Don and Tys' HWH leveling problem (split from Re: We made it!)

Topic: Don and Tys' HWH leveling problem (split from Re: We made it!) (Read 798 times) previous topic - next topic

Don and Tys' HWH leveling problem (split from Re: We made it!)

July 31, 2013, 11:04:50 pm

Quote from: acousticart – July 31, 2013, 06:25:36 pm

The coach drove like a champ. We have a few issues that I need to address though... This is the first time I have tried to use the HWH leveling system in over a year since the coach was up on blocks. Although the travel mode seemed fine and the air holds about the sakes it did before I started this project, it won't go into leveling mode. I had the HWH computer disconnected for all the welding and I think I have it hooked up right, but I am looking for suggestions as I figure out where to start with trouble shooting the system.

Don, what is, or is not the HWH system doing when you try to level? Does the yellow light come on? Knowing you, you've probably figured it out by now
Richard B.

Re: Don and Tys' HWH leveling problem (split from Re: We made it!)

Reply #1 – July 31, 2013, 11:32:40 pm

It is definitely acting abnormally... When you hit the air button the second time nothing happens. Yellow lights don't flash and there's no leveling indication. Fortunately, the site we're parked on is quite level, and little manual leveling took care of it. The control pad works in manual mode, though I don't think it is operating normally. To perform many of the operations, it is necessary to first hit the off button on the control panel and then turn the air system back on to raise or lower any of the corners. According to the manual, you should be able to dump air or raise the coach regardless of the key position or the on off status of the control panel. That's definitely not the case now.

I did find what should have been the problem. There is a level sensing input on one of the motherboards in the HWH box that accepts inputs from the level sensor. One wire for each corner... When I was reconnecting the HWH leveling system, this wire was hidden and I didn't catch it at the time. When I found it today, and plug it in I thought my problem was solved. Turns out, no change! So now my thought is that when the HWH leveling system booted up without the sensor inputs connected it doesn't recognize the input from the level sensor. Look for ways to do a system reset on it, but so far I haven't found any... I only had a little time to work on it at the park, as I'm home now and the coach is still there, I won't have a chance to do anything about it until Saturday night or Sunday. I did not try disconnecting the chassis batteries and seeing if that would cause the HWH system to recognize that the level sensor was attached, but if I can't come up with any other ideas I will try first chance I get.
Don

Quote from: rbark – July 31, 2013, 11:04:50 pm

Don, what is, or is not the HWH system doing when you try to level? Does the yellow light come on? Knowing you, you've probably figured it out by now
Richard B.

Re: Don and Tys' HWH leveling problem (split from Re: We made it!)

Reply #2 – July 31, 2013, 11:35:30 pm

Don,
That's one small step for [a dedicated] man, one GIANT leap [in admiration and respect] for FoFum's.
Congratulations on a truly meaningful milestone and accomplishment!
We WILL see you down the road!
Neal
PS: Do you have the below HWH manual with you?

Re: Don and Tys' HWH leveling problem (split from Re: We made it!)

Reply #3 – August 01, 2013, 07:06:49 am

Don,
I had a situation once where my would not perform correctly and it was a low charge on the batteries.
Just a thought.
Jerry

Re: Don and Tys' HWH leveling problem (split from Re: We made it!)

Reply #4 – August 01, 2013, 11:28:50 am

Aw shucks... thanks Neal! I did not have this document and it appears to have information the other ones I have found do not, so thanks times two

.
Don

Quote from: Neal Pillsbury – July 31, 2013, 11:35:30 pm

Don,
That's one small step for [a dedicated] man, one GIANT leap [in admiration and respect] for FoFum's.
Congratulations on a truly meaningful milestone and accomplishment!
We WILL see you down the road!
Neal
PS: Do you have the below HWH manual with you?

Re: Don and Tys' HWH leveling problem (split from Re: We made it!)

Reply #5 – August 01, 2013, 05:59:50 pm

I had to change out my sensor a couple months ago. It was not leveling on some of the ground I was on. I put it right next to the HWH box so it has a short run and I did not have to pull lots of cable.

Re: Don and Tys' HWH leveling problem (split from Re: We made it!)

