12 volt compressor constantly running and slide won't activate

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12 volt compressor constantly running and slide won't activate

April 28, 2024, 09:55:28 am

Started to hear compressor running more and now it runs all the time. I checked for leaks and there appear to be non. After leveling coach it stays level for hours if not days. No air sounds and bladders appear fully expanded on slides. Unplugged 5 amp fuse to get pump to stop. Is this the best way to turn it off?
Tried to open slide and bladders won't deflate all the way unless I plug compressor back in, however it will not allow me to open the slides. (continues yellow light). If I turn the key off on room extension the bladder only partially inflates. If I turn the engine on and press auto level then bladders totally inflate. Happy that slides are in so if I need to take it somewhere I can.

Re: 12 volt compressor constantly running and slide won't activate

Reply #1 – April 28, 2024, 12:56:31 pm

2013 Nimbus. I would reccomend shutting off your air to your slides then see which one leaks down. I installed new ball valves and pressure gauges to my slide to help troubleshoot it. Hard to see what the pressure is without them. I think yours may have isolation valves at the control solenoid block. I also installed a switch next to compressor in the control circuit to power down the compressor. I generally just leave it off for my use.

Re: 12 volt compressor constantly running and slide won't activate

Reply #2 – April 28, 2024, 07:46:55 pm

Just went out to coach and saw front bladder was deflated after 24 hrs. (didn't look at back one)
Started engine, reset and then auto level. Inflated, so good for know.
Thanks for your response but that is way above my paygrade.
Will try to locate some of the items suggested. Thank you

Re: 12 volt compressor constantly running and slide won't activate

Reply #3 – April 28, 2024, 08:14:36 pm

There is a valve at the bottom of a plastic cup affair that when the compressor is running has 12 volts to it which closes it. When the compressor turns off it opens the valve so that it can spit out any moisture in that plastic cup. Check that the valve is closed when the compressor is running by holding a finger over the outlet. With the compressor running nearly impossible to hear an air leak.

Re: 12 volt compressor constantly running and slide won't activate

Reply #4 – April 28, 2024, 08:58:03 pm

Quote from: red tractor – April 28, 2024, 08:14:36 pm

There is a valve at the bottom of a plastic cup affair that when the compressor is running has 12 volts to it which closes it. When the compressor turns off it opens the valve so that it can spit out any moisture in that plastic cup. Check that the valve is closed when the compressor is running by holding a finger over the outlet. With the compressor running nearly impossible to hear an air leak.

Also make sure the bowl itself isn't leaking - we've seen one on a 2008 with major cracks in it that was leaking like a sieve.

See photos of bowls here (assuming your coach has the same as a 2003) HWH Filters and Bowls

Re: 12 volt compressor constantly running and slide won't activate

Reply #5 – April 28, 2024, 11:57:11 pm

Thank you
I will look in the morning

Re: 12 volt compressor constantly running and slide won't activate

Reply #6 – April 29, 2024, 11:04:15 am

My system is different. There is a bowl on the pump but otherwise I don't see any other filters.
Went into coach this morning and front air bladder was partially deflated, rear one seemed fine. As I walked back up front the coach dropped, seemed to relevel and it inflated the front bladder.
Still inflated after a couple of hours so I don't think it has a leak

Re: 12 volt compressor constantly running and slide won't activate

Reply #7 – April 30, 2024, 09:50:44 am

It gets more interesting. Talked with Foretravel yesterday. They had me turn off air going to slide outs. Compressor still just ran.
Front air bag leaked out in short while (didn't look at time). Opened valves, turned off 12 volt compressor, started engine, did reset, and auto air. We then tried to get slides to work and yellow light just blinked. Air bladder filled but we could not find what was wrong.
The bladder was still inflated just before dark (7hrs). This morning bladder was deflated. I started 12volt compressor and filled bladder in order to see if it will stay inflated for at least 7 hrs using it instead of engine air. Will post results. Will need to take to Olstrom in Tucson as that is the closet recommended service from Foretravel to me in Southern Utah about 450 miles one way.

