no main slides control

[jcurtis934]

But they used to work... Hitting the slide retract switch for living rooms slides you hear the system trying to suck in the slides per normal, first kitchen side...then dining slide would be how they are supposed to work. The motor is running, but slide will not come in. Pushing on outside with two people no help either. We can feel and see the top of both of these slides move when we push from the outside. The fluid in the res is above the low/add fluid mark and where I remember it was when levelers were down and slides were out. SO outside in the front compartment I have two manifold blocks. Left most has orange hydraulic lines with top left going to pump assembly. Other three orange lines go into the depths of montyland. Orange line off right side of block as well. Off bottom of block are what appears to be a bleed fitting, then three solenoids. First has white and orange wires, second has white and purple wires, third has white and blue. THERE appears to be an allen key fitting on the bottom of each solenoid. The right most manifold has all black hydraulic lines with the one out of the left side going to the pump assembly. There is only one solenoid coming out of the top left most and it has black and yellow wires.

So I have never ever touched any of these and don't know what they control. Have yet to go to Lippert website to see what there is for troubleshooting guides and explanation of the above manifolds.

Any wild guesses as to what the issue is? My assumption is that one of the solenoids is stuck and not allowing hydraulic fluid to do its thing. I HAVE dropped the bottom and see no evidence of any leaks what so ever. Help me O BE WAN.... John

[K0LCB]

I had the timbran relay fail on mine

[8.1al]

quote:Originally posted by K0LCB

I had the timbran relay fail on mine

What is the timbran and where might it be found?

[Irlpguy]

The Timbran relay is a dual relay, the main power from the batteries/circuit breaker goes to the center of it, the extend/retract button controls which relay is activated, it is easily identified and will be near the pump motor.

If this relay failed on one side (the retract side for instance) and the retract button was pushed then the motor would not turn since there would be no power going to the motor, if the motor is turning then I would say the relay is fine.

[mhs4771]

I think the proper term is Trombetta solenoid actuator.

[BB_TX]

quote:Originally posted by 8.1al

What is the timbran and where might it be found?

Also often called a Trombetta (brand name) it is a reversing contractor solenoid for reversing the hydraulic fluid flow. Sits on top of the hydraulic pump.

[jcurtis934]

I did a test using the rear jacks to make sure that the hydraulic unit/trombetta was working by going into manual mode and raising then lowering the jacks...and they did just fine...so I know the pump is working fine. But somewhere there is something that is keeping the slide-outs from starting their retract sequence. I can't believe that both rams have seized up/froze in place. The only way I can think of this system working is that one solenoid controls both front landing gear rams, the second one controls the back four leveling jacks, and the other controls extending of the two living room slides and then the retract manifold somehow knows that you want the slides to retract...but not any of the jacks. BUT then, I could have this totally wrong. John

[BB_TX]

I don't have hydraulic jacks so I have no idea how they work in conjuction with the hydraulic slides.

[CORattler]

Each slide has a isolation valve that corresponds to it. If a isolation valve is closed, that slide will not function. The valves are often located behind the same panel as the electric front landing leg switch and the electric rear stabilizing jacks switch (at least on mine).

[twindman]

You don't suppose there were any naughty neighborhood gremlins that closed all the valve switches mentioned above, do you? You didn't leave the control box open perhaps?? Just thinking out loud.

[jcurtis934]

I have had that same thought as the lock is the same on most rvs...key code 751. I looked at the two control valves there and they point upwards to the on marking. These valves called ICL by lippert, individual control lines, are fed by the very first solenoid on the left manifild on my unit...so if this control valve isn't getting 12vdc or is stuck shut...then the hydraulic lines to the slides can't have an open path back to the fluid tank when the motor goes into a reverse direction to pressurize the retract line for the slides. We are having major rain and lightening so I can't go out to measure to see if I am getting 12vdc there...or to use an allen key to open the 5/32 set screw on the bottom of this solenoid so that I can turn the black knob one way and back to see what happens. Thanks for being on the forum as a soundind board/advice panel. John

[jcurtis934]

Okay, we be cooking! The first solenoid on the extend manifold is connected to the individual control lines for the slides and after taking off the connector on the solenoid valve and putting it back on with my meter also attached...lo and behold I saw power there and slides came in!!!! Ran them in and out several times...motor didn't get warm and things appear normal. Wife is not so trusting...once bitten, twice shy as they say. Something tells me that I would probably be wise to replace the group 27 12vdc battery that is three years old now. John

[BB_TX]

May well have been just a bad connection since it worked after you unplugged and plugged it back in.

[dieselguy]

I could be wrong, but I think replacing your battery at 3 years is throwing away good money unless you know something you've not told. If plugged in to shore power, the converter will easily supply enough power to make the solenoid work even if your battery is flatter than a pancake. I even know some "hard headed" owners that occasionally deploy the slides using power solely from the converter as well. I won't ....

[CORattler]

quote:Originally posted by BB_TX

May well have been just a bad connection since it worked after you unplugged and plugged it back in.

Agreed. I believe the connection bears closer inspection.

[mhs4771]

You may have a bad crimp at that Faston connector. As mentioned I would look closely at the connector and it's attachment to the solenoid. I just had an awning that would deploy, but had been working, pulled the switch from the wall and a lead was no longer attached and we weren't moving, so it must have been just hanging on and finally fell off.

[Lenny K]

quote:Originally posted by dieselguy

I even know some "hard headed" owners that occasionally deploy the slides using power solely from the converter as well. I won't ....

I might be confused, but are you saying that you shouldn't open your slides using the batteries?

[dieselguy]

Lenny ... the OP was saying he was going to replace the battery. I was pointing out that even if the battery was dead, the converter will supply enough power to easily fire a solenoid ... meaning I figured he had connection issues instead of battery issues.

I do not endorse opening or closing slides with no battery as eventually it will toast your converter. I was just pointing out a converter will supply some 12VDC power on its own.

[jcurtis934]

I have no reason to believe that the battery won't make it another year or two...but I am having battery lust. Now sitting in Cecil, Georgia and all continues to work normally. John

[CORattler]

quote:Originally posted by jcurtis934

but I am having battery lust.

Thanks for the chuckle this A.M.!
I suspect this condition is curable with the purchase of new batteries.