Reply #6 – August 01, 2013, 07:52:33 pm

Thanks for the suggestion John. The sensor would be a relatively cheap fix compared to the control box I am sure...
Don

Quote from: John S – August 01, 2013, 05:59:50 pm

I had to change out my sensor a couple months ago. It was not leveling on some of the ground I was on. I put it right next to the HWH box so it has a short run and I did not have to pull lots of cable.

Re: Don and Tys' HWH leveling problem (split from Re: We made it!)

Reply #7 – August 02, 2013, 03:47:39 pm

I'm sure that I have read that HWH has great support on this forum... Does anybody know if they will talk to you on the phone about problems and potential solutions? Anybody have any names and numbers handy for direct telephone communication? I have Emailed them a question from their link on their website, but so far have received no reply.

Re: Don and Tys' HWH leveling problem (split from Re: We made it!)

Reply #8 – August 02, 2013, 04:16:01 pm

Good luck Don. I talked to the receptionist there on June 28 and she told me tech support was backed up 3 weeks for phone support and I should email them. I told her I had and she said they were having some problem with the email address on the web site. She gave me service@hwh.com. I emailed them within the next couple days at that address. So far I still haven't heard back.

Re: Don and Tys' HWH leveling problem (split from Re: We made it!)

Reply #9 – August 02, 2013, 04:19:36 pm

Thanks for the heads up Dick! That is disappointing information... at least now I won't be waiting for the phone to ring or expecting an email anytime soon. Most of the glowing reports I heard about and have come from people who were actually there in Moscow, ~~Idaho~~ Iowa. It seems that they aren't as responsive to people who aren't knocking on their door...

Don

Quote from: Dick S – August 02, 2013, 04:16:01 pm

Good luck Don. I talked to the receptionist there on June 28 and she told me tech support was backed up 3 weeks for phone support and I should email them. I told her I had and she said they were having some problem with the email address on the web site. She gave me service@hwh.com. I emailed them within the next couple days at that address. So far I still haven't heard back.

Re: Don and Tys' HWH leveling problem (split from Re: We made it!)

Reply #10 – August 02, 2013, 04:34:56 pm

Moscow, Iowa and they do call back eventually. You could try and call James Triana at FT or email him there or Mark Harvey. There is also a different number for their authorized service people to call at HWH. I don't have that one but maybe someone here does.

Re: Don and Tys' HWH leveling problem (split from Re: We made it!)

Reply #11 – August 02, 2013, 04:39:36 pm

I just resolved an HWH problem last week. It did take them more than a month for the technician to call me back, but once he made contact with me I was able to call back there with a referance number and get the same technician. The help I got from them was great once that the contact was made with their technician. I was told they only have 2 tech's and they have a tremendous back log, and sometimes they are on the phone for a couple of hours at a time.

Re: Don and Tys' HWH leveling problem (split from Re: We made it!)

Reply #12 – August 02, 2013, 06:12:15 pm

It's been about 1 1/2 years since we had an HWH problem on the road. We received a call back within the day, and received enough information to complete our trip. After arriving home, I pulled the "brain" and the control pad and sent them to HWH. They turned the job around in about two weeks. There was a loose connection where a wire connected to a pin. They fixed it and put a new face on the keypad. Cost was under $100.

Our problem occurred in the winter. I expect this may be a busy travel season, causing many more people to be calling than in the winter.

Re: Don and Tys' HWH leveling problem (split from Re: We made it!)

Reply #13 – August 02, 2013, 08:22:06 pm

Thanks J. D.... that sounds very reasonable. And I will be checking for loose connections at the back of the plugs when I get back to where the coach is!
Don

Quote from: J. D. Stevens – August 02, 2013, 06:12:15 pm

It's been about 1 1/2 years since we had an HWH problem on the road. We received a call back within the day, and received enough information to complete our trip. After arriving home, I pulled the "brain" and the control pad and sent them to HWH. They turned the job around in about two weeks. There was a loose connection where a wire connected to a pin. They fixed it and put a new face on the keypad. Cost was under $100.

Our problem occurred in the winter. I expect this may be a busy travel season, causing many more people to be calling than in the winter.

Re: Don and Tys' HWH leveling problem (split from Re: We made it!)

Reply #14 – August 03, 2013, 10:39:12 am

On my 96, I would have an occasional problem that was caused by the connector on the back of the touchpad wiggling loose. It was the cable that looks similar to a telephone wire (flat). I would just push the connector back in place and all fixed.

