Generator slide tray question - Printable Version +- Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum (http://www.wanderlodgegurus.com) +-- Forum: Yahoo Groups Archive (/forumdisplay.php?fid=61) +--- Forum: WanderlodgeForum (/forumdisplay.php?fid=63) +--- Thread: Generator slide tray question (/showthread.php?tid=2275) |
Generator slide tray question - davidkerryedwards - 03-25-2006 06:18 Today while removing the doghouse to insulate, I decided to air up the coach and slide out the generator. I have not done this before. I don't know what the original locking mechanism was, but on mine two holes have been cut through the outer rails which support the generator and nuts welded to the inner rail that slides. A half inch bolt then inserts on either side, screws into place and holds the generator in place. While it was airing up, I removed the bolts. The air topped off while I was doing something else and when I went back to the generator it was out about 2 inches. It might have come out all the way of its own accord, but the left hand latching nut caught on the lip of the outer rail, stopping it from coming out any further. (I'll have to do a little grinding to stop the nut from catching) I couldn't get any movement either by using the switch to the left of the step, or the key in the generator panel door. Can anyone enlighten me as to what is going on? I assume it should not have moved until a switch was activated, but it looks as though it has a tendency to come out as soon as the coach is aired up. The bolts must have been holding it in place. I know I have problems with the step switch, right next to the generator switch so perhaps the problems are related. The step started operating correctly for a while on my trip to Texas this week, but then went back to its old malfunctioning self. Will the generator slide back in once the air pressure drops, or will I have to diagnose and rectify the problem in order to get it to slide back in the 2 inches? How fast does the generator come out? The coach is in storage with a fifth wheel in the next parking space. The though crossed my mind that if I had not been paying attention and standing next to the generator, it could have pinned me between the generator and the adjacent trailer. when it came out of it's own accord. Kerry 82 FC35 Denver Generator slide tray question - Mike Hohnstein - 03-25-2006 06:35 Gotta watch them birds, they will kill you. I bought a coach from a widow woman in Seattle, bird rolled on the old boy, he had the rear axle off the ground with the levelers. Didn't block the front tires, his body become the wheel chock. MH ----- Original Message ----- From: davidkerryedwards To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com Sent: Saturday, March 25, 2006 12:18 PM Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Generator slide tray question Today while removing the doghouse to insulate, I decided to air up the coach and slide out the generator. I have not done this before. I don't know what the original locking mechanism was, but on mine two holes have been cut through the outer rails which support the generator and nuts welded to the inner rail that slides. A half inch bolt then inserts on either side, screws into place and holds the generator in place. While it was airing up, I removed the bolts. The air topped off while I was doing something else and when I went back to the generator it was out about 2 inches. It might have come out all the way of its own accord, but the left hand latching nut caught on the lip of the outer rail, stopping it from coming out any further. (I'll have to do a little grinding to stop the nut from catching) I couldn't get any movement either by using the switch to the left of the step, or the key in the generator panel door. Can anyone enlighten me as to what is going on? I assume it should not have moved until a switch was activated, but it looks as though it has a tendency to come out as soon as the coach is aired up. The bolts must have been holding it in place. I know I have problems with the step switch, right next to the generator switch so perhaps the problems are related. The step started operating correctly for a while on my trip to Texas this week, but then went back to its old malfunctioning self. Will the generator slide back in once the air pressure drops, or will I have to diagnose and rectify the problem in order to get it to slide back in the 2 inches? How fast does the generator come out? The coach is in storage with a fifth wheel in the next parking space. The though crossed my mind that if I had not been paying attention and standing next to the generator, it could have pinned me between the generator and the adjacent trailer. when it came out of it's own accord. Kerry 82 FC35 Denver ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS a.. Visit your group "WanderlodgeForum" on the web. b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: WanderlodgeForum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Generator slide tray question - Gary Miller - 03-25-2006 09:04 Kerry, Sounds like you have a few issues there. The locking method you describe is certainly not original, and by the description it sounds like someone went to a lot more trouble getting it set up that way than it would have been to fix whatever problem they had with it correctly. This unfortunately is common in our older birds since the systems are often difficult for most maintenance facilities to understand. You should have a handle under the tray that when moved causes a metal bar on each side of the tray to move either into, or out of the slide on each side of the tray. Perhaps the welded nuts you describe have been welded into these holes. I would speculate that someone sheared off the previous mechanism and this was their 'fix'. When the handle is moved, the mechanism would also activate a switch. This switch would cause illumination of the red 'gen door' light on your dashboard, and activate the gen slide switch in the stepwell, which normally remains de-powered with the tray locked. The fact that your tray is in a constant state of wanting to come out leads me to believe the shuttle valve on the air ram is in the out position and either has the wiring cut to it or is powered in that position only. You'll have to trouble shoot it yourself. The speed of