>two microswitches that control the shut off of air to the step

[Jeff Miller]

Without knowing what year/model you have, it's a bit unknown.

Up until about '83 there was one microswitch. The step pulled in
until the microswitch (N.C.) was hit, which interrupted the 12v to
the step solenoid, the solenoid stopped supplying air to the retract
side of the step cylinder, and the step stopped. If it leaked down,
eventually the step would creep away from the microswitch and pull
the step back in again, ... worked okay.

In '83 the step system started changing. They added a second
microswitch so that when the step was all of the way out, the second
microswitch would interrupt the 12v to the step solenoid and the step
would stop moving. This works well if all switches and linkages are
working and adjusted properly. On these later steps the step
mechanism had an over-center position where the rotation of the step
mechanism would travel over-center and mechanically lock the step out
so that it would stay there without residual air pressure. A later
version (starting '84) has a second air cylinder which is Teed into
the retract side of the primary air cylinder. This second air
cylinder is essentially a spring-loaded lock-pin which is a secondary
lock to hold the step in the extended position, many don't lock
because the spring can't overcome the crud on the lock pin or it is
bent, usually easily repairable, ... When the step starts to retract,
the air goes to the retract side of the primary air cylinder and also
to the lock-pin cylinder, retracts the lock-pin and then the step.

There are a couple of different wiring diagrams / schematics also,
depending on the year of your coach and whether it has
been "upgraded" to the later method which many coaches have (via BB
or dealers). Some years the step light comes on with either a switch,
or if the step is in automatic mode it comes on with the door
opening/step extending.

Posting your year might help to determine which schematic ORIGINALLY
applied to your unit, but honestly I've found few coaches through the
mid-'80s that have the original wiring.

- Jeff Miller
in Holland, MI


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Jon" wrote:
>
> Could someone explain to me in simple terms how do these micro
> switches work? Both of these switches when push in cut out the
power
> to wherever? I think (I'm I write?)
>
> Now what I don't understand is when the steeps are in the out
> position and when I close the door the steeps just stay out. I
> changed out the push button switch on the door and I made sure the
> toggle switch that in that general area is in the up position and
the
> light are on in the steep well and the fluorescent light above is
on.
> But the steeps still stay in the open position.
>
> I really don't understand how these two micro switches work in
> conjunction with the action of the steeps being out? I can see how
> they would stop the travel of the steeps in the close position but
> not in the open.
>
> Is there away to test these two micro switches? I wish I had a
> blueprint of this circuit on the steeps as its like a rubik's cube
to
> me.
>
> Well anyway I have by passed whatever is wrong and can operated the
> steps by using a short piece of electrical wire and touch each wire
> that goes into the solenoid operated air direction vlv. They work
> great then.
>
> Any help would be greatly appreciated. Jon
>
> Oh yes one more question and that is? Should the entrance light
stay
> on when the door is open and turn oft when it closed? This also
does
> not happen now and their in lays the problem I think.
>