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MikenDebbie · 07-28-2024, 11:20 AM

My 04 Fleetwood Southwind 32VS has PowerGear hydraulic slide mechanism.
Curious if PowerGear has a prohibition against running the slide partially in or out (like for example a Schwintek slide - you have to go all the way out or in and never stop short).

A few weeks ago i needed to run the slide out just a bit to work on slide topper…and I wondered if you are not supposed to go half way. Just asking the question for peace of mind.

THenne1713 · 07-29-2024, 08:08 AM

Personally, i cannot picture any concerns on doing this temporary, except that seals are not used in any middle position, It is sealed only when fully in/out.

azpete · 07-30-2024, 09:01 AM

on any brand of hydraulic system, running a hydraulic room partially out, or in, often will cause the two ends to end up out of synchronization. its ok if the room walks a little while moving in either direction, but if its more than a couple of inches, there is a problem. hold the switch...
when you run the room all the way out, or in, you should hold the switch on for a few seconds afterwards. this give the sync cylinder time to resynchronize internally.
it doesnt hurt to extend or retract partially, occasionally, but do make a habit of holding the switch a few seconds.
its good for the system, and saves money in the long run.

Gary RVRoamer · 07-30-2024, 02:08 PM

My old '96 Southwind had the PG hydraulic slide and I never had a concern about stopping partway out. However, I rarely had reason to do that except for a brief time, e.g. temporarily at a highway rest area or perform some maintenance. As mentioned, the slide isn't sealed unless fully open or closed.

I don't understand the comment about the ends syncing (or not). Maybe my ignorance, but I never saw anything that needed to be synced in that mechanism.

THenne1713 · 07-31-2024, 10:53 AM

I totally disagree on hydraulic systems, most are stupid, have no sync. Mine, Dewald brand is single piston. In fact, when mine malfunctioned and solenoids sticking engaged, it would trip circuit breaker after about 1-3-seconds after reaching limits.

Motor/ gear driven with circuit board that shut off motor based on motor amp surge/ spike is different story and suspect that is what you meant to say?

azpete · 07-31-2024, 11:05 AM

i work for hwh, and all our two cylinder rooms have a sync cylinder. some older ones of some other brand may not have had a sync cylinder, but the all have some kind of device to keep them in sync, whether a sync cylinder or a torque bar.

no single cylinder mechanism needs to be sync'ed.