Slides stopped working?? - Montana Owners Club

Gutz54 · 08-30-2020, 05:22 PM

We have had our 2018 3811 sitting on some property for about 6 months---3-4 weeks ago hooked her up and went and emptied the tanks after closing the sideouts with no problem--today tried to put them in again and neither the front or the back slideouts will move?? Fuses look OK,air is working?? We are stumped??We are also a very electrically challenged couple!!

**DQDick** · 08-30-2020, 05:31 PM

The first thing would be to check your battery or batteries. If the rig wasn't plugged in there are a number of things, like the propane detector, that will drain your battery and eventually kill it.

Gutz54 · 08-31-2020, 05:49 PM

WE have the RV plugged into a dedicated 50 amp service 24/7

Daryles · 08-30-2020, 05:55 PM

Check your battery voltage using the hydraulic control panel menu. It will tell you your battery voltage.
Plug your truck (running) into it and try again

**Rondo** · 08-30-2020, 09:12 PM

Like the other two previous posts on your problem, I would vote for bad or dead battery/batteries. Even with the battery cut-off switch turned to the off position and key removed there is still trickle drains taking power from your battery. Even is it has been plugged into shore power you can still drain and burn up a battery by causing it to go dry. First of all I'd check your battery or batteries and see if they have died. If good, then I would check the reset fuse on the wall behind the battery compartment and see if it is good. I'd also check to make sure your ground to the frame is also tight and making a good connection.

1retired06 · 08-31-2020, 08:23 AM

Agree with all, and I installed a blade disconnect directly on the negative battery post (we have just one) which provides for 100% shutdown.

Gutz54 · 08-31-2020, 05:53 PM

I thought the slides would be powered directly by being hooked up to the 50amp service?? Do the slides actually work off the charged batteries that are charged thru the inverter when you are hooked up to shore power?? The air and everything seems to be working--lights,AC fridge????

**Carl n Susan** · 08-31-2020, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gutz54

I thought the slides would be powered directly by being hooked up to the 50amp service?? Do the slides actually work off the charged batteries that are charged thru the inverter when you are hooked up to shore power?? The air and everything seems to be working--lights,AC fridge????

The hydraulic pump that drives the slides and jacks (if you have the 6 point Level Up) run off of 12V from the *BATTERIES*. The converter (not inverter) charges the batteries. It does not produce enough current to run the pump by itself.

Cheeck the batteries to ensure they are charged and voltage is flowing to the pump.

bcrvman · 09-06-2020, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gutz54

I thought the slides would be powered directly by being hooked up to the 50amp service?? Do the slides actually work off the charged batteries that are charged thru the inverter when you are hooked up to shore power?? The air and everything seems to be working--lights,AC fridge????

The hydraulics need a LOT of power/current/amps to work. That is only available from a well charged battery. There is a self resetting fuse that Keystone has recommended you upgrade to an 80Amp from the existing 50Amp.
If you have the factory converter (NOT an inverter, that converts DC to AC for your residential fridge) and the factory batteries OR ANY battery that has the initials CA or CCA you likely need a new battery and it is best if it is a Golf Cart battery. Trojan T105 is the usual, you need 2 6V batteries. You also need some way of knowing the SOC (State Of Charge) if it falls below 50% the batteries will not last long (a few months). For storage, remove the batteries and have them placed on a battery tender of good quality.

Daryles · 08-31-2020, 06:32 PM

If they are hydraulic slides, and your voltage is good it could be the 50A self resetting breaker went bad.
Do the jacks work?
I.E. does the hydraulic pump work.

Gutz54 · 08-31-2020, 07:32 PM

I'll need to check--haven't checked the jacks--where is the 50A resetting breaker located??

Daryles · 08-31-2020, 07:48 PM

Take a multimeter. On shore power, check each post of your 50A self resetting circuit breakers near your batteries. They should all read the same (about 12.4vdc).
Now remove shore power. Check them again.
Which ever one is NOT showing 12vdc on the post, it is bad. Replace it.

In fact if you have not already done so, put the hydraulic pump on its own 80A circuit breaker per Lippert bulletin. You can download a copy from the files section of this website

Tom N OH · 09-06-2020, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daryles

Take a multimeter. On shore power, check each post of your 50A self resetting circuit breakers near your batteries. They should all read the same (about 12.4vdc).
Now remove shore power. Check them again.
Which ever one is NOT showing 12vdc on the post, it is bad. Replace it.

In fact if you have not already done so, put the hydraulic pump on its own 80A circuit breaker per Lippert bulletin. You can download a copy from the files section of this website

FYI: you need to run a wire directly to the 80 amp breaker. The 50 in line before the 80 will still open first.

Gutz54 · 09-06-2020, 06:23 PM

I noticed today that the inverter has no power to it?? The little light is off and nothing happens when I push the reset button---does that indicate the batteries are no good??

DebNJim B · 09-23-2020, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gutz54

I noticed today that the inverter has no power to it?? The little light is off and nothing happens when I push the reset button---does that indicate the batteries are no good??

First, you need to hold that button for a few seconds before the inverter will respond. Second, the inverter will shut down if the battery drops below around 11.4 volts. But that's a separate issue. The inverter has nothing to do with the hydraulic pump although it may be an indicator as you stated of a battery issue.

You may want to remove the battery and take it to an auto store and have it load tested, that will tell you if it needs replacing.

I just ordered a new battery to replace the cheap hybrid one the dealer supplied and then let go dead a couple times while my unit was in for service. Along with the new battery is coming a new disconnect switch for the neg. terminal so that doesn't happen again.

Gutz54 · 09-23-2020, 08:12 AM

Yep--both my batteries were as dead as a door nail!! Thanks everyone for helping out!! Got another issue I'll post separably.

**Carl n Susan** · 08-31-2020, 07:52 PM

Here is a Thread with everything you need to know about those 50 amp self resetting circuit breakers.
https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...ad.php?t=78438

greenportbeach · 09-07-2020, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carl n Susan

Here is a Thread with everything you need to know about those 50 amp self resetting circuit breakers.
https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...ad.php?t=78438

I'm glad you guys posted this as we have also been sitting for 8 months without putting in the slides. Seeing all this, I think we will pull the slides in just to make sure they still work rather than not knowing in case we have to evacuate because of a hurricane.

Bob and Jeannette · 09-06-2020, 02:48 PM

Fuse upgrade or batteries most likely cause IMHO. Need a lot of amps to power the pump, more than the AC converter can supply so check the batteries and top off the water for sure. Upgrade the fuse on general principles.

Tom N OH · 09-06-2020, 07:33 PM

Batteries could be dead, but something else would have to cause the batteries to die. Have to fix that before you think about replacing the batteries, or else it will happen again. Get yourself a multimeter & then check back so we can help you diagnose. Even a cheap meter from Wally World will do for your purposes here.

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