Newmar slide activation idiosyncrasies

[J&JD]

There have been several threads on different rv forums discussing the importance of running the engine while operating the slides to give you optimum voltage for the slide motors. This made sense to me so I decide to use this procedure when operating my slides. Well……Newmar has some weird stuff going on with my coach and I would like to hear how other’s slides work.
1. The HWH full wall slide will work in or out with the engine running or the ignition off, doesn’t matter. It does seem to work best with the engine running.
2. The kitchen slide will come in with the engine running but will not go out with the ignition on and/or engine running?? Go figure.
3. The bedroom slide will not go in or out with the ignition on or engine running.

Why would the slides be wired completely differently? Obviously running the engine while operating the slides will only work for the FWS on my coach. How are your slides set to work in relation to the ignition?

 

[Neal]

My coach inhibits slide movement with the ignition on, later models don't do this. However, I think the engine is insignificant, it doesn't add/remove anything I'm aware of. Instead what's important is probably being on shore power (or GEN). My slides are 12V (no hydraulics) so having the power strong is important, not relying on house batteries. You can park, connect, run slides. Air up, run slides, disconnect power. No reason power can't be hooked up when slides are run.

 

[J&JD]

My coach inhibits slide movement with the ignition on, later models don't do this. However, I think the engine is insignificant, it doesn't add/remove anything I'm aware of. Instead what's important is probably being on shore power (or GEN). My slides are 12V (no hydraulics) so having the power strong is important, not relying on house batteries. You can park, connect, run slides. Air up, run slides, disconnect power. No reason power can't be hooked up when slides are run.

I have always plugged into power or run the generator prior to slide operation. However, there is a contingent that feel that the best power source is when the engine is running for various reasons. You can definitely notice the difference with the HWH FWS. Also, there are those that feel the kitchen slide that has two motors benefits from the engine running. But my main question was why all the slides on my coach have different ignition lockout systems. How are other DS’s set up?

 

[MapNerd]

My slides (electric) work in all ignition states (on, running, off) but my levelers only work with engine on.

My slides definitely seem to operate better with the engine running though.

 

[Neemer]

All of mine work with engine running.

 

[Engleman]

Why wouldn't slides not open / or close with the engine running or just the ignition on. My rig is a fleetwood with 12v power gear and running or just ignition on, operates either way! Dont quite get it??

 

[lostinfla]

Our FWS will operate with the engine running and does run faster when done so, but neither the kitchen or bedroom will move with engine running. I had planned to find the offending solenoid/switch and disable, but it really hasn't bothered me enough yet to look for it.

 

[lostinfla]

Why wouldn't slides not open / or close with the engine running or just the ignition on. My rig is a fleetwood with 12v power gear and running or just ignition on, operates either way! Dont quite get it??

I'm thinking the manufacturer doesn't want stupidity to enter into the equation while driving down the road and having someone think, "I wonder what this switch does."

 

[NWIP]

Our 2017 wouldn’t go in/out with ignition on or running. There was a few times my heart stopped when nothing happened when I pushed the button to bring the slide in or out, only to find the key was on.

2020 is totally different, works in all configuration. My normally procedure is shore power connected, run engine to bring to ride height and leave running, bring slides in and then disconnect shore power. I do believe FWS operates more smoothly with engine running.

 

[Neal]

I'm thinking the manufacturer doesn't want stupidity to enter into the equation while driving down the road and having someone think, "I wonder what this switch does."

Or stupidity of the design and some failsafe fails, or a relay fails, and your slides extend while driving without user interaction. Kinda like Girard awnings...

 

[lostinfla]

They had a new (at the time, maybe '18) King Aire at North Trail decide to deploy the awnings right next to a new Mountain Aire. The result was not nice.

 

[J&JD]

Our 2017 wouldn’t go in/out with ignition on or running. There was a few times my heart stopped when nothing happened when I pushed the button to bring the slide in or out, only to find the key was on.

2020 is totally different, works in all configuration. My normally procedure is shore power connected, run engine to bring to ride height and leave running, bring slides in and then disconnect shore power. I do believe FWS operates more smoothly with engine running.

