Slider not working

[wilkie]

We just bought a 2014 16 TBS with a slide, there were issues with the slide at orientation, it went out at an angle, but was fixed before we left. It has been home for 2 weeks, I tried to open the slide yesterday with no sucess. The switch does not do anything when pushed, I checked the fuses and all are OK. There does not apear to be any manual open/close feature, and short of taking it back to the Dealer I'm not sure what the next step is, any help would be appreciated, Wilkie.

[charliem]

[font size="3"]You should definitely return to the dealer and make them demonstrate proper operation several times. Also demand to know what was wrong and what they did to fix it. Your symptoms could indicate anything from a loose connection to a faulty control module. You don't want slide troubles on the road.

I believe your slide is made by Schwintek, now owned by Lippert. Manual operation is possible, but it requires removing screws and motors and is complicated. Google Schwintek Slides for YouTube videos. If you travel with a laptop you can download the videos for reference even if you're out of internet range.
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[admin]

Is there a master power switch that needs to be on? I dont have a CL so I dont know all that much about the electronics but it definitely sounds like a lack of power for whatever reason. Obviously the list of possible causes could be much longer but I tend to stick with the simplest answer first

-Sean

[daplumbr]

I agree with simple answers first! Is the trailer plugged into shore power? I could just be a dead battery. Do other electrical things in the trailer work? Have you had the slide open at any time after you came home from the dealer? Did they show you the slide working at the dealer before you left? Double check the fuses. If the dealer was messing with a slide the went out crooked, I wonder if a fuse blew. They are no labeled on my 16TBS, so you'll have to look at them all again. On the 16 TBS the wiring to the back of the slide switch is accessible in the cabinet under the sink. The slide control module is behind the small access panel at the top of the wall immediately to the right of the bathroom door. It is not accessible with the slide in. I realize these are a lot of questions, but they are likely what the dealer will ask when you call them. 

[wilkie]

Thank you Charlie, Sean and Merlin for your helpful insight, a bad battery was the problem, brand new, the dealer replaced and everything is operating normally. Devora and I are going to take our first, commissioning trip in 2 week to Big Meadows in the Shenandoah National Park. We are excited, and are now confident it will be a good trip. This is our first trailer, we had only gone tent camping before, so you can imagine what a difference this will be. 

[daplumbr]

Looking forward to your trip report! We also had only tent camped before the Camplite. It's a really nice move.

[peislander]

Wilkie - Great that it is fixed. That must be quite a relief! Now you can focus on enjoying every moment of your first trip. I've seen pictures of Shenandoah National Park -- it looks very beautiful.

[whoofit]

Makes a good case for carrying spares of some of these parts. Does anyone do this? Seems as though it would be a real problem if the slider does not actuate properly on a trip unlike the lead screw ones that can be hand cranked out.

OP, glad to hear your problem is solved by simple means and the parts required were at hand.

[david]

I have viewed the videos of disconnecting the motor to manually push the slide back in place as well as a video troubleshooting the control box. There didn't seem to be any simple parts that would be worthwhile to carry.

But I would carry a 2x4" to wedge inside to keep the slider in after disconnecting the motors as the video shows. That will get you safely home.

David

[charliem]

[font size="3"]I agree with David on the spares and the 2x4. Due to procrastination I haven't done a dry run and haven't cut the 2x4, but I should. I do, however, have the videos downloaded to my laptop in case I need them when out of WiFi/cell coverage.
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[pinstriper]

We have Good Sam Roadside Assistance.

[montedtrotter1]

Extending Slide-out Room
1. Level the unit.
2. Verify the battery is fully charged and hooked up to the electrical system.
3. Remove the transit bars (if so equipped).
4. Press and hold the IN/OUT switch (Fig. 1B) in the OUT position until the room is fully extended and
stops moving.
NOTE: It is important to continue to press the slide-out switch for a few seconds after the room is fully
extended until the motor shuts off. The control will sense that the room has stopped and will shut
off the motor after a few seconds.
5. Release the switch, which will lock the room into position.
Retracting Slide-out Room
1. Verify the battery is fully charged and hooked-up to the electrical system.
2. Press and hold the IN/OUT switch (Fig. 1A) in the IN position until the room is fully retracted and stops
moving.
NOTE: It is important to continue to press the slide-out switch for a few seconds after the room is fully
retracted until the motor shuts off. The control will sense that the room has stopped and will shut
off the motor after a few seconds.
3. Release the switch, which will lock the room into position.
4. Install the transit bars (if so equipped).

[montedtrotter1]

Here is another comment from the Schwintek owners manual for LL owners with slides regarding synchronization of motors:

Resynchronizing the Slide-out Motors
3. Fully extend the slide room using the switch. Keep the switch engaged until the motors shut down on
their own.
4. Retract the room 1-2 inches.
5. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until both motors shut down at the same time. In many cases, two or three
repetitions are necessary to re-sync the system.
6. Fully extend and then retract the room. Again, always let the motors shut down on their own before
releasing the switch.