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Topic: Air Leveling  (Read 996 times) previous topic - next topic

Air Leveling

I have the HWH leveling system.  Have been in RV Park for several days.  The leveling system has started to come on every 1.5 to 2 hours.  I have read about the system, however, it is all kinda of Greek to me at this point.... I'm a rookie still learning.... on my first trip.

Please advise if this is normal or abnormal.  Also advise in the simplest and easiest terms what I should do if something needs to be done.

Thanks in advance


SEW
Susan Wright
2003 Foretravel U320 38Tag
2002 Jeep Wrangle
Susan Wright
2003 U320 38' Tag
02 Jeep Wrangler

Re: Air Leveling

Reply #1 –
Quote from: SEW –
Please advise if this is normal or abnormal.
Susan,

When you get a chance, read through the HWH Owners Manual.  Will probably take several "reads" before it is all clear (it did for me).

Your coach is newer than ours, but I will assume your HWH system operates in a similar manner.

When you park your coach, you can leave the leveling system in one of two "modes".

One mode is "OFF".  In this condition, the leveling system does nothing.  Depending on the condition of your air system and all the various components, your coach may stay in the same position it is when you park it (which is usually at travel height), OR due to small air leaks it may gradually start to "settle" at one side, or corner, or end.  In this mode, if the coach becomes un-level, you can manually let air out of some of the air bags, and re-level the coach.  Eventually, you will end up with the coach sitting all the way down on the "hard" stops and all the air bags deflated.  There is no problem with doing this, as long as the spot where you are parked is fairly level.

The other mode is "AUTO LEVEL".  You put the coach in this mode by pressing the "AIR" button twice (at least on our coach).  In this mode, the leveling system will attempt to keep the coach level.  It does this in several steps.  The first step is by letting air out of some of the bags.  For instance, if (due to slow air leaks) the front of the coach sinks down, then the system will let air out of the rear bags to re-level the coach.  It will continue releasing air to keep the coach level, until that doesn't work any more.  Then it will go to "Plan B", which is adding air to some of the bags.  It will use air pressure stored in your air tanks to do this, until that supply is exhausted.  At that point, the little 12V HWH aux air compressor will start running occasionally to supply the air pressure required to keep the coach level.

In "AUTO LEVEL" the system will come on every 30 minutes and check to see if any adjustment is required.  It sounds like this is probably what is happening with your coach.  This is the normal system operation, so nothing to worry about.  If the automatic leveling activity is bothering you or you would like to stop it, just turn the HWH panel power off, and the system will shut off.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Air Leveling

Reply #2 –
It sounds like you are in auto level mode and you have a leak in the system.  The system checks every 30 minutes (I think that is the value) and if the coach is not level, it will relevel it and go back to sleep for 30 minutes.  If you are parked in a level spot, lowering the coach all the way and turning off the HWH will stop the constant attempts to level until you can get the system checkout and fixed.  It should not hurt to let it keep leveling every 1.5 to 2 hours if you are not in a level spot.  It is important to stay level or you could damage your frig.

Rich
Rich and Peggy Bowman
2002 U270 3610 WTFS, build #5939--"Freedom"
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4xe
SMI AirForceOne brake system
PakCanoe 15

Re: Air Leveling

Reply #3 –
SEW, you can press the air button once and go into manual mode.  When you get into your space, leave the engine running, press the air button once, use the arrow buttons to raise or lower the front or rear or side to side.  Put the slide(s) out and adjust level as needed.  Turn the engine off.

You are still in manual mode.  If one end or side is higher then the opposite let some air out of the high side to lower it. 

This is just another way to stay level without running the small compressor.  If you have an LP gas refrig then you need to stay pretty level.  The refrigerator should have an out of level indicator if you get too far out of what it likes. 
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Air Leveling

Reply #4 –
On an 03 if you have a slide out, it could be the cause of the compressor coming on. There could be a leak in a slide bladder or perhaps one of the solenoids on the slide out air manifold.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Air Leveling

Reply #5 –
The compressor coming on every 1.5 - 2 hrs for 20-30 seconds is close to normal.  SEW doesn't say if level is holding steady or not so ... if holding level it could be a bladder leak(s) or something in the bladder manifold(s) or between the manifold(s) and the HWH tank or between the HWH tank and the compressor.

If level is sagging one way or another then it could be anything between the compressor and the front or rear level manifolds, a ride height valve, or anything up to and including any of the air bags.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Air Leveling

Reply #6 –
Thanks everyone... that issue is now better understood and all was working well.  I'm now in a campground in Oakham, MA.    All was well... living room slide went out fine.... on to bedroom....everything sounded like crashing timbers.  Hioefully have repair coming tomorrow.  I'll know in the AM

Susan
Susan Wright
2003 U320 38' Tag
02 Jeep Wrangler

Re: Air Leveling

Reply #7 –
My preference is to park on a level as possible spot,level the coach then shut the system off,as light sleepers this will avoid the
air compressor from coming on all night,also will prevent moisture from getting in the system as the drier for the 12 volt air
compressor is not as good as the main drier,has been working for us.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.