WARNING - Electric Slide Drive (Not Schwintek) - WARNING

[Scarab0088]

So...we were doing some cleaning as we were prepping for the RV Body Service Guy to come (finally bit the bullet and had the vinyl decals removed ).

During the afternoon, the slide started acting up. It would open as usual, but would not close the last 3"

Look what I found in the bin where the rear slide drive channel rail is mounted...





It appears that the bottom of the slide drive channel is open. The exterior use broom we keep in the pass through must have shifted in the bin and slipped "up" into the open slide drive channel. When we went to close the slide, the channel was blocked by the broom.

We tried closing the slide 3 times, thinking it was caused by low house battery power
Finally, the slide closed with a "SNAP" coming from under the floor

Lucky for us the broom was a cheapo and the handle gave-in before anything else was damaged

We never realized the risk...
So...WARNING...don't let anything get "UP" into the slide drive channel.

Safe Travels

[focker]

Thanks for posting this warning, we will be very careful now.

[anthonynalli]

Yeah Steve, thanks for the valuable warning!

Anthony

[JeffAZ]

I think the good thing about this occurrence is it demonstrates how robust that slide mechanism is! Mine got jammed up last year just like yours and wouldn't close the last few inches, it is a horrible feeling when you are out in the boonies. In my case I had let a large plastic garbage bad get ground up and entrenched in one of the gears. Once I cleaned out the plastic it was fine.


So if the slide doesn't close the first time, it would be a good idea to check the gears and drive channel mechanisms before re-attempting to close the slide.

[Scarab0088]

And surely don't try 3 times before looking in the pass-throughs for obstructions.

[Samflhomes]

Thanks for the heads up on this one
9999 more to go

[JeffAZ]

I have a good idea Steve, lets get you to do more tests on your rig to see what stresses the components can withstand. Next, lets see how many times your automatic Kwikee steps can get slammed when you park too close to a high concrete curb before they fail.

This would be very helpful info. After I park, I find myself opening the door (but leaving the screen door closed) and trying to stick my head out the screen door slider panel to view the curb and trying to judge if the Kwikee step will strike the curb. This is a very difficult maneuver, so your info will be invaluable

[Scarab0088]

Originally Posted by JeffAZ

I have a good idea Steve...Next, lets see how many times your automatic Kwikee steps can get slammed when you park too close to a high concrete curb before they fail.

...

Oh - Mr. AZ Funny Guy

I have tested this scenario repeatedly...with no failure to report - so far.

When too close to the curb, the Kwikee step on #1193 announces my mistake to the entire neighborhood with a "nails on the chalkboard" type of screech where the lowest metal step glides ever-so-gently along the top of the curb.

It stops when:
A. I close the door in embarrassment.
B. The motor-drive of the steps stall under the resistance from the curb.

I think "B" above is part of the "genius" at Kwikee (is that an Oxymoron?)...the drive motor controller electronics stop the motor, when the steps reach the end of their throw or hits something immovable

Your turn...how much weight can the roof withstand from a tree branch that is above the nose cap - but which is not high enough to clear the roof at the loft?

[NLOVNIT]

Steve just wanted a reason NOT to have to sweep off the Patty O'Mat when it came time to pack up & go home after a weekend RV-ing.


Lori-

[JeffAZ]

Oh, Steve's broom is still fully functional, he'll just need to bend over more when he sweeps.

[NLOVNIT]

To quote Larry The Cable Guy: "Now that's funny right there, I don't care who you are!".

Lori-

[Scarab0088]

Originally Posted by NLOVNIT

Steve just wanted a reason NOT to have to sweep off the Patty O'Mat when it came time to pack up & go home after a weekend RV-ing.


Lori-

Shhhhsh! Don't tell the Mrs.
Everything outside the RV, including the Patty O'Mat is generally my responsibility.

If I am really nice, Mrs. Scarab might loan me the interior broom...wouldn't want to cut my self on the jagged remains of the outside broom

But, now thinking about it...that stubby broom might workout if I can transplant the end cap...Thanks Jeff!

[NLOVNIT]

Originally Posted by Scarab0088

...If I am really nice, Mrs. Scarab might loan me the interior broom..

Oh no, no, NO. Interior brooms are for inside only, outside brooms are for exterior only. Never confuse the two.

Lori-

[Scarab0088]

Truer words have rarely been written

I don't know what I was thinking