Help with hydraulic levelers

[JerrySt]

I bought a 1997 National Dolphin and have been doing a bunch of maintenance on it.

Most recent problem is hydraulic levelers either won't go all the way back up or warning buzzer has a problem?
When I picked it up from the last front end work, the buzzer is sounding. Before starting out, got underneath and looked and it seemed that the one jack was still extended 1/2 inch. Tried to withdraw it to no avail. Once back at house (only 2 mile drive) It seems to be all the way up but buzzer still sounds?
Any help would be appreciated.

[n2zon]

Originally Posted by JerrySt

I bought a 1997 National Dolphin and have been doing a bunch of maintenance on it.

Most recent problem is hydraulic levelers either won't go all the way back up or warning buzzer has a problem?
When I picked it up from the last front end work, the buzzer is sounding. Before starting out, got underneath and looked and it seemed that the one jack was still extended 1/2 inch. Tried to withdraw it to no avail. Once back at house (only 2 mile drive) It seems to be all the way up but buzzer still sounds?
Any help would be appreciated.

Extend jacks, spray pistons with WD-40, wipe pistons off with a soft rag, and report back.

[JerrySt]

Thank you! I will get back to you next week when I can get to the jacks.



This forum is always very helpful.

[Richard S.]

this may help https://www.irv2.com/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=37

[deblas]

Yep clean up the cylinders and lube accordingly. Regarding the buzzer, I’d be surprised that a 1/2” extension is causing the alarm to sound.
Once the the cylinders are all way up, check the reservoir fluid; it may need to be topped off.
Check you manual if you have, but I believe ATF is all you’ll need.

[docj]

Originally Posted by deblas

Once the the cylinders are all way up, check the reservoir fluid; it may need to be topped off.
Check you manual if you have, but I believe ATF is all you’ll need.

On some jack systems, the warning buzzer isn't actually triggered by the position of the pistons in the levelers; it is triggered by the fluid in the reservoir dropping when the jacks go down. That is how RVA Jacks systems were designed, to name one brand.

The proper procedure for topping of an RVA system calls for raising all jacks and then lowering one of them by about 6". Fill the reservoir to the top and then raise the one jack. The warning buzzer and/or light ought to go out.

FWIW, on my RVA installation it is all but impossible to get fluid into the reservoir without spilling it everywhere. I use a drill-based pump to move the ATF and it works like a charm.

Joel (AKA docj)

[deblas]

Hey docj,

Where in my post did I state or even elude to the position of the jack triggers an alarm?

Retracting the jacks, puts the fluid in the reservoir. Thats all.

I’m not gonna get into particulars of a specific system as I do not know what the op has.

[deblas]

I reread my post and can see the correlation to the Jack position.
In my mind I was thinking only about fluid displacement.
My apologies.

[docj]

Originally Posted by deblas

I reread my post and can see the correlation to the Jack position.
In my mind I was thinking only about fluid displacement.
My apologies.

No apology necessary. I wasn't criticizing you, I was simply pointing out that on my system, for example, jack position isn't the determining factor. I can have a jack down by an inch or so and it doesn't matter.

Thanks for trying to help another RVer.

Joel (AKA docj)

[jimjenturner]

I have an 2004 Adventurer, jacks would take forever to retract and I would also sometimes need use a bar under the jack. Found a trick from someone who works with hydraulic cylinders. As the jacks age the seals dry out and bind the cylinder/ram. At the beginning of the season I put the jacks down and soak a rag in transmission fluid and hold it on the ram and seal with a tie wrap for a while as I do other things. Cut the tie wraps off and remove rag and that seems to work for a few months going camping every weekend.

[John Wayne]

You will know when the fluid is low by just a little as the buzzer will go off as you turn a corner as the fluid moves and the float drops down causing the jack down buzzer to go off.

[JerrySt]

As always, great information! I will do both - clean the jacks and fill the reservoir.

[lwmcguire]

Add a quart of Marvel Mystery oil to the reservoir if you have room

[Kickman921]

Each Jack has a zerk fitting to allow you to lube them. That totally fixed my Jack's not retracting properly. Something to check.