in/out is adjustable and is controlled by this shuttle valve also so it's impossible to speculate at what setting it is at for your coach. My tray is different than yours but perhaps someone with a 35' can get a photo of what you need to build to get back to normal. Good Luck, Gary Miller 83 FC 33 Wauwatosa, WI --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davidkerryedwards" > > Today while removing the doghouse to insulate, I decided to air up the > coach and slide out the generator. I have not done this before. I > don't know what the original locking mechanism was, but on mine two > holes have been cut through the outer rails which support the > generator and nuts welded to the inner rail that slides. A half inch > bolt then inserts on either side, screws into place and holds the > generator in place. > While it was airing up, I removed the bolts. The air topped off while > I was doing something else and when I went back to the generator it > was out about 2 inches. It might have come out all the way of its own > accord, but the left hand latching nut caught on the lip of the outer > rail, stopping it from coming out any further. (I'll have to do a > little grinding to stop the nut from catching) > I couldn't get any movement either by using the switch to the left of > the step, or the key in the generator panel door. > Can anyone enlighten me as to what is going on? I assume it should > not have moved until a switch was activated, but it looks as though it > has a tendency to come out as soon as the coach is aired up. The > bolts must have been holding it in place. > I know I have problems with the step switch, right next to the > generator switch so perhaps the problems are related. The step > started operating correctly for a while on my trip to Texas this week, > but then went back to its old malfunctioning self. > Will the generator slide back in once the air pressure drops, or will > I have to diagnose and rectify the problem in order to get it to slide > back in the 2 inches? > How fast does the generator come out? The coach is in storage with a > fifth wheel in the next parking space. The though crossed my mind > that if I had not been paying attention and standing next to the > generator, it could have pinned me between the generator and the > adjacent trailer. when it came out of it's own accord. > > Kerry > 82 FC35 > Denver > Generator slide tray question - davidkerryedwards - 03-25-2006 10:16 Thanks. I can see the remnants of the system you describe and concluded it must have been the original one. There are no slots for the rods to engage on the old mechanism. I'll have to do some troubleshooting. The modified lock system is pretty easy since the bolts are out near the end of the slide track. I'll have to figure out what has happened with the wiring related to the old system and go from there. I'm betting whatever is causing lack of power to the step is also causing lack of power to the generator slide switch. Am I correct in thinking that the switch or key controls the mechanism in such a way that you can stop it in a variety of positions on the way out. In other words, it's not a strictly in/out all the way system? Kerry 82 FC 35 Denver --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gary Miller" > > Kerry, > > Sounds like you have a few issues there. The locking method you > describe is certainly not original, and by the description it sounds > like someone went to a lot more trouble getting it set up that way > than it would have been to fix whatever problem they had with it > correctly. This unfortunately is common in our older birds since > the systems are often difficult for most maintenance facilities to > understand. > > You should have a handle under the tray that when moved causes a > metal bar on each side of the tray to move either into, or out of > the slide on each side of the tray. Perhaps the welded nuts you > describe have been welded into these holes. I would speculate that > someone sheared off the previous mechanism and this was their 'fix'. > > When the handle is moved, the mechanism would also activate a > switch. This switch would cause illumination of the red 'gen door' > light on your dashboard, and activate the gen slide switch in the > stepwell, which normally remains de-powered with the tray locked. > > The fact that your tray is in a constant state of wanting to come > out leads me to believe the shuttle valve on the air ram is in the > out position and either has the wiring cut to it or is powered in > that position only. You'll have to trouble shoot it yourself. The > speed of in/out is adjustable and is controlled by this shuttle > valve also so it's impossible to speculate at what setting it is at > for your coach. > > My tray is different than yours but perhaps someone with a 35' can > get a photo of what you need to build to get back to normal. > > Good Luck, > > Gary Miller > 83 FC 33 > Wauwatosa, WI > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davidkerryedwards" > > > > > Today while removing the doghouse to insulate, I decided to air up > the > > coach and slide out the generator. I have not done this before. I > > don't know what the original locking mechanism was, but on mine two > > holes have been cut through the outer rails which support the > > generator and nuts welded to the inner rail that slides. A half > inch > > bolt then inserts on either side, screws into place and holds the > > generator in place. > > While it was airing up, I removed the bolts. The air topped off > while > > I was doing something else and when I went back to the generator it > > was out about 2 inches. It might have come out all the way of its > own > > accord, but the left hand latching nut caught on the lip of the > outer > > rail, stopping it from coming out any further. (I'll have to do a > > little grinding to stop the nut from catching) > > I couldn't get any movement either by using the switch to the left > of > > the step, or the key in the generator panel door. > > Can anyone enlighten me as to what is going on? I assume it should > > not have moved until a switch was activated, but it looks as > though it > > has a tendency to come out as soon as the coach is aired up. The > > bolts must have been holding it in place. > > I know I have problems with the step switch, right next to the > > generator switch so perhaps the problems are related. The step > > started operating correctly for a while on my trip to Texas this > week, > > but then went back to its old malfunctioning self. > > Will the generator slide back in once the air pressure drops, or > will > > I have to diagnose and rectify the problem in order to get it to > slide > > back in the 2 inches? > > How fast does the generator come out? The coach is in storage > with a > > fifth wheel in the next parking space. The though crossed my mind > > that if I had not been paying attention and standing next to the > > generator, it could have pinned me between the generator and the > > adjacent trailer. when it came out of it's own accord. > > > > Kerry > > 82 FC35 > > Denver > > > Generator slide tray question - Gary Miller - 03-25-2006 13:15 Correct. The step is not likely related to the slide. Check and clean the switch in the door frame and look for abandoned wiring from where a pressure sensing strip used to be along the bottom edge of the coach body under the door. It was to prevent the step from squashing stuff but worked poorly, cap off the wires if it's there. You've got a short somewhere. Could be the dash switch or the stepwell switch but these switches are protected form the elements. Be very careful where you place your body and limbs when working on step stuff. Good Luck, Gary Miller 83 FC 33 Wauwatosa, WI --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davidkerryedwards" > > Thanks. I can see the remnants of the system you describe and > concluded it must have been the original one. There are no slots for > the rods to engage on the old mechanism. I'll have to do some > troubleshooting. The modified lock system is pretty easy since the > bolts are out near the end of the slide track. I'll have to figure > out what has happened with the wiring related to the old system and go > from there. I'm betting whatever is causing lack of power to the step > is also causing lack of power to the generator slide switch. > Am I correct in thinking that the switch or key controls the mechanism > in such a way that you can stop it in a variety of positions on the > way out. In other words, it's not a strictly in/out all the way system? > > Kerry > 82 FC 35 > Denver > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gary Miller" > > > > > Kerry, > > > > Sounds like you have a few issues there. The locking method you > > describe is certainly not original, and by the description it sounds > > like someone went to a lot more trouble getting it set up that way > > than it would have been to fix whatever problem they had with it > > correctly. This unfortunately is common in our older birds since > > the systems are often difficult for most maintenance facilities to > > understand. > > > > You should have a handle under the tray that when moved causes a > > metal bar on each side of the tray to move either into, or out of > > the slide on each side of the tray. Perhaps the welded nuts you > > describe have been welded into these holes. I would speculate that > > someone sheared off the previous mechanism and this was their 'fix'. > > > > When the handle is moved, the mechanism would also activate a > > switch. This switch would cause illumination of the red 'gen door' > > light on your dashboard, and activate the gen slide switch in the > > stepwell, which normally remains de-powered with the tray locked. > > > > The fact that your tray is in a constant state of wanting to come > > out leads me to believe the shuttle valve on the air ram is in the > > out position and either has the wiring cut to it or is powered in > > that position only. You'll have to trouble shoot it yourself. The > > speed of in/out is adjustable and is controlled by this shuttle > > valve also so it's impossible to speculate at what setting it is at > > for your coach. > > > > My tray is different than yours but perhaps someone with a 35' can > > get a photo of what you need to build to get back to normal. > > > > Good Luck, > > > > Gary Miller > > 83 FC 33 > > Wauwatosa, WI > > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davidkerryedwards" > > > > > > > > Today while removing the doghouse to insulate, I decided to air up > > the > > > coach and slide out the generator. I have not done this before. I > > > don't know what the original locking mechanism was, but on mine two > > > holes have been cut through the outer rails which support the > > > generator and nuts welded to the inner rail that slides. A half > > inch > > > bolt then inserts on either side, screws into place and holds the > > > generator in place. > > > While it was airing up, I removed the bolts. The air topped off > > while > > > I was doing something else and when I went back to the generator it > > > was out about 2 inches. It might have come out all the way of its > > own > > > accord, but the left hand latching nut caught on the lip of the > > outer > > > rail, stopping it from coming out any further. (I'll have to do a > > > little grinding to stop the nut from catching) > > > I couldn't get any movement either by using the switch to the left > > of > > > the step, or the key in the generator panel door. > > > Can anyone enlighten me as to what is going on? I assume it should > > > not have moved until a switch was activated, but it looks as > > though it > > > has a tendency to come out as soon as the coach is aired up. The > > > bolts must have been holding it in place. > > > I know I have problems with the step switch, right next to the > > > generator switch so perhaps the problems are related. The step > > > started operating correctly for a while on my trip to Texas this > > week, > > > but then went back to its old malfunctioning self. > > > Will the generator slide back in once the air pressure drops, or > > will > > > I have to diagnose and rectify the problem in order to get it to > > slide > > > back in the 2 inches? > > > How fast does the generator come out? The coach is in storage > > with a > > > fifth wheel in the next parking space. The though crossed my mind > > > that if I had not been paying attention and standing next to the > > > generator, it could have pinned me between the generator and the > > > adjacent trailer. when it came out of it's own accord. > > > > > > Kerry > > > 82 FC35 > > > Denver > > > > > > |