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Old 04-29-2018, 04:31 PM   #1
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Do you think we need new coach batteries?

Ok here's the problem. We've had a ton of problems with the steps on our 2013 Sunstar, but the mobile rv tech finally got it straightened out ... or so we thought. We haven't used the rv since December but we go out and start it every other week and run it etc. Today the steps came out like they are supposed to but then the wind blew the door shut and the steps "shuddered" to a crawl when they came in. When we opened the door again, they didn't budge, although we could hear the motor running. When we left and I tried to turn off the coach batteries, the light stayed on like they wouldn't shut off. Since I'm pretty sure they are probably the original batteries, I was wondering if that could be the problem? If so, we can just buy new ones and install them. We had to replace the chassis battery a few months ago ... that's why I suspect the coach batteries.
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Old 04-29-2018, 04:36 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Starfire5 View Post
Ok here's the problem. We've had a ton of problems with the steps on our 2013 Sunstar, but the mobile rv tech finally got it straightened out ... or so we thought. We haven't used the rv since December but we go out and start it every other week and run it etc. Today the steps came out like they are supposed to but then the wind blew the door shut and the steps "shuddered" to a crawl when they came in. When we opened the door again, they didn't budge, although we could hear the motor running. When we left and I tried to turn off the coach batteries, the light stayed on like they wouldn't shut off. Since I'm pretty sure they are probably the original batteries, I was wondering if that could be the problem? If so, we can just buy new ones and install them. We had to replace the chassis battery a few months ago ... that's why I suspect the coach batteries.
Your best bet is an amp test on the batteries. From the door slamming it could be the magnet sensor out of alignment. If the batteries and magnet sensor is good, detach the cotter pin holding the steps to the motor and do a test by closing and opening the door. Sometimes depending on the motor model the gears are plastic and you can be grinding them dull. It's an easy fix by just moving the plastic gear to the back and let the motor run on fresh teeth.
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Old 04-29-2018, 04:37 PM   #3
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Your best bet is an amp test on the batteries. From the door slamming it could be the magnet sensor out of alignment. If the batteries and magnet sensor is good, detach the cotter pin holding the steps to the motor and do a test by closing and opening the door. Sometimes depending on the motor model the gears are plastic and you can be grinding them dull. It's an easy fix by just moving the plastic gear to the back and let the motor run on fresh teeth.
One more thing.. Make sure the batteries are fully charged prior to the app test.
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Old 04-29-2018, 04:43 PM   #4
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Ok here's the problem. We've had a ton of problems with the steps on our 2013 Sunstar, but the mobile rv tech finally got it straightened out ... or so we thought. We haven't used the rv since December but we go out and start it every other week and run it etc. Today the steps came out like they are supposed to but then the wind blew the door shut and the steps "shuddered" to a crawl when they came in. When we opened the door again, they didn't budge, although we could hear the motor running. When we left and I tried to turn off the coach batteries, the light stayed on like they wouldn't shut off. Since I'm pretty sure they are probably the original batteries, I was wondering if that could be the problem? If so, we can just buy new ones and install them. We had to replace the chassis battery a few months ago ... that's why I suspect the coach batteries.
99.99% of RV step problems begin because the mechanism is not lubricated on a regular basis. At least once or twice a year, give EVERY joint a squirt of a good spray lube. WD40 is NOT one of these.

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Old 04-29-2018, 05:28 PM   #5
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I believe your steps are wired to the chassis battery. Do the engine start ok? Do the steps work better with the engine running?
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Old 04-29-2018, 05:29 PM   #6
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From my experience electric steps have been a PIA,

I finally just disconnected the arm and drilled holes pinning the step up and down ...

Works for us..
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Old 04-29-2018, 06:42 PM   #7
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You have a problem with your steps. Why would you think you need new batteries? That doesn’t make sense...
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Old 04-29-2018, 06:50 PM   #8
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You have a problem with your steps. Why would you think you need new batteries? That doesn’t make sense...
Because we just had a brand new step motor and actuator installed, that's why.
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Old 04-29-2018, 06:52 PM   #9
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That seriously sounds like a good idea at this point!
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Old 04-29-2018, 06:57 PM   #10
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If the steps haven't been lubed recently that's where I'd start.
There several moving parts under there that you can't really see from beside the steps. So wiggle your way underneath and spray everything that looks like a pivot point under there. Be sure and NOT lay underneath the steps themselves, you don't want to be there if they suddenly come down.
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Old 04-29-2018, 11:38 PM   #11
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Lube every pivot point of the steps. You can use WD-40 to free them up, follow it with a good lube.
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Old 04-30-2018, 07:03 AM   #12
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I believe your steps are wired to the chassis battery. Do the engine start ok? Do the steps work better with the engine running?
Yep engine starts right up. That battery was just replaced a couple months ago. Steps do not work with engine running.
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Old 04-30-2018, 07:58 AM   #13
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Yep engine starts right up. That battery was just replaced a couple months ago. Steps do not work with engine running.
Then it is safe to say it is not a battery problem. I can not imagine steps not working at all simply because they need some lubrication so I believe you have another problem with the motor or a short somewhere in the step system.
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Old 04-30-2018, 08:06 AM   #14
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Do you have a multimeter to put on the house batteries to see what voltage they are at? Do the lights inside the RV work?
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