Community Forums

weird · 01-17-2023, 08:38 AM

I've been chasing this slide out issue for four years. The problem is the Kitchen slide on my 2017 Ventana 3412 starts to retract and then stops as it tries to climb up onto the floor. I'm told, this is because the slide controller is detecting too much of a power draw and is "amping out" to protect the motor. If I push on the slide while my wife operates the slide control, we can get it, "over the hump" and it goes in. Sometimes it takes two people pushing.

I've had it serviced twice at Midway RV in Grand Rapids and twice at the Nappanee service center. The slide controller has been replaced and the floor under the refrigerator has been reenforced because it was sagging slightly. After repairs, it works, only to fail after a few months.

It feels like the slide is not getting enough power but that's only my perception. I have no evidence to indicate power is the issue. I replaced my house batteries two years ago. The problem existed before replacing the batteries. I've also made an effort to keep the slide screws lubricated and the wall seals cleaned and lubricated with the appropriate spray.

I'm scheduled to go back yet again in April to Nappanee.

Curious if anyone else has had a similar recurring problem.

wolfe10 · 01-17-2023, 08:42 AM

What is voltage at the slide motor when this happens?

Could be a simple as too small a gauge wire from batteries causing excessive voltage drop under high-amp load.

Dutch Star Don · 01-17-2023, 12:13 PM

If your coach will allow the slide to operate while the engine is running, try it that way.

You should also have a battery monitor at the front of the coach with your tank monitor or on the Precision instrument panel. While running the slide look and see which batteries get drawn down. On my coach, the slides run off of the starting batteries, that's why having the engine running helps.

alank · 01-17-2023, 07:14 PM

When you go in for service again, I would ask about the availability of a motor with higher torque, and/or a gear box with a lower dear ratio. Either one should solve the problem.

If it works after being serviced and fails later, I would suspect the slide starts to move harder over time. The slide floor is most likely supported by rollers, I would be looking at the condition of the rollers, how easily they roll and the ramp they have to roll up.

Vacationfools · 01-17-2023, 07:41 PM

On my controller there a small dial, it on the upper left side. By turning that dial A LITTLE AT A TIME (I’m not sure which way) it will increase the power to the slide motor. Turn it just enough so your slide will come in properly. Had to do this on mine when I replaced the slide motor.

weird · 01-18-2023, 07:01 AM

- I can't run the slides with the motor on. Bummer.

- I'll ask about the slide motor upgrade.

- I have the Revision C controller which does not have the dial. User on another forum has said there is a jumper on the Rev C controller I can change. That seems promising. Will check this weekend. https://rvforums.com/threads/never-e...637/post-87486

Ed Headington · 01-18-2023, 08:53 AM

This may be a dumb suggestion, but have you tried to flip the slide switch off when it stalls and then right back on again? Our one slide does the same thihg,but i just hit that switch and it starts right back up. Sometimes I have to do this 2 or 3 times, but it is not a big deal and it comes right in this way.

twinboat · 01-18-2023, 09:18 AM

Is the controller " amping out " or is an auto reset breaker cutting out, cutting power to the controller.

Circuit breakers do wear out.

Have you tried bringing in the slide on shore or generator power ?

Maybe holding the boost switch.

alank · 01-18-2023, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weird

- I can't run the slides with the motor on. Bummer.

- I'll ask about the slide motor upgrade.

- I have the Revision C controller which does not have the dial. User on another forum has said there is a jumper on the Rev C controller I can change. That seems promising. Will check this weekend. https://rvforums.com/threads/never-e...637/post-87486

If there is a jumper on the controller board that UPS the amperage before the controller cuts out, go for it, may solve your problem.

wildtoad · 01-19-2023, 05:31 AM

Assuming we have the same Rev C controller you can have the controller “learn” how much power is needed. If I remember correctly, on the controller there is a jumper that if you pull it off the controller will go into learn mode. The controller should display a L. Run the slide in a couple of times. Replace jumper.

Also, are you hooked to power or running generator when you run the slide? My manual says to do so.

YC1 · 01-19-2023, 06:01 AM

What Wolfe said.

If you can get to the motor or motors. Find a good ground for a meter and measure the positive wire right at the motor as it is retracting. Measure the negative/ground wire too.

If you have voltage on the ground wire, your ground is bad or ground wire size is too small as suggested by Wolfe.

If you get low voltage at the positive wire, you need to trace it to every connections then clean and tighten them.

I suspect too small of a wire would not be the cause or all of the RV with your setup would experience the issue.

If it is a self resetting breaker opening, the testing will sort that out quickly.

twinboat · 01-19-2023, 06:19 AM

DC motors reverse by reversing the positive and negetive wires, there is no ground connection between the controller and motor.

If you suspect bad wiring, swap the wires on both motors or at the controller and use the switch backwards. If it works the same, it's not the wiring.

Bobby Dowdle · 01-19-2023, 07:55 AM

It may not be as simple as just a motor. If the room is binding, that will cause the excess amps. You need to put an amp clamp on the motor and test the amps. That’s how you determine where you need to go next. Once you give me the amount draw, I can assist you further.

Country Road · 01-19-2023, 07:56 AM

Referring to the OP’s problem, I think that slides very often have small problems more often than not. I realize his problem and the possible fixes.

The reason I say this is my kitchen slide has to always be helped about midway out and midway in on the front end. A little push going out and coming in makes it work correctly. It’s as if it doesn’t travel at the same speed on both ends and gets in a bind. It was like that from day one.