2009 Montana 2955RL Power Switch for Slides and Landing Gear

[KRS54]

Last week trip 6/9-6/15/26 the on-off power switch inside the driver side panel for slides, electric LG, stabilizers would not turn red light on meaning I have no power to use the above stated items. I used canned air to blow the terminals on the backside and front of the switch. Not sure if that did it or my SO touching the small red light, but the lit up? Every thing working as it should and was able to get to next camping spot pull truck off the pin then level.
5 days later time to hook up turn on switch to raise LG, gear goes up, slides come in, rear stabilizers go up. Back truck on to pin ( note this switch times out after 8-10 min.) the light is off due to timing out. I press the switch to turn on power once again no light comes on meaning no power. Both camp sites have No SWP so I know this is an internal problem.
I'm thinking this switch has gone bad. I have been looking on line with minimal success. I know replacement parts for 18 year Montana are rare at best. I'm thinking this type of switch has been used from 2000-maybe to 2012.
Any one who may have or still have one of these earlier models with the same problem I am having I would really like to get some help with this.

THANK YOU TO ANYONE WHO MAY REPLY, Keith

 

[Carl n Susan]

Do you have a picture? I know my 2005 2955RL had no such switch.

 

[Mikendebbie]

This is a screen shot from a 2009 sales video…do your controls look like this?

 

[KRS54]

Yes the pic that Mike has posted. Upper right corner below the red light that comes on when that switch is pushed. Maybe I gave it the wrong name. On-off power switch with a rubber weather proof cover over it.

 

[Carl n Susan]

If it is just a switch, perhaps it is fixable? I would start by removing the panel, and using a VOM to check for 12V power into and out of the switch. Then check the LED to ensure it is good. I doubt you will find an exact replacement for the switch, but if you can remove it and to see what markings exist - it may help. Plus a picture here may trigger someone's memory.

I think you can McGiver a new, different switch, in place of the old one if that is the problem.

 

[KRS54]

Carl and Mike
Thank you for helping me get this figured out. I will grab my volt meter to check that out. The only numbers I can see at this point 0208. So this is just an on-off switch that is possibly controlled by a timer somewhere that turns the power off after several minutes. The LED is is good as far as I can tell. If that light is not on there is no power to any of the items in that control panel. I hope to back to the trailer in a few days to pull that switch and check it out.
Thank You Carl and Mike
You two guys have helped me out a few times in the past. I really appreciate your knowledge on these trailers.

 

[Mikendebbie]

I don’t think there is a “timer” causing the power outage. It is likely a 50 amp self- resetting breaker.
It is likely mounted to the back wall of your front storage compartment near the batteries. Keystone “up-sized” these breakers to 80 amp in ~2020 or so. I had the same problem with my unit during year 1 of ownership in 2018. I replaced my 50 amp with an 80 amp breaker and the problem disappeared. I operate my slides on my InCommand screen, not a rocker switch or button. This breaker could be part of your problem.

Try searching the forum for “80 amp breaker” for hours of reading on the topic. Many threads will have photos of the resetting breakers in question.

 

[Carl n Susan]

I don’t think there is a “timer” causing the power outage. It is likely a 50 amp self- resetting breaker.....

I have to disagree Mike. While the 50 amp (maybe still 30 amp in this year) tends to cause problems. it shows up as stopping the slide when moving them. The OP said that the system is OFF when he first tries to do anything. I know the my 2012 system will "timeout" after some, relatively short, period of time and turn itself OFF. I suspect there is an early version of the Level Up brain lurking in the front compartment that has some interaction with the switch.

 

[KRS54]

That's sort of funny about the 50 amp breaker. I have changed the one breaker for the slides to 80 amp to resolve that issue with the slides. I never did the other as I did not connect the dots with the landing gear. From the day I took delivery on the trailer this issue I never thought it was an issue with the other breaker. I will be ordering another today to see if this solves this issue. I will post an update once I get the 80amp breaker installed.
Thank you both for taking the time to solve this issue.

 

[KRS54]

Up date
I replaced the existing breaker with a new 80 amp breaker. I ran the front landing gear up and down with no issues.
I did time how long the red light would stay on for which was 5 minutes. I did this several times to confirm. I did notice that inside the front storage there is a “panel where all the wires for the slide outs, landing gear, etc are located. I noticed that there is another red light that stays on for the same 5 minutes. I never noticed that light before as I never had that door open when raising or lowering the gear or slide outs. I will put this to a good test in a few weeks when we have a trip to a cg in a few weeks.
Thank You to all that replied with positive comments to get this resolved.