Oh, and it is true that it takes weeks to get a call back from HWH tech. I've had a call into them for over a month and just yesterday I received the call back.

Jim

Re: Don and Tys' HWH leveling problem (split from Re: We made it!)

Reply #15 – August 03, 2013, 11:15:21 am

Don,

I have the complete HWH repair manual for the 600 series. I can copy and send as PDFs tonight or tomorrow. It is the least members can do for all the photos and insight into your extremely well thought out bulkhead repair.

Pierce

Re: Don and Tys' HWH leveling problem (split from Re: We made it!)

Reply #16 – August 03, 2013, 12:24:34 pm

Thanks Pierce! The more I can learn about this the better...
Don

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – August 03, 2013, 11:15:21 am

Don,

I have the complete HWH repair manual for the 600 series. I can copy and send as PDFs tonight or tomorrow. It is the least members can do for all the photos and insight into your extremely well thought out bulkhead repair.

Pierce

Re: Don and Tys' HWH leveling problem (split from Re: We made it!)

Reply #17 – August 03, 2013, 12:43:17 pm

Don,
I would pull and push back on all the small plug in connectors on the computer.
You may get lucky.

Re: Don and Tys' HWH leveling problem (split from Re: We made it!)

Reply #18 – August 03, 2013, 08:13:03 pm

Quote from: John Duld – August 03, 2013, 12:43:17 pm

Don,
I would pull and push back on all the small plug in connectors on the computer.
You may get lucky.

IIRC that was one of the troubleshooting steps recommended by the HWH technician when we had a problem. Also, check the ground wire and all of the fuses. There are a bunch of them inside the controller on our coach.

Also, unplug/plug the communication cable on the back of the operators panel in order to wipe the contacts. After you do that, secure it with a zip tie. It is likely to eventually come loose if not secured. BTDT.

Re: Don and Tys' HWH leveling problem (split from Re: We made it!)

Reply #19 – August 03, 2013, 10:24:37 pm

Thanks J.D. I have done all of that and include taking all power away from the box and panel. I don't think it is quite right yet, but it does go through an auto level process now and the yellow lights will come on to indicate the low side or end. I have to do some more systematic testing and will post more about it when I have had a chance to do that. The good news is that the sensor is definitely communicating with the control box now and that is a big relief!
Don

Quote from: J. D. Stevens – August 03, 2013, 08:13:03 pm

IIRC that was one of the troubleshooting steps recommended by the HWH technician when we had a problem. Also, check the ground wire and all of the fuses. There are a bunch of them inside the controller on our coach.

Also, unplug/plug the communication cable on the back of the operators panel in order to wipe the contacts. After you do that, secure it with a zip tie. It is likely to eventually come loose if not secured. BTDT.

Re: Don and Tys' HWH leveling problem (split from Re: We made it!)

Reply #20 – August 03, 2013, 11:48:57 pm

One of the first things the manual will have you do is to try to manually level the coach to make sure that the solenoids on the 6 pack manifolds are working. If you follow the trouble shooting steps it will tell you what is the trouble. I think that hwh is still being hurt by the 08 recession for rv markets and there is very heavy competition in leveling systems and slide rooms, so I think that has really drained them for money

Re: Don and Tys' HWH leveling problem (split from Re: We made it!)

Reply #21 – August 05, 2013, 04:49:56 pm

Don, FWIW I sent a 'bump' email to HWH the same day I posted here and got an reply back later the same day from Joe Portelli. He did answer my question.

Also, I should have mentioned, the receptionist told me the phone backup relates to routine calls. If you are stranded due to an HWH problem, they will get you to tech support the same day. So, if that is your situation, be sure to make it clear that you are stranded.

Re: Don and Tys' HWH leveling problem (split from Re: We made it!)

Reply #22 – August 05, 2013, 05:39:11 pm

Good info Dick! Fortunately that is not our situation. The problem is somewhat resolved after my mucking about and I plan to run through the systems test systematically first chance I get. The coach is back home without incident and a fairly long list of todo's...

Don

Quote from: Dick S – August 05, 2013, 04:49:56 pm

.... If you are stranded due to an HWH problem, they will get you to tech support the same day. So, if that is your situation, be sure to make it clear that you are stranded.

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