for us and doing our own repairs usually allow us to be better equipped to deal with unexpected problems when they arise The experience and willingness to help from this forum never ceases to amaze me. Thanks again!!!
Jace
A trip to Iowa for many is a bit out of the way. But if you go you get to watch and ask questions, they will put hour coach up on their ramp and check for any air leaks and fix what is on their equipment. If you need parts they are right there. We got a new bladder manifold, $250 for a rebuilt one or $1000 for a new one. Same warranty. Easy choice.
You can learn as much as you can and it helps. Some times some factory help is good too. In 11 years we have been their three times, close to on our way home from anywhere. We have been out of there before noon every time. Sometimes things take longer but our visits have been short, get the job done and on our way. They replaced a pin sensor, showed me how to test it and how to replace it on one visit. $75 for the sensor, $45 for labor. We didn't even have time for lunch at the Tipton Family Diner about 10 miles north.
We've only been there once, early on in owning this coach, and we were greatly impressed. Well worth your time to go and have them check everything out. They will explain anything you ask about.
Weather there, as Roger said, can be "interesting." Winter storms can come down from Canada quickly. You can also have 70* and lots of sunshine. I would probably call HWH and make an appointment, then make reservations at a campground in the general area for about a week or so prior. Weather will then be great the whole time. If you don't, you will wish you had. At least that's been my winter experience.
As mentioned in this thread, the 2002 was the only year to get the train system. It's different than my 03 but as also mentioned, has a pressure switch that should turn the motor off once that pressure is reached, and turn the "pump on" light off. That's when you release the switch under normal operation.
Where are you located? I was in Quartzsite a few days ago and hit a shop in Lake Havasu City, AZ called 3-T RV Products on my return trip to have my MCD shades adjusted. They are a HWH repair facility as well. There may be one closer to you than the mothership.
Jace, I suspect the 3000 psi switch on the pump manifold could have failed. It would seem allot of pressure to cause the o-rings to fail in the ring lands. There are 4 5000 psi switches on the synchronizing cylinder. I replaced 1 because of a slow leak. I certainly make sure and allow pressure to build until the light goes out and the pump stops. Those lock cylinders must be completely engaged before I feel all warm and fuzzy. When I bought my 2002 U295 my LR slide did not work. The previous owner could not find anyone around Missoula to repair so it was deeply discounted. I found one of the locking cylinders had a crushed up magnet inside that would not trigger the reed switch. $3.00 hardware store magnet fixed it. Good for 3 years now. Knock on wood. Getting to Know this 2002 U295 pretty well now. Really enjoy the learning curve, BIG learning curve.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. We just received and installed the new 3000 psi switch from HWH. The pump now turns off 2 seconds after extension of room is complete and 6-7 seconds after retraction of room is complete. Also, the hydraulic fluid is staying in the system so we are making some progress. Coach now goes into travel mode just fine but if coach is not put in gear it goes back out of travel mode 58 seconds later, consistently. When it goes out of travel mode just push travel mode or HWH reset button on console and it goes right back in travel mode with no problem and again stays another 58 seconds. We have never had it come out of travel mode while driving but will always come out when parked and in neutral. We are planning a trip to HWH this spring but I'm not gutsy enough to go until weather is more stable. Any other suggestions?
TIA
Jace