Re: 12 volt compressor constantly running and slide won't activate

Reply #8 – May 10, 2024, 10:27:26 am

I thought I would update what we have done and what I have learned. I put new valves on air going to silver control boxes and added a pressure gauge.
Air going into them never exceeds 60lbs. Added a gauge to pump and then plugged the lines leaving pump. Compressor cycled fine. There was a small leak on pump head, water cup o ring was leaking as well as the valve on the bottom of cup. Capped that for know.
Reconnected line to bladders. Found leak at drain valve in wheel well. All the valves were leaking a little, had them replaced.
Line going to coach air was leaking on both ends, had new line put on.
I learned that if you are working in those small areas and lean on the hydraulic valves you may make the slide move.
I also learned that the valves under the silver controls need to be open in order for bladders to deflate all the way enabling to run slides in and out.
Compressor will also come on even after you take out 5amp plug. Not sure how or why but it always seemed for a short time.
When I called HWH for help with slide being partially out I was told that I would be put on the waiting list. Expect 2 weeks for response
Thanks for the help and hoe that lI found all the leaks. (Glad it wasn't a bladder)

Re: 12 volt compressor constantly running and slide won't activate

Reply #9 – May 10, 2024, 10:46:40 am

Quote from: Victor and Pat – May 10, 2024, 10:27:26 am

water cup o ring was leaking as well as the valve on the bottom of cup. Capped that for know.

Just as long as you realize that valve is NO (normally open). It's the unloader for the compressor - closes when the compressor is running to build pressure, opens to relieve pressure after the compressor shuts off.

Quote

I also learned that the valves under the silver controls need to be open in order for bladders to deflate all the way enabling to run slides in and out.

Yes - that's needed for the venturis pull vacuum on the slide bladders.

Quote

Compressor will also come on even after you take out 5amp plug. Not sure how or why but it always seemed for a short time.

There are 2 power sources for the compressor - the inline fuse is for when the slide bladder system calls for air. The main power for the leveling system use of the compressor is a resettable breaker. The compressor will still come on as needed for leveling if you pull the inline fuse for the bladder air circuit.

Re: 12 volt compressor constantly running and slide won't activate

Reply #10 – May 10, 2024, 12:16:15 pm

Sounds like The little check valve that is just outside the compressor.

Hopefully Michelle will be able to find drawing to show you where it is.

I never knew about it until Michelle told us about it

Re: 12 volt compressor constantly running and slide won't activate

Reply #11 – May 10, 2024, 02:11:22 pm

Is this the one you are talking about?

Re: 12 volt compressor constantly running and slide won't activate

Reply #12 – May 27, 2024, 09:33:40 pm

For the life of me I can not locate the fuse for the compressor. Am I missing something or is there a possibility it was never fused?
Any hints to locating the fuse?

Ah ....read a little further and I have a breaker located in the white panel on the drivers side!

Re: 12 volt compressor constantly running and slide won't activate

Reply #13 – May 27, 2024, 11:11:32 pm

For moving the slides, it is not sufficient to just bleed the air out of the seal bladders, they actually have a vacuum pulled on them an there is a vacuum switch that needs to be satisfied to get the solid yellow light. To create this vacuum, each of the manifold blocks have a solenoid valve that supplies air to a vacuum venturi. Yes, compress air is used to create the vacuum. That air compressor should be able to make close t 90 psi. It supports the slide rooms and maintains the auto level. The house batteries and charger combination need to be up to the task. For my 2008 Nimbus I just installed combination vacuum/pressure gauges between each manifold and bladder. Was simple install. See picture.

Dennis

Re: 12 volt compressor constantly running and slide won't activate

Reply #14 – June 19, 2024, 04:12:47 pm

IS IT BPOSSIBLE for Slide Seal to go bad overnight?
Everything has been fine for over a couple of months after replacing many fittings and valves. Got everything ready to go on extended trip tomorrow and heard compressor running. Went into bedroom and heard air from ac flowing out of seal . Inflated seal and then shut valve off to bedroom slide. Compressor is holding steady but seal is soft.
Any ideas? Does anyone know the shop in Tucson that Foretravel suggests for repairs?

Re: 12 volt compressor constantly running and slide won't activate

Reply #15 – June 19, 2024, 04:26:38 pm

Yes, the bladder is like a bicycle tire inner tube. It could pop at any time. With the slide in, can you find the spot where it's leaking or could it be coming from the line going to the bladder?

