Slide closing issues, 80amp breaker

[DQDick]

Feel completely stupid because I discovered that the fix on my slide problems didn't really come from the battery cut off switch like I thought but rather because when I tried to retract the slide it was 15 degrees and when I flipped the switch and everything worked fine it was 49 degrees. The warm weather in Kansas this winter is throwing everyone off. Anyway I called Keystone, since it's still under warranty and explained the problem to the customer service guy. I suggested it needed the two 50amp breakers mentioned on this forum. His comment was "that's so old school". He had me take the rig to Camping World. They determined that all the slides were in alignment and then Keystone authorized the installation of an 80amp breaker in place of the 50amp factory model. Keystone said the wiring is made to handle it and that's the new fix.

[scductman]

Thanks Dick mine has been getting worse this pass summer. I never had any problems untill then. I went to napa today and they have a 40amp but thats as big as they have. I am looking at how to install 2 but can't remember so have been looking on here. The 1 80amp would be easyer I will see if I can get one.
Bobby

[DQDick]

Had it done at Camping World in Albuquerque and I know it took them most of the day to get it, but I didn't ask where they found it.

[HOOK]

Bobby< all you have to do is to put another 40a in. Just put it beside the present one and connect it to the connectors of the existing breaker. Works like a champ. Took about 30 mins. Larry

[awaywego]

Bobby,

This is one place to get one.

http://www.pcsconnectors.com/181080p.aspx

[Art-n-Marge]

Make sure the dual 40 amp (or 50 amp) breakers are installed in parallel not series.

Here is a picture....



The CBs in question are the two in the leftmost part of the picture. The rightmost one is for the landing gear and you don't need to touch that one.

[Desert RVer]

Two 40 amp breakers in parallel are similar to one 80 amp breaker. Notice I stated similar ..... not exactly the same. If a total surge of over 80 amps occurs it is highly probable that the 80 amp breaker will pop. However, with two 40 amp breakers in parallel both should exceed their 40 amp rating at the same time but in reality one will pop before the other. By that time the load surge may have dissipated and not pop the second breaker and the slides will continue to work as long a sudden surge doesn't occur over 40 AMP. Remember, that previously, most of the time, a 40 Amp breaker was sufficient. My concern about adding an 80 amp breaker or two 40's in parallel is related to the gauge of the wiring. I don't know what size wire has been used.

[DQDick]

According to Keystone, at least on my age rig and newer the wire is capable of handling 80amps.

[Art-n-Marge]

Desert RVer... Thanks for the explanation on the differences between the single and dual breakers. It sure makes sense.

This issue was addressed by Lippert and the fixes came from them to either get a bigger fuse or use two fuses in parallel. They admitted the fuses in many rigs especially with multiple slideouts had undersized autoresetting breakers.

Since doing this to my rig, they have been working GREAT! I still check the fluids, the battery and check alignment. No more stop/starting.

[Tom S.]

Here's ours with twin 40's:

[BB_TX]

Might as well show my twin 40's again also. Instead of wire, I used short buss bars from home depot and covered them with shrink tubing.

[oldelmer1]

Here is how I did it with my old SOB.

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I went to a battery store and they gave me the bars to connect the 2 breakers together.

The bottom 3 are the original ones, the top is the added 40AMP.

[seahunter]

quote:Originally posted by DQDick

Feel completely stupid because I discovered that the fix on my slide problems didn't really come from the battery cut off switch like I thought but rather because when I tried to retract the slide it was 15 degrees and when I flipped the switch and everything worked fine it was 49 degrees. The warm weather in Kansas this winter is throwing everyone off. Anyway I called Keystone, since it's still under warranty and explained the problem to the customer service guy. I suggested it needed the two 50amp breakers mentioned on this forum. His comment was "that's so old school". He had me take the rig to Camping World. They determined that all the slides were in alignment and then Keystone authorized the installation of an 80amp breaker in place of the 50amp factory model. Keystone said the wiring is made to handle it and that's the new fix.

I'm not quite sure what this fix does as I am electronically challenged, but am I to understand this is taken care of by 2012 models and not something I need to worry about? I have five slides so I just wanted to make sure.

Thanks.

[DQDick]

quote:Originally posted by seahunter

I'm not quite sure what this fix does as I am electronically challenged, but am I to understand this is taken care of by 2012 models and not something I need to worry about? I have five slides so I just wanted to make sure.

Thanks.

I'm really not sure. I was kind of put off by the "that's so old school remark" and wanted to get mine fixed right so I didn't ask. Be sure and ask the dealer when it is delivered.

[scductman]

Thanks guys I know now how to fix it could not remember how the hookup went but pics are always great!!!
Bobby

[Desert RVer]

quote:Originally posted by Art-n-Marge

Desert RVer... Thanks for the explanation on the differences between the single and dual breakers. It sure makes sense.

This issue was addressed by Lippert and the fixes came from them to either get a bigger fuse or use two fuses in parallel. They admitted the fuses in many rigs especially with multiple slideouts had undersized autoresetting breakers.

Since doing this to my rig, they have been working GREAT! I still check the fluids, the battery and check alignment. No more stop/starting.

That may be 100% true but ...... I am not convinced. If the fuse is designed for 40 Amps why in the world would they design in 80 Amp wiring? Wiring should be designed to handle slightly more than the fuse but typically not twice as much. Until I find out the gauge of the wiring used, I suspect and predict that the wiring used with the 40 Amp fuse is not rated for 79 AMP plus continuous. That would be the requirement if it was designed for an 80 amp fuse. My guess is they are relying on the fact that the 80 amp current is a surge or momentary not continuous. And if some strange failure occurred where 79 Amps was drawn continuously w/o blowing the 80 Amp fuse that the wiring and asociated connections would become dangerously over heated. I do expect that the untis being designed with the 80 amp fuse will have the appropriate size wire. I sincerely doubt those that are being retrofitted with the 80 amp fuse have adequate (safe design practices) wiring. Knowing the actual wire size on all those units with 40 Amp fuses being converted to 80 AMP would answer this question. I just haven't seen the design discipline in the RV industry to properly handle this.

[sfish]

I did the twin 40s and it worked and has been working with no problems.

[indy roadrunner]

I put twin 40's on mine per Lipperts fix back in 06 and haven't had a failure since even in the freezing temps of Indiana.

[Phil P]

Hi

Just looked at the wiring for the hydraulic pump that operates the slides in our Montana. It is a #4 wire. The wire charts call out a 70amp capacity.

Phil P

[seahunter]

I'm not familiar with these type of breakers. How do you tell a 40 amp from an 80 amp - is it just printed on them? Are they different in size?