Question Electric Steps Stopped Working

[flyboy013]

Late to the game, but have you pulled the motor off yet? I believe its just 3 bolts (don't loose the spacers). The motor is easy to test. Just jumper the two wire connector to a 12V battery. Doesn't matter which is positive and negative. One way will run the motor in one direction and the other will run it in the other direction. Just use some alligator clips to hook up to a 12V battery.

As for the controller, the one I bought off of Amazon came with the other half of the 4 pin connector which made it easy to test the existing controller. Just apply 12V and/or ground according to the troublelshooting manual.

I bought a controller off of Amazon and found that the override function did perform correctly. It retracted the steps when the engine was started but did not extend when I opened the door. Anyway, just make sure you thoroughly test after installation.

 

[BigRig]

Thanks for the tips!
Curious what you did after you found out the controller from Amazon did not function properly? Did you purchase one from Kwikee/Lippert?

 

[BigRig]

I'm always happy to hang out and talk rv stuff. Sorry, I do not remember how long it took for the part to arrive. One motor ( I have ordered a couple of them) I used to replace a friends motor...and he just ordered one and shipped it to my home. Never know what kind of parts a few Newmars parked nearby might have.

Charles,
Switching Gears On You!
While I am waiting on parts I wanted to get your input on another issue.
Last night I saw a photo, on Facebook, of a terrible RV accident. There were actually several photos of an RV that was blown to smithereens. The accompany story was the campers were experiencing some trouble lighting their gas stovetop. Which made me think of something the previous owner of my coach told me. His story was his family came back to the RV after being out for a while and one of the stovetop knobs had gotten bumped to the on position on the way out. The coach was filled with propane. I asked, "you mean there is no thermocouple?" He said no. Just does not seem like Newmar would not have some type of built-in safety mechanism to keep this from happening? I have not researched it and just keep my gas off. Thoughts?

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

When we leave our rig, we turn off both water and propane to avoid any potential issues from water damage or gas leaks.

 

[BigRig]

When we leave our rig, we turn off both water and propane to avoid any potential issues from water damage or gas leaks.

Sounds like a sound practice. Thanks!

 

[flyboy013]

Thanks for the tips!
Curious what you did after you found out the controller from Amazon did not function properly? Did you purchase one from Kwikee/Lippert?

I made it work good enough. I ended up adding a relay so that when it sensed the correct condition in the override or door wire, it would open or close or whatever I needed. It was a few years ago, so I don’t recall the exact configuration. The change was on the controller side of the 4 pin connector, so if I ever have to change the controller again, the changes I made will be removed along with the old controller.

 

[BigRig]

I made it work good enough. I ended up adding a relay so that when it sensed the correct condition in the override or door wire, it would open or close or whatever I needed. It was a few years ago, so I don’t recall the exact configuration. The change was on the controller side of the 4 pin connector, so if I ever have to change the controller again, the changes I made will be removed along with the old controller.

 

[BigRig]

Got it!
Thanks

 

[Chuggs]

Our Ventana is all electric. However, we do carry a gallon sized propane cylinder for camp cooking. Our previous fifth wheel has propane.

It is NRVIA requirement to have a detector if propane is installed.

I believe only three things can save us.

Annual maintenance.
Pre and post trip checklists
LUCK!

Most of the ones I have seen online seemed to have winds blowing up the exhaust...or leaking dometic fridges operating on Propane. The refrigerant lines are filled with Ammonia, Hydrogen Gas, and a zinc chromate rust inhibitor. The hydrogen gas is most likely to release first if a line leaks or ruptures...and there would be an open flame very handy if operating on propane.

Most of today's valves have a built-in limit setting...at which time it sets a fuse and stops the flow of propane. This basically a protection if you have a burst line...causing excessive loss of gas.