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Topic: Turning Off HWH Panel While Parked (Read 585 times) previous topic - next topic

Turning Off HWH Panel While Parked

When we bought our 1999 U320, we heard several different theories from owners of similar coaches about how they level and they use the HWH panel. I'm just trying to get some sense of "best practices" here and to understand what's really happening.  Two specific questions, but feel free to address other topics we might need to know:

    • One friend recommended totally dumping air, then leveling, to eliminate as much rocking motion as possible when the coach is parked. I've never figured out a sequence of key-presses that would accomplish that.
    • More recently it was suggested to us that after leveling (by whatever method) to turn OFF the HWH panel. I thought I understood the reason to be that it would keep the compressor from running, that we hear about twice every 24 hours.  We've never minded the sound, but turning off the switch didn't stop whatever we hear from running anyway.
    [/list]

    So, what's going on here? Sorry this is a newbie type question, but after nine months full-time in the coach, we're still discovering there is a lot we don't know.
    The selected media item is not currently available.Richard & Susan Peck
    ____________________
    1999 40' U320 "Bob Patrick"
    (2000 4010 U320 WTFE Floor Plan, Single Slide)
    Build #5567  |  MC #17522

    Re: Turning Off HWH Panel While Parked

    Reply #1 –
    The 12 volt pump provides air pressure for inflating and deflating the slide bladder along with leveling.  Unless you remove the fuse, I believe it will run whenever the air pressure drops.

    As for leveling, I find my system will occasionally dump a little air to maintain level, and eventually need to run the pump to paint it back up.  I can shut the system off to stop this cycling and the coach stays level for extended periods of time.
    Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
    and Diane Lang
    2003 38 U295 build 6209
    2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
    still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
    Temple City, California
    Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
    SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
    FMCA F071251
    Retired electrical and electronic engineer

    Re: Turning Off HWH Panel While Parked

    Reply #2 –
    My mechanic located and fixed all the suspension side leaks after  we acquired our coach.  Left for long periods of time with the hwh system off after leveling it does not move.
    "Riding and rejoicing"
    Bob
    1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
    2007 Solara convertible
    2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

    1095 watts solar
    08 Ls 460 and a sc430
    2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

    Re: Turning Off HWH Panel While Parked

    Reply #3 –
    There is a dump valve switch on the panel. I dump all air before leveling to keep the entry door as low as possible for my wife.
    1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
    prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
    2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
    Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

    Re: Turning Off HWH Panel While Parked

    Reply #4 –
    craneman, after dumping do you auto level using two pushes, and do you keep engine running. Then when you are ready to leave do you hit the storage button?
    1995 U320 40', 2013 chevy sonic toad, my real love are corvettes have owned 30

    Re: Turning Off HWH Panel While Parked

    Reply #5 –
    After dumping hit the level button twice with engine running. When ready to leave turn off the leveling system and start engine and wait for travel light is how I do it. I don't have a storage button

    I stand corrected the manual does not want the air dumped level from ride height.
    1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
    prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
    2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
    Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

    Re: Turning Off HWH Panel While Parked

    Reply #6 –
    You might wish to review this:

    HWH Leveling Procedures


    Scott & Carol Seibert
    2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
    Previous - 2002 36' U320

    Re: Turning Off HWH Panel While Parked

    Reply #7 –
    I will level from ride height even though I cannot think of a reason to not dump the bags first.
    1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
    prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
    2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
    Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

    Re: Turning Off HWH Panel While Parked

    Reply #8 –
    I dump the bags for the same reason that Craneman does and that also holds my wheel covers in place so that they don't blow away in the night.
    Speedbird1
    2001 U320 Build #5865
    Daihatsu Rocky Toad
    VW Touareg
    '82 F100 Stepside
    Beech' Debonair

    Re: Turning Off HWH Panel While Parked

    Reply #9 –
    Quote from: craneman –
    When ready to leave turn off the leveling system and start engine and wait for travel light is how I do it.

    n.b. that the light is not an indication that you're at ride height all around, it just indicates that you have adequate pressure.  Ride height should be verified visually before moving

    Here's a previous discussion topic on leveling So -- How do you level your coach?

    Quote from: craneman –
    I will level from ride height even though I cannot think of a reason to not dump the bags first.

    If you are on a significantly unlevel site dumping all the air might twist the coach and put things like the windshield at risk.  Kind of like manually leveling improperly can do.
    Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

    2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
    2003 U320

    Re: Turning Off HWH Panel While Parked

    Reply #10 –
    I sometimes dump some air before leveling in order to lower the coach for convenience at the step. I cease leveling at the sound and feel of any "corner" hitting a stop. That is how I attempt to avoid the twisting forces that Michelle mentioned.

    If you can't sense when a "corner" comes to rest on at the bottom of the allowing movement, you may want to use automatic leveling from travel height.

    I sense vary slight changes in attitude of the coach, can feel the suspension hitting bottom, and can hear the leveling relays "rattle" when an air spring bottoms. My bride, doesn't identify those events. Different folk have different sensitivities. (OTOH, she is really good at noticing some things that escape me altogether.  :D )
    J D Stevens
    1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
    2002 Subaru Outback
    Motorcade 16869
    Bellville, TX