slides not extending (yes, I have been in search) battery?

[farmerbk]

All
got our Montana out today, as kids and grandkids will arrive in about 10 days and was getting it set up.


lowered jacks, and autoleveled.... everything ok
extend wardrobe and kitchen slides... everything ok


tried to extend the hydraulic room slides (there are 3 slides on this) and I hear the pump kick in, thing seem to start... but won't extend. battery drops to low 11's on voltage when engaged, but goes back to 14.1 when I let go of panel (incommand system) Also, the fan will kick on in the fuse panel near the floor of the incommand when I hold onto the extend/out icon for more than 20 seconds or so... so everything seems to "want" to work...


would a low battery cause this? I can put a set of jumper cables to the battery next to the pump if this will let me get the slides extended.


I did use the search function, but most answers seemed to deal with the pump not pumping or a bad breaker (the 50/80 amp breakers). the pump has to be working or the jacks would not extend and autolevel (I think) or am I missing something.


Thanks

Bryon

[Carl n Susan]

I am just guessing here, but the battery dropping to 11V and converter fan kicking in sure sounds like a bad battery. The return to 14V after releasing the button is the converter trying to max charge the dead battery? This doesn't explain why the jacks and AutoLevel work though.

Jumper cables should help if it is the battery. Have it load tested would be another idea.

[farmerbk]

tried the jumper cables... voltage stays up, but not much extending.... I can hear the motor run. put my hand on the pump motor, and it gets hot... not sure how hot it gets when operating normally.


have not had slide problems so not sure what is up.... here is where I am at currently. sorry about the sideways pix... not sure how to rotate


insights welcome!!
bryon

[Carl n Susan]

Is it possible someone turned off the valves that control each slide out? They are in the panel with the Level Up control pad.

The other possibility is the Hydac valves (which I don't understand but others here do) are not opening up?

[Daryles]

If the pump motor is working, AND you still have hydraulic fluid in the tank after putting down the jacks, I would suspect the switch.
Try Mashing down HARD on the slide switch.

[BB_TX]

Pump kicking in, voltage dropping, motor getting hot, all point to hydraulic valve(s) not opening to allow fluid flow. Motor is being overloaded trying to pump fluid with no place for it to go. Motor not turning at design rpms will pull more amps than normal, and too many amps can cause voltage drop.

[farmerbk]

As noted in a couple of the later responses.... the valves were shut off.


I did not shut them, but they must have been closed when we had our unit serviced after we got back from Texas in January....


sometimes it is the little things...


Thank you all again for taking time to respond and trying to help!
bryon

[BB_TX]

Glad it was something simple and no costs to correct.

[RMcNeal]

Well I'm glad for you that it was something simple, but I'm also surprised that they moved even the little bit in your pics with the valve closed. I didn't think that was supposed to happen.

[Speck56]

Originally Posted by Carl n Susan

I am just guessing here, but the battery dropping to 11V and converter fan kicking in sure sounds like a bad battery. The return to 14V after releasing the button is the converter trying to max charge the dead battery? This doesn't explain why the jacks and AutoLevel work though.

Jumper cables should help if it is the battery. Have it load tested would be another idea.

one issue I've had is the slide locking on one side. Check screws behind the rubber molding. If 1 backs out, your stuck