Community Forums

tjshively · 10-18-2020, 05:55 PM

2005 Alpine Coach 36' FDDS
See attached photo. Can anyone tell me what this thing is?
As you can see it is in the battery compartment.
Thanks

Alpine06 · 10-18-2020, 06:06 PM

Hi,
This is the hydraulic equalization cylinder for the bedroom slide. It belongs to the HWH system.
Jörg

tjshively · 10-18-2020, 07:15 PM

Thanks

whalepirot · 10-19-2020, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpine06

This is the hydraulic equalization cylinder for the bedroom slide.

Leaks are rare, but happen (ask me). Placing a (pricey) Vansco below any possible source of liquid would not be something I would design; quite likely would relocate.

Alpine06 · 10-19-2020, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whalepirot

Leaks are rare, but happen (ask me). Placing a (pricey) Vansco below any possible source of liquid would not be something I would design; quite likely would relocate.

I think many of us have added a channel above the Vasco system to divert any oil leaking. This is still on my to do list and I think it is important as you pointed already out.

WinstonWolf · 10-19-2020, 11:19 PM

so now that us newbies know what it is,.....what's its purpose ?

bcbowers · 10-20-2020, 08:16 AM

The slideouts typically employ 2 rams which need to be equalized to avoid jamming when extending or retracting.

Fattire_Bike · 10-20-2020, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcbowers

The slideouts typically employ 2 rams which need to be equalized to avoid jamming when extending or retracting.

Stupid question. Do these hydraulic equalization cylinders ever need adjustment? Sometimes our main slide "sticks" on one side and then pops out. It's unnerving to watch and listen to. I've lubed the rams underneath the slide with T-9 with applied Slide-Out Dry Lube Protectant on the side and bottom rubber seals. The problem is far less prevalent when we're not level and don't have our levelers down.

Alpine06 · 10-20-2020, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fattire_Bike

Stupid question. Do these hydraulic equalization cylinders ever need adjustment? Sometimes our main slide "sticks" on one side and then pops out. It's unnerving to watch and listen to. I've lubed the rams underneath the slide with T-9 with applied Slide-Out Dry Lube Protectant on the side and bottom rubber seals. The problem is far less prevalent when we're not level and don't have our levelers down.

The synchronizing (or equalization) cylinder has 2 pistons and some valves inside. I do not know of any possible adjustment.
So my large room slide sticks in the upper right hand corner ... sometimes. I used to always level the coach and then extended the room slide. I have changed this practice and extend the room slide before I use the leveling jacks. Not once got the corner stuck.
This shows me that the precision / repeatability of the frame not being twisted by the jacks is not all that great. It also shows that the frame is stiff enough so that it only allows for minimum twist sitting on inflated airbags.
Anyways give it a try.

Old Scout · 10-20-2020, 04:01 PM

...not sure when it changed but some model years of Alpine [mine is an early 2003] "require" the jacks to be extended before the main slide will deploy....never tried it, but suspect you could manually lower the jacks slightly and "fool" the interlock into allowing the main slide to deploy....
PS--over time, the main slide can shift left or right within the wall opening and along with being off height-wise[see paint lines]…..this can cause slide corners to hang up or rub on side wall[see paint scrapes] sometimes--both of these conditions can be adjusted/corrected...

Alpine06 · 10-20-2020, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Scout

...not sure when it changed but some model years of Alpine [mine is an early 2003] "require" the jacks to be extended before the main slide will deploy....never tried it, but suspect you could manually lower the jacks slightly and "fool" the interlock into allowing the main slide to deploy....

Ugh I did not know that and assumed all HWH controls were the same.

whalepirot · 10-20-2020, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Scout

...not sure when it changed but some model years of Alpine [mine is an early 2003] "require" the jacks to be extended before the main slide will deploy.

Interesting and first I heard that. Our '07 has no such lockout, unless it was bypassed by the PO. The upper right bind mentioned is an occasional thing that leveling has little effect on.

The manual recommends leveling prior.

I now need to check for the shift mentioned and how to remedy.

Old Scout · 10-20-2020, 05:18 PM

...to answer the question--believe the equalizer tubes are self-adjusting ….like bleeding trapped air, a couple cycles of fully extended and fully closed slides should re-sync everything...

RVPioneer · 10-20-2020, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whalepirot

Interesting and first I heard that. Our '07 has no such lockout, unless it was bypassed by the PO. The upper right bind mentioned is an occasional thing that leveling has little effect on.

The manual recommends leveling prior.

I now need to check for the shift mentioned and how to remedy.

Agree. It is recommended to level the coach by deploying the jacks prior to extending the slides. There is no physical “lock out” on our 2005 that prevents the slides from being extended while the jacks are retracted.