Learned something new about my power gear levelers

[Steve&Dora]

Our coach is equipped with PowerGear levelers and I learned something new yesterday. We were at a new campground and we found that the electrical didn't work. Being as we weren't going far I didn't bother plugging the power cord back into the coach. However when we started the engine and went to lower the jacks nothing would happen, wouldn't even turn on the jacks down light was off. After starting and stopping the engine, making sure that it was still in park with he brake applied, I decided to plug the electrical cord back in. After I did that the power gear panel worked. I never realized it mattered if the electric was connected or not.

[RV Wizard]

You need not have to have the coach plugged into shore power for the leveling system to work properly. You do need proper 12 volt power. It sounds as though your house battery disconnect my not be turned on or has a problem feeding power from the battery bank to the coach. What is your coach, year, make and model?

[Steve&Dora]

That was my thought too, until it didn't work with the cord not plugged into anything. it is a 2005 Fleetwood Terra 32s on the workhorse chassis.
I have it home now, and I tried the same scenario with the shore power cord not plugged into anything and everything worked fine.
I haven't done anything with the house batter disconnect and when testing at home had cabin lights on no problem. Didn't think to check that when I was having the issue.
Any suggestions as to what I can do to trouble shoot this? Wasn't a big problem the other day but could easily become one if it happens again

[Old Bounder]

Originally Posted by Steve&Dora

I have it home now, and I tried the same scenario with the shore power cord not plugged into anything and everything worked fine.
I haven't done anything with the house batter disconnect and when testing at home had cabin lights on no problem. Didn't think to check that when I was having the issue.
Any suggestions as to what I can do to trouble shoot this? Wasn't a big problem the other day but could easily become one if it happens again

It sounds like someone accidentally turned off your house batteries, prior to your problem. The simple act of starting the engine would cause your BCC to close both disconnects (both house and chassis) and then the jacks would work.

Not a problem. It's designed that way.

[Steve&Dora]

Except the engine was running the first time I tried. I have found it works better with the engine running.

[RV Wizard]

Follow the manufacturer's instructions; "engine must be running to operate" Power gear systems.

[Cat320]

Originally Posted by RV Wizard

Follow the manufacturer's instructions; "engine must be running to operate" Power gear systems.

My manual says the same thing.

[Steve&Dora]

Ok, well that would explain why it works better with the engine running. But as I said the engine was running first time. But couldn't turn on the power gear and also the jacks down warning light wasn't on.

[RV Wizard]

Originally Posted by Steve&Dora

Ok, well that would explain why it works better with the engine running. But as I said the engine was running first time. But couldn't turn on the power gear and also the jacks down warning light wasn't on.

You also need to have the battery banks turned on.

[wa8yxm]

My guess as to what happened, And I stress that this is a GUESS.

On my coach, far as I know the jacks are wired to the chassis battery, Manual says to have engine running so we have alternator power.. However there is no reason that they could not be wired to the HOUSE circuit if that's how your coach builder wired them.

IN that case.. If your House battery disconnect is in the "Disconnected" mode (Store, Disconnect, OFF whatever they call it) ... Your jacks might well not work till you plugged in. (or if the house batteries are toast, or if your alternator is toast)

[Old Bounder]

Originally Posted by RV Wizard

Follow the manufacturer's instructions; "engine must be running to operate" Power gear systems.

On a Fleetwood gas coach the engine does NOT have to be running to operate the Power Gear jacks.

You do need a good source of 12v, and if that requires the engine to be running, then so be it, but there is NO interlock that says the engine must be running.

[Steve&Dora]

Well the batteries were not turned off, it is a gas engine coach but in any event I did have the engine running. The strangest part of this though is that after I plugged the power cord into the motor home, the jacks worked.

[RV Wizard]

Power Gear wants the engine running to insure good voltage to their system. We repair more systems from low voltage issues than for any other reason. Motors do not like to work with low voltage and over time will fail as a result. Remember a circuit must have a complete path. If you have good 12 volt + you must also have a good 12 volt -. You may want to check for good grounds in case the chassis ground is finding a path through the power cord, through the power supply panel or at the transfer switch.

[CLIFFTALL]

Originally Posted by loulong

On a Fleetwood gas coach the engine does NOT have to be running to operate the Power Gear jacks.

You do need a good source of 12v, and if that requires the engine to be running, then so be it, but there is NO interlock that says the engine must be running.

Fleetwood does require the engine to be running on the electric jack set up. Power gear requires it as well as the control board will not operate without the engine running. Here is a link to the manual http://support.powergearus.com/techdocs/82-L0368.pdf