Power Gear Jacks

[BDStinson]

Hello all,

We stopped while traveling home last week and the hydraulic unit on our Power Gear leveling units was running and dripping fluid. Control panel switch was off and jacks were all up (thankfully). Any clue what would cause this unit to randomly power up like that?

Appreciate any ideas. '03 Fleetwood Excursion

[loulong]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDStinson Hello all, We stopped while traveling home last week and the hydraulic unit on our Power Gear leveling units was running and dripping fluid. Control panel switch was off and jacks were all up (thankfully). Any clue what would cause this unit to randomly power up like that? Appreciate any ideas. '03 Fleetwood Excursion

Mine did that last year while on a trip. In my case it turned out to be a ground wire (from the leveler control panel to the negative side of the house batteries) had come loose. I never did any real analysis of why this caused the motor to continuously run, anytime the ignition was on, even thought the leveling panel was off. Still a mystery.

Service manuals are available from the Power Gear web site. Mine is on-line, but considerably older than yours, so won't be of any use to you.

[BDStinson]

Thanks Loulong. When it happened to me, I lowered them just a little and the motor quit. They retracted fine and it hasn't happened again. Think I'll trace that ground wire you mention just to be safe.

Some hydraulic fluid was leaking out while the motor was unexpectedly running, so I thought it would need to have fluid added back. When I removed the fill plug, about a pint ran out. The PO must have added fluid with the jacks down/partially down last time.

All seems well for now, but it is a little concerning that the jacks would just randomly turn on while we were traveling.

I appreciate your input.

[wa8yxm]

I have a slightly different issue with my power gear jacks.

Two actually

I always thought liquid does not compres, and if you have air in the lines (Which will compress) the pump should compress it so your jacks will work normally.

The site I'm on is "low in the rear" so I used my back up jack (12 ton air/hydraulic) to lift the rear a bit, and then further extended the power gear jacks

When new they would lift the wheels off the ground,, Today they don't even level it (Same load on the motor home, if anything I'm a few pounds lighter)

(I might add *I* am actually a few pounds lighter too,, but that's another issue )

But the two issues are this

1: Jacks seem to have lost power (See above)

And when I bled off the bottle jack, the rear jacks, compressed a good 2 inches.

[loulong]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm I have a slightly different issue with my power gear jacks. Two actually I always thought liquid does not compres, and if you have air in the lines (Which will compress) the pump should compress it so your jacks will work normally. The site I'm on is "low in the rear" so I used my back up jack (12 ton air/hydraulic) to lift the rear a bit, and then further extended the power gear jacks When new they would lift the wheels off the ground,, Today they don't even level it (Same load on the motor home, if anything I'm a few pounds lighter) (I might add *I* am actually a few pounds lighter too,, but that's another issue ) But the two issues are this 1: Jacks seem to have lost power (See above) And when I bled off the bottle jack, the rear jacks, compressed a good 2 inches.

John, I'm betting that either your dump solenoid is leaking off pressure or the pump is allowing the same thing.

Try swapping the dump solenoid with one of the jack solenoids (they are identical) and see what happens.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/15918372/Jac...ice_manual.pdf Here is the manual you need

[wa8yxm]

Well, first: the problem with loss of power is on all jacks, Front and both right and left rear. Second there is no evidence to suggest the "Dump Solenoid" either is leaking or that it exists.. Once the jacks stablize, they will remain at that same extnsion till I hit the switch.

Finally.

I have only 3 solenoids, One for the right rear, One for the left rear one for the front.

To "Dump" you open a solenoid without the pump running and let it flow backwards through the pump.

Take a look at the diagram for 3 or 4 leg assembly 1999 to present. That is as close as it gets to what I have.

[loulong]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm Well, first: the problem with loss of power is on all jacks, Front and both right and left rear. Second there is no evidence to suggest the "Dump Solenoid" either is leaking or that it exists.. Once the jacks stablize, they will remain at that same extnsion till I hit the switch. Finally. I have only 3 solenoids, One for the right rear, One for the left rear one for the front. To "Dump" you open a solenoid without the pump running and let it flow backwards through the pump. Take a look at the diagram for 3 or 4 leg assembly 1999 to present. That is as close as it gets to what I have.

John, I know exactly how your jacks are made and I know exactly how they operate. I could draw the electrical and mechanical diagrams from memory.

The dump "solenoid" valve is identical to any one of the leg solenoid valves and it is a common trouble shooting technique to swap them for diagnostic purposes. They are easily removed and installed.

As you are so fond of saying, RTFM.

The ONLY possible cause of your problem is that the pump cannot generate the required pressure to raise the coach weight -OR- the pressure is being bled off through a leaking pump check valve or the "dump" solenoid.

It's NOT unusual for the dump solenoid valve (which is spring loaded against the solenoid armature) to stop leaking back at some pressure level, much like the air pressure adjustment on an air compressor output.

I'm sorry if you don't think the procedure is worth a try.

Happy leveling...

[Clifftall]

Wa8yxm

Loulong certainly sounds like he knows what he's doing. However if you want another opinion, Power gear is very responsive to email inquiries. info@powergearus.com . As Lou said " happy leveling"

[wa8yxm]

Ok, well I do admit that would answer the symptoms if in fact I have a dump soleonid.

But I'm nto sure there is one.. Will do some checking and see what I can see... Will likely grab the camera and take photo of the pump/valve/tank assembly for you to look at too.

What the heck, it next comes off the jacks on Wed, and I'll have at least an hour or two "Down time" when I've nothing to do but sit and read a book. or Use wrenches.

[loulong]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm Ok, well I do admit that would answer the symptoms if in fact I have a dump soleonid. But I'm nto sure there is one.. Will do some checking and see what I can see... Will likely grab the camera and take photo of the pump/valve/tank assembly for you to look at too. What the heck, it next comes off the jacks on Wed, and I'll have at least an hour or two "Down time" when I've nothing to do but sit and read a book. or Use wrenches.

On your unit the DUMP solenoid is not mounted on the the little manifold block witht he other three solenoids. It is down behind it. Look at the diagram in the manual. I believe the dump solenoid is bullet #11. The others are #15.

[wa8yxm]

I found it, Also found the part number for the unit (it's not one of the ones covered by the manual you linked me to but now that I have the number I'll find it.. Thanks)

The Dump valve is DIFFERENT from the other valves (Shorter) however it seems to fit in the same size hole,, Swapped it with the front jacks valve and sure enough, had a serious problem with them (They went down even if I only pushed the REAR jacks button) so I'm guessin that is, indeed, the issue.

Now that I have it IDed, fixing it is a matter of replaching the valve.

So,, Thanks.. I should know the cost of a new valve tomorrow.

[loulong]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm Thanks.. I should know the cost of a new valve tomorrow.

I'll bet it's much cheaper than a new pump. I'm glad you chased the problem down.

[wa8yxm]

I suspect it will be too.. Now if only they would call with the price (Expected them to call today they did not)

If you know where I can find a service manual for the part number I have (Which I don't have handy just now) I visited the Power Gear web site, No joy, it was not listed.

Sent them a feedback form though (Requiest for assistance) who knows.

[wa8yxm]

Someone suggested replacing the seals at the bottom of the valve... I did, no joy.. Still does not hold...

I could still use the part number for that valve and/or a link to a new one..

Thanks