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Topic: Self Powered Step Cover (Read 1172 times) previous topic - next topic

Self Powered Step Cover

Self Powered Step Cover

Just for giggles, I crawled under the coach, unhooked the air line to the step cover, and attached it to a separate 12 volt air pump.
It actually worked good.The pump had to run a few seconds to build enough air.
I had been contemplating hooking that air line to a small 12 volt compressor air tank, so it will work, even when the tanks are low.
I was backing into the drive the other day, using the brakes a quite bit backing slowly. My wife went to run the cover, but the pressure was too low.

We have a elderly dog, so my wife keeps it closed. I made a small fence we move in front of it, but it's kind of a hassle. Would be nice when dry camping for weeks at a time, if it could continue working on it's own.

Here is a tank with 150 psi compressor that would work. Easy to fabricate a mount under the coach and install.

12V 150PSI TRUCK PICKUP ON BOARD AIR HORN AIR COMPRESSOR WITH 3 LITER TANK |...

Anyone messed with what I am talking about?
Chris
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Sell powered step cover

Reply #1 –
No, as when we camp it is left open,but, why do you not cut a piece of plywood and drop it onto the slide track if you want it for dog and put a simple handle to lift it when you are about to move??
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Sell powered step cover

Reply #2 –
Quote from: John Haygarth –
No, as when we camp it is left open,but, why do you not cut a piece of plywood and drop it onto the slide track if you want it for dog and put a simple handle to lift it when you are about to move??
JohnH
Good Idea John, but that would be a bigger hassle to mess with, and I would have to pack it along. The fence works fine. This would be better.
I could unhook the air to the step and move it manually. I am thinking of terms of at night, when the wife has to take the dog out.
Chris
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Self Powered Step Cover

Reply #3 –
We keep it closed also - keep a blanket and doormat over it as well during the winter.  We're pretty youthful still (I'd like to think at least!) and hopping up inside with the step cover closed isn't too big of a deal.  If we've been parked long enough for the air pressure to run too low to run the step cover, we just push and pull on it manually - slides in and out fine with no air pressure.
James
w/ DW Erin, sons Gideon and Tobias, cats Oscar & Oliver
Fulltime 1999 U270 34' #5508

Re: Self Powered Step Cover

Reply #4 –
yes James is correct that once air is depleted (or close to) you can easily move the cover by hand.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Self Powered Step Cover

Reply #5 –
Quote from: John Haygarth –
yes James is correct that once air is depleted (or close to) you can easily move the cover by hand.
JohnH
Thanks for the input guys. Those are all good solutions, but It's juggling a blind and deaf dog with a bad leg (she has a pin in it from prior break) during the middle of the night when she needs to go out. Trying to do all those things, while trying to hold her is the hassle.
I mounted a switch right above the entry handle, to lock /unlock just the entry door power latch. This helps a bunch. It would just be easier if my wife can have the slide open and close all the time via a switch.
I have decided to make a PVC canister for now, with a check valve in it, along with an air fill valve. That way air from the engine will fill it, but it won't drop when the coach tanks drop. It will give a bunch of reserve.I have a good 12 volt compressor I use for jeeping, so I can also refill the tank easy
Later when we return home, I'll add the compressor /tank mentioned above. I have everything to do this on hand.
Chris
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Self Powered Step Cover

Reply #6 –
I have considered doing the same thing for both the inside step slide and the outside step. I have also wondered about replacing the air rams with light weight 12 volt screw jacks. I wonder if anyone has already done this?
Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada

Re: Self Powered Step Cover

Reply #7 –
Chris, it looks like it would work as long as the rams for the step and cover don't leak bad. Otherwise the tank will deplete quickly.
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: Self Powered Step Cover

Reply #8 –
Quote from: craneman –
Chris, it looks like it would work as long as the rams for the step and cover don't leak bad. Otherwise the tank will deplete quickly.
Yes, those are tight as a drum.At the least, it will work better in a low air situation.
Step and slide are tide together on same air line, would be easy to separate them.
I like the electric screw idea. I am sure someone has done it.
Bummer that I gave a car air tank away. I still have a race car one. May use it. Playing with it tomorrow
Thanks
Chris
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Self Powered Step Cover

Reply #9 –
Use a r-134 tank or any other refrigeration tank. They get thrown away. If you have room an empty propane tank.
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: Self Powered Step Cover

Reply #10 –
Use a automotive pwr window motor. They have an internal circuit breaker that trips at the end of travel so no need for limit switches
Toby a 94 u280
Cummins 8.3
6 speed Allison
Exhaust brake


Adopted by Derek and Annabelle

Re: Self Powered Step Cover

Reply #11 –
Looks like it would work just fine. Although I think the pressure to the cover is regulated to about 60/70 pounds.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Self Powered Step Cover

Reply #12 –
Quote from: bbeane –
Looks like it would work just fine. Although I think the pressure to the cover is regulated to about 60/70 pounds.
30-35 PSI
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348