Community Forums

V-drive · 03-04-2010, 07:30 AM

Hi, New here.
I have a 2005 Bounder Diesel w/3 slides.
Question is: Can I run the slides with the ignition switch OFF and the motor not running? The manual says NO but every other Make & Model I inquire about works that way - including some of the older Bounders.
Please advise.

skipwil · 03-04-2010, 10:53 AM

V-drive- Welcome to the Forum.
I have an '01 Discovery 37v. The slides operate with the ignition "off". I've never tried it with the engine running tho.
Safe Travels...

tmar10 · 03-04-2010, 11:19 AM

On our gas model I operate the slides and electric jacks with the motor running to assist the batteries. I have tried it without the engine running and it made no difference with the new battery, I doubt I would have the same results today with older batteries.

**NLOVNIT** · 03-04-2010, 01:45 PM

Hi V-drive. Welcome to iRV2.

The instructions above our slide switches say to operate the slides only with the engine running but I have also both deployed & retracted them without doing so. I have not had any issues so I don't understand the reasoning for the instructions.

Since it works either way, I would like to know the reasoning behind having the engine running before running the slide mechanisms myself. Is there an engineer out there who can shed light?

Lori-

**CLIFFTALL** · 03-04-2010, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V-drive

Hi, New here.
I have a 2005 Bounder Diesel w/3 slides.
Question is: Can I run the slides with the ignition switch OFF and the motor not running? The manual says NO but every other Make & Model I inquire about works that way - including some of the older Bounders.
Please advise.

My 08 boubder can with the access. position , without starting the engine.

Make sure your batteries are charged or this will put a hurtin on them.

Cliff

Wayne M · 03-04-2010, 03:56 PM

Gents,
As Cliff posted, you have a very large current drain when extending jacks and slides, or retracting them. You can damage your battery. Running the engine, as described, allows the alternator to assist the batteries in the operation. It could save you some buck in the long run.

Even the manual for my MH states to run the engine to assist in the operations of slides and jacks.

Good luck.

Gary RVRoamer · 03-04-2010, 04:14 PM

If your batteries are in decent condition - or if you are already plugged into shore power - your won't harm the batteries and there will be plenty of power for the slide motors to operate. But with old, tired batteries, the voltage could be low and you could have trouble with the slide or even burn up a slide motor. I suspect they are trying to idiot proof the situation by telling you t run the engine so the alternator can help out.

I've heard of some late model Fleetwood RVs that will not operate the slide unless the key is on. Not sure when they started doing that.

Bob (WA0MQE) · 03-05-2010, 06:42 AM

My '04 Pace Arrow must have the ignition in either ACC or ON to operate the slides. Also the emergency brake must be engaged.

Gary RVRoamer · 03-05-2010, 12:04 PM

Interesting, because my 04 American Tradition (also Fleetwood) requires neither.

dezertcamper · 03-05-2010, 12:08 PM

I have an 03 Southwind and I could open a slide without the engine running, but it is very hard on the battery's. I personal only open or close them with the engine running.

dajudge · 03-05-2010, 02:24 PM

I have an 06 Allegro Bay and the slides won't operate with the ignition on or the key in the ignition. The emergency brake has to be on also. The procedure I use when I am ready to park it is, first i do the jacks with the engine running, brakes locked. Then I turn the engine off, take the key out and run out the slides.

Seajay · 03-27-2010, 04:58 PM

Wanna save your batteries and your drive motors on your slides. Here is the answer..
When you extend the slides get your wife to hit the switch and you simply push on the top border of the room. This will accomplish two things. It will make your batteries and your drive motors work a lot less and it will give you the chance to ''feel'' the room as it goes out. Feel for scrapes, binding, bumps and jiggles. Get to know your ''slide'' by the sound of it and by the ''feel of it'' ..... Transversely, when you run your slides in do the same thing only stand outside the coach and use the ''tap'' communications method. You stand outside the room and ''tap'' two times on the wall of the slide. Your wife turns the switch for going in and you push on the room as it moves. Again you get a ''free feel'' of exactly how the room is operating and you save your batteries and your motors and you get to personally know your ''room''. The only down side of this is that if you have awnings over your rooms and it has rained recently, you might get wet.
Anyhow, I use this method and I got over six years out of my house batteries and I have never had to replace a drive motor and my coach is 10 years old and it has over 106,000 miles on it.
as usual, If you use this valuable information you have to pay me ten cents the next time you see me....... of course, if it dont work for you....... I NEVER KNEW YOU ........LOL....
Seajay the sailor man
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