Community Forums

Chuck Driver · 05-29-2023, 08:07 AM

I am a new owner of a 2008 40' Tradtion and trying to better understand slide operation. Twice I have been unable to get the slides to move period, even with engine running and level. The last time it happened I traced out the 12V cable for slide relay from the manual cut-off switch in the battery & relay compartment and noticed the power source into the maual switch comes from the chasis side of the isolator relay (Big Boy) and from the manual switch onto the 30 amp fuse.

Light bulb switched on in the head... The isolator relay has to be activated in order for the slide to get power. I was connected to shore power at the time, but the big boy relay was not activated (guessing becuase the batteries were fully charged or maybe it was due to both charging sources present simultaneously), so I isolated shore power and restarted the coach and as soon as the big boy relay activated, slides working fine.

Unfortunately Fleetwood/American Coach owner manual doesnt mention anything about the power source condition such as shore power should not be connected.... I can only assume this is the case but for you seasoned owners, can you elaborate on this?

What if the big boy relay or the BIRD fails and you need to move the slides? Is this a situation where the battery boost switch should be used? I've read there is a way to crank the slides manually, but how is this done - just a wrench on the gear axle? Other suggestions?

Thanks in advance - Chuck

Tha_Rooster · 05-30-2023, 05:58 PM

What happens if you hold the aux start button and try?

Gary RVRoamer · 05-31-2023, 03:58 PM

Does your 2008 use an Intellitec BCC or BIRD for charge management or some other method, e.g. a Magnum Smart Combiner. Seems to me the isolator relay should be closed when the engine is running, but maybe the BCC is a little too smart and is interfering under some circumstances?

If the BCC (or whatever) is interfering, you should be able to manually override using the Aux Start button. Try that and let us know what happens.

Chuck Driver · 06-09-2023, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

Does your 2008 use an Intellitec BCC or BIRD for charge management or some other method, e.g. a Magnum Smart Combiner. Seems to me the isolator relay should be closed when the engine is running, but maybe the BCC is a little too smart and is interfering under some circumstances?

If the BCC (or whatever) is interfering, you should be able to manually override using the Aux Start button. Try that and let us know what happens.

Mine has the Intellitec brain. It has on occasion had the relay opened while engine is running, and as I understand it’s function, should command it to open to let the alternator charge the house batteries. I’m not convinced yet this is happening consistently. I’ve reached out to Intellitec with no reply so need to phone them.

Also on our first couple trips we were able to manipulate slides with engine running and no use of the aux start button.

By using the Aux start button we are able to manipulate the slides. On previous occasions I was by myself so didn’t connive a way to press the switch while operating slides.

Curious for future reference, if normal options fail, would it be ok to jump 12v from one side of relay to the other using jumper cable? Might this risk the BCC or the isolator relay?

twinboat · 06-09-2023, 11:22 AM

The big boy relay only connects the house battery to the chassis battery. The alternator is only connected to the chassis battery. Charging is from one battery to the other.

According to your description, your slides are getting power from the chassis batteries.

Activated or not, if your chassis batteries are good and the cable connection are clean and tight, you should have good power for your slides. They must be good if they start the engine.

Gary RVRoamer · 06-09-2023, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Curious for future reference, if normal options fail, would it be ok to jump 12v from one side of relay to the other using jumper cable? Might this risk the BCC or the isolator relay?

No risk as long as the jumper is adequately sized for the amperage.

Gary RVRoamer · 06-09-2023, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

The big boy relay only connects the house battery to the chassis battery. The alternator is only connected to the chassis battery. Charging is from one battery to the other.

According to your description, your slides are getting power from the chassis batteries.

Activated or not, if your chassis batteries are good and the cable connection are clean and tight, you should have good power for your slides. They must be good if they start the engine.

As twinboat says, the connection is battery to battery via the Big Boy relay. Since the alternator is essentially direct to the chassis plus, it is effectively direct to the house battery once the relay closes. The BIRD monitors both batteries and closes the relay as indicated by their relative charge levels. If the chassis batteries won't come up to what BIRD considers normal, the relay doesn't get closed. Read the BIRD Service Manual for a more detailed explanation of when it opens or closes.

It is my understanding that your slides are supposed to operate from the chassis batteries and that it is recommended to be running the engine to insure good voltage and plenty of amps. You seem top be saying yours operates from the house batteries, or am I misunderstanding?

426smartin · 06-09-2023, 09:02 PM

Chuck Driver · 06-12-2023, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

It is my understanding that your slides are supposed to operate from the chassis batteries and that it is recommended to be running the engine to insure good voltage and plenty of amps. You seem top be saying yours operates from the house batteries, or am I misunderstanding?

Gary, no not implying that it runs off the house batteries, I'm certain they run off the chassis batts. The slide positive cable starts from the Big Boy relay on chassis side, then to a manual cut off switch, and onto the 30 amp fuse for the slide motors and then to motors. When slides are not operating without use of aux start switch, the chassis side of big boy is at zero volts and the signal input to it at zero volts.

Sometimes with engine running, the big boy switch will be closed and slides operate without having to use Aux Start switch. That doesnt seem to be the norm.

I also question how well the chassis side is charging house batteries when underway - Big Boy relay in closed position is sporadic. Might be as you mentioned, the BIRD senses voltage not where it needs to be on chassis batteries, but after driving hours you would think the voltage on chassis batteries are at or above (alternator showing 14V most of the time on dash display). I suspect the BIRD may be on the way out. It seems to work perfectly on shore power to close Big Boy and charge chassis batteries.

Thanks

rustandmoss · 06-13-2023, 06:29 PM

One of the things that usually keeps slides from working is that almost all slides require at least 13.7 volts to operate. When this happens again check the battery voltage in your control center to see if it is lower than 13.7 volts. If so; slides are locked out. If on shore power let it set a few minutes to charge to 14 volts. If not hooked to shore power start the engine; ensure you have 14 volts. Happens on occasion.