That’s what I’m hearing is the best way to operate the system. Seems as if Newmar decided the same thing and changed to fully operational with the engine running sometime after my 2017 model year. Anyone know where the relays are to allow slide use with engine running?

 

[Joe Hogan]

Odd things happen with switched power

From another Board

"The immediate issue is over, but could use some help figuring it out. As the title says, I had the main slideout open itself while driving down the interstate at 65 mph. Luckily, I was able to address the situation safely."

 

[Richpatty]

Like others, I have all electric slides (Ventana), and I have had times when I pushed out or retracted the slides on battery alone... I have not noticed any difference. It has occurred with only fully charged batteries. And I have not figured out which battery bank powers the slides...and I have watched the voltage on the battery meter near the switches and cannot discern any significant draw down when they are running.

As others have said, none of the slides on my unit will work with the ignition key on...so I either have to be on shore power or generator. And although I see this as a best practice, especially with the hydraulic units, I am wondering how high the draw could be, especially if it does not significantly show up on the battery meter. I would hope the slides would utilize the house batteries as they are a larger bank to draw from, but if they were fully charged, especially lithium's, I really can't see why they wouldn't be able to run the slides without AC power.

I welcome thoughts.

 

[Magua]

On my 2014 Essex, the full wall slide will go out with the engine running. It will not go in with the engine running. Thus you have to start up, get to ride height, and then shut down to bring the slide in. Very aggravating. The other two slides all have to have the engine off.

 

[Scotttkd2]

I believe things like slide operation strictly depend on make, model and year of the coach. All are designed similarly (ie a box that slides out of the wall of the coach) yet will have significant differences in operation due to what components were used, size of slide, etc. My manual is my go to, as it will be my insurance with the factory if something goes awry. (Hey, I followed your written instructions to operate). BTW, my manual says best operation for my 2020 Newmar KSDP is genny running or plugged into shore power and engine running. I have done that all along and had mostly good results, some out of alignment issues depending on how well the levelers did their job, but never a failure to extend or retract. Fingers crossed that success continues. Previous coach was a dumpster fire when it came to the FWS Even when following their instructions to the letter. Go figure.

 

[J&JD]

Like others, I have all electric slides (Ventana), and I have had times when I pushed out or retracted the slides on battery alone... I have not noticed any difference. It has occurred with only fully charged batteries. And I have not figured out which battery bank powers the slides...and I have watched the voltage on the battery meter near the switches and cannot discern any significant draw down when they are running.

As others have said, none of the slides on my unit will work with the ignition key on...so I either have to be on shore power or generator. And although I see this as a best practice, especially with the hydraulic units, I am wondering how high the draw could be, especially if it does not significantly show up on the battery meter. I would hope the slides would utilize the house batteries as they are a larger bank to draw from, but if they were fully charged, especially lithium's, I really can't see why they wouldn't be able to run the slides without AC power.

I welcome thoughts.

All my slides work off the chassis batteries and I can see a drawdown on the gauge. Seems like it would be much better to run all the slides off my 8 house batteries but I guess Newmar is afraid we might run the house batteries down when not hooked up to shore power. Again trying to protect us dummies I suppose.

 

[Richpatty]

Thanks. I will look closer next time….

 

[DavidL]

I would think the safety rules should be something like:
Slide cannot operate unless powertrain is in Neutral and zero MPH.
Slide cannot operate unless whatever seat is in it's way is moved out of the way.
Slide cannot be operated if baggage doors are in the way (where applicable).
Slide SHOULD be operated when motor is running (for Voltage). Gentle reminder that that is best strategy but can be moved anyway.
Slide SHOULD be operated only when the rig is level and not twisted (but this can be manually overridden with appropriate cautions).
Warning if awning is out if Slide is attempted to be moved (in / out).
Slide operates after appropriate verbal / visual warning that it will move.
If Battery voltage is less than ~12V....warning but not a deal stopper.

Any other rules come to mind?

 

[Richpatty]

Good points… but hard to check all of them in an automated way.

Question. If the slides are run off the chassis battery and they want you to have it running on shore/gen when operating the slides, what if your house batteries are not fully charged… wouldn’t that prevent any charge from going to the chassis battery? I though the inverter/charter did not charge the chassis batteries until the house batteries are topped off. Or do I have that wrong?