Community Forums

Tourbustoo · 08-20-2013, 01:50 PM

Can I start my rig while hooked up to the power to extend my slides completely out, or do I have to unplug? Any ideas?

Ramblin · 08-20-2013, 01:54 PM

I have never heard of any problems starting the engine while plugged in to shore power, however you should not have to just to extend your slides.

bdickson · 08-20-2013, 01:56 PM

In fact on the two Thor's I have owned the slides are inoperative with the engine running. In any case, running the engine while hooked up to shore power should not cause a problem.

RickO · 08-20-2013, 01:57 PM

Yeah, I don't think you'll have a problem. I assume you want to start the engine because your manual says to have it running when operating the slides to reduce the strain on the batteries? Winnebago suggests this but I sometimes ignore it.

Rick

MSHappyCampers · 08-20-2013, 03:42 PM

If your rig will start with the slides extended there should not be a problem.

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

doc · 08-20-2013, 04:46 PM

bdickson has a point. Our slides will not operate with engine running. If we run them out without electric, I crank the genset. Might not be necessary, but I like the idea of the security and not killing batteries with 4 slides to run in or out. Our batteries charge with it running as well.

BFlinn181 · 08-20-2013, 04:51 PM

If you're plugged in and the converter/charger is working, why would you need to start the engine to keep batteries from discharging? But to add to the others, if you don't have an interlock with slides and ignition, running the engine while on shore power should cause no issues.

Tourbustoo · 08-20-2013, 04:59 PM

Thank you all for your input. The reason I need to run the engine is because the slides will not extend any other way.

vsheetz · 08-20-2013, 07:20 PM

On my coach the owners manual states to have engine running when moving slides. I have tries without the engine running. The main slide may or may not move and if it does its even slower. The slide system needs the extra oomph to the batteries to get'er done.

Also when chassis battery started to get tired thesis slide would not come in without a manual push assist. A new battery resolved this issue.

wa8yxm · 08-20-2013, 07:51 PM

Depends on your RV.. Mine the slides do not slide with the engine running, but the jack's Don't jack without the engine running.

Now, when it comes to starting the engine while plugged into shore power... no reason not to,, No conflict between them at all.. Only restriction is do not drive more than a couple feet.

In fact.. Due to a small jack problem I level with planks, I will start the motor home and drive it off the plank BEFORE I pull the shore power cord and stow it.

bartlettj · 08-21-2013, 11:45 AM

I have a travel trailer and a truck, so your electrical system may be different... if I start my truck with the trailer connected to the 7 pin jack and plugged into shore power, it may or may not blow the 40 amp fusible link that provides battery charge power to the trailer. I've had it happen a couple of times but it usually doesn't. I'm guessing it happens because the trailer tries to charge the truck battery when it is being started.

BFlinn181 · 08-21-2013, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bartlettj

I have a travel trailer and a truck, so your electrical system may be different... if I start my truck with the trailer connected to the 7 pin jack and plugged into shore power, it may or may not blow the 40 amp fusible link that provides battery charge power to the trailer. I've had it happen a couple of times but it usually doesn't. I'm guessing it happens because the trailer tries to charge the truck battery when it is being started.

Two ways to solve this issue, put a diode in the circuit to prevent current flow from trailer to truck, or use an automatic reset circuit breaker so it can trip and reset without having to replace fusible link.

frankdamp · 08-21-2013, 08:20 PM

Our '02 Georgetown doesn't need either the engine or shore power to operate slides or jacks. We have two Costco deep-cycle marine/RV house batteries and they've never even slowed down when running slides and jacks. We normally level then deploy the two slides and re-level as needed. Then I hook up to shore power. Haven't had battery/slide/jack issues in three seasons.

I guess we either have a well-designed system (yeah, sure), two strong batteries or we've been lucky.

Tourbustoo · 08-25-2013, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankdamp

Our '02 Georgetown doesn't need either the engine or shore power to operate slides or jacks. We have two Costco deep-cycle marine/RV house batteries and they've never even slowed down when running slides and jacks. We normally level then deploy the two slides and re-level as needed. Then I hook up to shore power. Haven't had battery/slide/jack issues in three seasons.

I guess we either have a well-designed system (yeah, sure), two strong batteries or we've been lucky.

Maybe that's what I need to do! I purchased the MH in Oct '09, and the previous owners had replaced the batteries a year prior; and since I have the room, I think I'm going to go with 4 house batteries! Any thoughts?