Howto: bypass oil pressure switch on PowerGear jacks

[castlemusic]

I've been wanting to do this mod since I've owned it, and finally got around to it last weekend. Turns out it was easier than expected! Wanted to share the process, in case someone else would like to do it as well!

The "problem": The PowerGear jack system on my '99 Dream requires a signal from the oil pressure sender to operate; therefore, the engine must be running in order to level the MH. I'm guessing it's so the system is guaranteed good voltage from the alternator, but if your chassis batteries are in good shape, there should be plenty of power to operate! Apparently, later models did away with this setup. I hated pulling up to a campsite, especially after dark, and idling for another 10 minutes while I deployed the slide, got the jack pads in position, then finally levelling. It wastes expensive diesel, and annoys the neighbors! Hence the impetus to make the modification.

The procedure:
Thanks to another poster, I learned that the PowerGear control module is mounted on the ceiling of the second bay, passenger side. It has ~6 screws holding a cover on. Once removed, I was able to identify the wires I needed from the diagram attached. The diagram doesn't indicate if the oil pressure sender sends ground or +12V, so had to do a little testing to determine. Turns out, it does send +12V when the engine is running. With this information, I then cut the line from pin 4, and spliced it to the pin 5 wire (key switched +12V) and voila! The system now works by simply turning the key on.

Hope this helps someone with a similar system!

[MrMark52]

Good information for those who want to use it - but I find it interesting that you are extending your slides before leveling. Coaches are built level and the slides are installed and adjusted with the coach level.
Sliding the slides out with the coach not yet leveled could cause wear issues on the slide mechanisms and slide “bearings”.

Which means the procedure is - drive into camp, and drop your levelers, kill engine.

But your right, good house batteries should easily power the levelers for 1 complete cycle of levelers down/up and slides out/in.

[castlemusic]

Originally Posted by MrMark52

Good information for those who want to use it - but I find it interesting that you are extending your slides before leveling. Coaches are built level and the slides are installed and adjusted with the coach level.
Sliding the slides out with the coach not yet leveled could cause wear issues on the slide mechanisms and slide “bearings”.

That's a good point, Mark. Now that I can take my time levelling with the engine off, I can "pre-level", then deploy the slide, then make adjustments again, as the big ol' slide seems to lean the bus a bit to port!