Re: 12 volt compressor constantly running and slide won't activate

Reply #16 – June 19, 2024, 04:44:04 pm

Not to be a smart A$$ but, in any coach ANYTHING can go bad overnight.

A good friend that has gone to Foretravel Heaven once told me that his coach stays up at night trying to figure out what to break, Said he goes to bed at night with everything working and in the morning he try's to figure out what broke.

Please add to your signature line the year and model of your coach. Makes it way easer to figure out the answer to your questions.

Re: 12 volt compressor constantly running and slide won't activate

Reply #17 – June 19, 2024, 04:46:21 pm

See my post link below. Patch is still holding.

Just Joined Need to replace Bladder Club

Re: 12 volt compressor constantly running and slide won't activate

Reply #18 – June 19, 2024, 08:00:00 pm

I do not now why my year and model of coach does not show in my posts, I checked my profile and I have it in there. It is 2014 Nimbus 4020.
Talked with factory tech today and he said to continue our trip, we may get a little water on the floor if it rains hard but relax and when we get a chance get it fixed. I suggested that in between reservations already made I could come to the factory and get it replaced. He said we they would work us in. It amazes me how anyone could even see a small part of the bladder but to make a patch, WOW. I tip my hat to you!

Re: 12 volt compressor constantly running and slide won't activate

Reply #19 – June 19, 2024, 08:58:18 pm

Quote from: Victor and Pat – June 19, 2024, 08:00:00 pm

I do not know why my year and model of coach does not show in my posts, I checked my profile and I have it in there.

It needs to be in your signature - right now your profile doesn't show anything in the signature block.

Modify Profile -> Forum Profile -> add info in your signature. Preview to see what it looks like - make changes as necessary, then scroll down and click "change profile"

Re: 12 volt compressor constantly running and slide won't activate

Reply #20 – June 19, 2024, 09:03:05 pm

Quote from: Victor and Pat – June 19, 2024, 08:00:00 pm

Talked with factory tech today and he said to continue our trip, we may get a little water on the floor if it rains hard but relax and when we get a chance get it fixed.

Get some closed cell backer rod (weather stripping area of Lowes or Home Depot) and some low-tack duct tape. Double check, but I think we used either 3/8" or 1/2" backer rod. Stuff it in the gap from the outside and then tape over it to keep rain out while driving.

Obviously you can't deploy the slide if you do this, but it will definitely keep the weather (and bugs) out.

Re: 12 volt compressor constantly running and slide won't activate

Reply #21 – June 19, 2024, 10:38:16 pm

Thanks Michelle, I hope my rig shows now
Will stop on the road tomorrow and pick up supplies

Re: 12 volt compressor constantly running and slide won't activate

Reply #22 – June 19, 2024, 10:51:28 pm

Quote from: Victor and Pat – June 19, 2024, 10:38:16 pm

Thanks Michelle, I hope my rig shows now
Will stop on the road tomorrow and pick up supplies

on both counts.

BTW, if you plan to apply and remove multiple times, you can use painter's tape instead of the duct tape. It won't last as well, but it won't leave as much residue to clean up, especially if you're repeating the taping several times before repair in order to use the slide.

Re: 12 volt compressor constantly running and slide won't activate

Reply #23 – June 19, 2024, 11:03:38 pm

Since you also have a 2014 coach, the bladders that are used on our coaches do a pretty good job of sealing even without havng air pressure in them. Last October I had an air fitting leaking that no one had so I just turned the air compressor off since I did not want to be awaken with the compressor kicking in every few hours. Was in a few rain storms and didn't have any water leak in.

Re: 12 volt compressor constantly running and slide won't activate

Reply #24 – June 20, 2024, 12:28:27 am

To add to what has been said, I too had slide seals with leaks. My bedroom slide would no longer create a seal, so I tried the backer rod and tape. No residue duct tape works the best. Sticks the best with no residue if removed within a short-ish amount of time (a month or less has been my target).

Here's what the slide seal looks like, installed in it's track. They push the slide in (in my year coach) to gain access.

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