Generator Slide Won't Extend 1998 Alpine

[azpete]

gene, call me at 602 549 3638. maybe i can help. simple test, open the extend solenoid and see if it goes all the way out. if so, stop half way out, and disconnect the extend solenoid. test the black wire while someone holds the extend button. should show 12 volts. maybe as a safe way to do it, also unplug the retract.
paul maddox
i work full time for hwh corp. i do not solicit part sales on this forum. i only do service when assigned by hwh corp.

[alpinedrvr]

Hi Gene

You now have been invited to call Paul Maddox (azpete). Take him up on his offer as he is the guru of HWH systems. He has just recently helped me get my system back working properly.

Geoff

[jacwjames]

I have a different make/model of generator slide but it does have a hydraulic ram that moves it in/out. The ram had two nuts that attach it to the frame

I was having trouble with mine and now carry socket that fits the nuts on the stem so I can remove them and at least be able to move the slide out. Kind of a pain but it does provide me with access to check oil level if it is stuck.

[gmcgene]

[QUOTE=alpinedrvr;6049048]Hi Gene

You now have been invited to call Paul Maddox (azpete).

Geoff,
I fired up my computer to search for AZ Pete's contact info and discovered his post shortly after he sent it. Amazing timing!

I called him and he walked me through some trouble shooting procedures.
Since the retract function worked he suggested switching the connections between the extend and retract solenoids. Using the RETRACT button to extend the slide and the EXTEND button to retract verified that both solenoids were working.
However, the malfunction moved to the retract function.

The problem appears to be in the EXTEND side of the control switch and is intermittent.

Anyone know how to remove the switches from the HWH control panel on the early Alpines. It is different from the later coaches.

Any source for a replacement switch?

Thanks to Paul Maddox and all others who contributed suggestions.

For HWH issues-"Better Call Paul" Sounds like a recent TV series

[New Guy Will]

For whatever it is worth: On my 2000 40 FDS the Jacks must be down and level to extend Living Room Slide, but this does not apply to Front Hydraulic Generator Slide.
I just finished rebuilding all 4 Hyd Arms (They were all shot, and leaking, when I bought my coach) for both slides on my coach, and also had to send in control box to HWH to have the Computer Card replaced to get My Jacks/Slides working right.
I suggest to call HWH Corp (563) 724-3396, and ask for Service Manager (his Name is Joe), He is VERY knowledgeable and can probably walk you through trouble shooting your problem...He did it for me after we had rebuilt all the hydraulics and the jacks still wouldn't operate.
As I said before it turned out to be the computer chip in the control box on mine, but Joe walked me through several other scenarios before we concluded it was the chip.
Took about 10 days turnaround from HWH to do the rebuild, but they did get it right back to me, and solved my problems.
Yours may not be that serious though.
He is very busy, and the big problem is getting him on the phone. If you call every day for a while, eventually you can get past the gatekeepers, and he is great to work with.
Good Luck, Will

[New Guy Will]

I have pictures of those switches that you need on my phone, but not smart enough to know how to download them on to this site... They are made in Mexico, and they have numbers on the side that you can read. It is 2 switches 1 is to activate the generator slide just an on off switch and the other toggles to extend or retract.. Have you send me your email address I can send you a picture of these Switches.... I had them out on mine also when I was working through these problems, but it turned out that the switches were fine, I just had a computer chip in the HWH system that had to be replaced.

[New Guy Will]

I found that the switches were basically interchangeable...My Gen Slide was fully functional at the time, but my LR Slide was not working, so I simply traded the extend/retract switch Living Room Slide Switch over to the Gen Slide Switch and tried it. The switch worked on the Gen Slide side, so I knew it wasn't the switch.

[florida egg]

Hi Gene,

I had same issues with my 98 Alpine late last year. Turned out my extend wire had disconnected from the back of the extend/retract rocker switch and I had a defective extend/retract rocker switch. I also broke the gen slide lighted on/off rocker switch while trying to remove the rocker switch from the HWH control panel. I ordered two new rocker switches (an on/off lighted switch and an extend/retract switch for the gen slide) from Rocker Switch Pros (www.rockerswitchpros.com) as well as a cover removal tool which allows you to remove the cover of the switches and put the old labeled covers on the new rocker switch. Everything now works as it should. I did learn the hard way to take pictures of everything and diagram the wires before changing out the switches! By the way, I have also had to have both cylinders on the gen slide removed and rebuilt after they started leaking. Please let me know if you need the diagrams or pictures.

Scott

[Davenlsn]

Gene, I had the same problem with my 2003 34 foot. I crawled under and took all the bearing rollers/guides off and cleaned them then sprayed them with liquid silicone lube. make sure they are all free and spinning. Works like a champ.

[Old Scout]

Interesting to note, seems WRV switched from the older style hydraulic genset slide to an electric slide during the 2003 model year. Periodic lubrication solutions for the newer electric slide wont apply to the older hydraulic slide.

[andy29847]

Gene hasn't posted here since JAN. I'm hoping he got his problems fixed. I'm going to share a couple of things that might help the next guy that finds this on a search.


It is very confusing looking through the side door at the HWH equipment. I've spent some time trying to figure out things but I keep getting surprises. The latest that I found (as I was working on my Generator slide) is that the gen slide retract servo is different than the gen slide extend servo.





The switches:
ON/OFF





extend/retract




manual retract


slide hydraulic parts


HWH reference material

[Davenlsn]

Gene,
I forgot to ask if your coach is Electric or Hydraulic. Mine is Electric and has a long screw pushing and pulling.

[Davenlsn]

Disregard everything i said. I can't/didn't read the second word!