Newmar slide activation idiosyncrasies

[DavidL]

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?

Not that hard
First the rules,
Then the sensors
Then the wiring
Then the programming logic
Then the user interface
Done.

 

[J&JD]

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?

Chassis batteries always charge first.

 

[Richpatty]

Chassis batteries always charge first.

If the Inverter/charger is directly hooked to the house batteries, how could that be true?

 

[Old-RV'er]

All - RTFM - Newmar has at least two different procedures for slide operation. The correct one is in the Owner's manual for your unit. Do it that way, or you might damage a system/slide and be stuck.

For mine, coach is at ride height, (air bags full), plugged into Shore Power or Generator Running. Engine OFF, Ignition OFF, extend slides (all electric motors), then turn on ignition switch to ON/or ACC then turn on levelers switch, choose auto level, stop auto level (mine always raises up front end so high BH cannot reach 1st step), so I cancel AL and manually level coach with buttons. Once level, ignition off. I because of slide over services bay, put out fresh water/sewer hose first, once done with that do above. RTFM.

 

[djnash]

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.

Been there and it is a sick feeling

 

[AbdRahim]

I though the inverter/charter did not charge the chassis batteries until the house batteries are topped off. Or do I have that wrong?

That is my understanding. Running the engine charges the chassis battery directly.

I will have towatch the metter next time I extend slides. Each model coach may be different, but I assumed the slides would operate off of the larger chassis battery bank.

 

[jagpot]

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?

Mine is setup like yours. I was also told that you should never start the engine while on shore power and you must be at "ride height" to move slide in or out.

 

[jagpot]

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?

Slide cannot operate after 2 martini's or 3 Bourbons.

 

[Rd1]

Newmar slides have had different variation over the years, however, at some point they converted all slides to operate (open and close) with engine running (2020??). This method offers the best option to ensure sufficient power available for slide ops.

The elec slide motors require sufficient AMPs to operate. they are mostly ok. However, the HWH FWS must have sufficient Voltage to operate properly. It operates even with chassis batt below 12 v. However, it "may" not fully extend. Though, it will open. When attempting to close, the HWH FWS may run into the main floor. That is why IT IS ABSOLUTLY essential to ensure the chassis batt is charging and can sustain 12+V during the entire HWH FWS ops.

Next time you operate the HWH FWS, observe the chassis batt. You'll notice it'll drop the V considerably, depending on the health of your chassis batts.

 

[ARD]

All my slides will go in/out with engine running. I've noticed that I will connect to shore power when tech at Newmar brings coach back to the campground and he idles the engine high when bringing out the slides. I tried that and have to say, I think they go out smoother that way.

 

[Rd1]

connecting to shore power is ok. however, if your chassis batt is charged already, the batt will not be under charge.. the HWH-FWS requires somewhere around 1.5V to operate. If chassis batt is at 13, when operating the hwh fws, the chassis batt will drop under 12v. Thas when you MAY create problem with the hwh fws open/close. (low Voltage may not move the slide fast enough or far enough, in some cases) You can wait till the charge kicks in. newmar techs used to tell us (older units) to turn head lights on till the chassis charge kicks in. Running the engine is much better, as the chassis batt will be under charge all along.

 

[DavidL]

Slide cannot operate after 2 martini's or 3 Bourbons.

Are you saying you have to blow into the breathalyzer to move your slide?

 

[Jabber Jaw]

Had an issue where the drivers slide would not come "In".
Contacted Newmar Service Support. The "Rep" walked me through a check & swap of the controller connections.
BUT, he then had me check the battery charge. It was showing 12.6, he then told me to start the coach & let it run for a few minutes. I did, batteries went to 12.8, and slide worked perfectly.
He stated that the batteries must show 12.75 or higher for the slide motors to work properly.
MORAL of the STORY: Check "VOLTAGE" first!

 

[Gizmo]

@J&JD My slides operate the same as yours and when I mention it on another forum about 3 years ago I was told I didn't what I was I was talking about. We added that to the list of problems when we visited Newmar Service and were told that is the way they operate on my coach a 2017 Ventana LE (Less Expensive). The tech told us not to operate the full wall side unless we had at least 13.6 volts showing on the gauge. The tech said to either run the engine, plug on to shore power or start the generator in that order to provide 13.6 volts to the full wall slide. He also said if you can get the charge to chassis batteries turn on the headlights. Turn off the engine for the other two slides.

We also deploy slides while on the airbags prior to deploying jacks per the letter we got from Newmar and info we got from the Nemar tech.

PS I should also mention not to deploy sides without checking the reveal of the full wall side.

 

[DavidL]

Wouldn't it be nice if the expensive RV had a somewhat intelligent system that TELLS you that the battery voltage is too low to open the slides or that the RV is twisted / inclined too much etc. instead of you having to guess and schedule a service appointment telling you that fact? and / or gunshot a bunch of expensive parts because they don't understand how it really works?

In the FCA auto world, I called that system "In Vehicle Help". Not sure today what the production name is...I suspect it is a very watered down version of what it could have been...

 

[jagpot]

Are you saying you have to blow into the breathalyzer to move your slide?

Well.......... I'm just saying that I have been known to have 2 Martini's and break into the Electric Slide!!!