Generator slide tray question

[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"
wrote:
>
> 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"
> wrote:
> >
> > 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
> >
>