Slide-Electrical Issue

[Mcfeeley]

I have a 2018 33SAB Cougar TT XLite. Three slides. Putting them in at the end of summer, two were responding intermittently but eventually came in. The switch on the final one did not respond. Plugged into shore power. Battery disconnect off. Batteries are two 6 volt flooded purchased this spring. Tested separately, and under load, were fine. None of the switches are moving the motors. Hooked up power from my tow vehicle and the slides came in and out fine. All the other 12 volt appliances, and lights, have been working fine. Landing gear worked fine, but I didn’t take a chance and was powered by the tow vehicle. Thoughts would be appreciated.

[chuckster57]

How did you test the batteries?

[flybouy]

If it works via the TV connection then it leads me to think it's a voltage issue with the batteries. Like Chuck asked, how did you check the batteries? Are all battery cable connections good, i.e. no corrosion? Good ground on the frame? I'd replace the 12vdc auto reset circuit breaker as well.

[Mcfeeley]

Disconnected them and checked them individually with the handheld load tester. Connections look good and water is filled.

[flybouy]

When you said "battery disconnect turned off" , does that mean the batteries are off? Disconnect shore power and see if 12vdc lights etc work.

[Mcfeeley]

The batteries are on. Does the converter play a role in powering the slide motors?

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by Mcfeeley

Disconnected them and checked them individually with the handheld load tester. Connections look good and water is filled.

How long did you hold the “test” button? What was the reading?

The converter charges the batteries, it’s not intended to be used to operate the slides.

At this point I would use a hygrometer and test each cell.

[Mcfeeley]

Thanks. I’ll keep concentrating on a battery issue. I would think I would get some initial movement of a slide out when I press the toggle switch. But nothing. It will be a couple of days before I’m able to get at it. I’ll post the results of the cell testing.

[Mcfeeley]

Well, I replaced my batteries with a new AGM. Still no response when I toggle the switches.

[Mcfeeley]

Originally Posted by flybouy

If it works via the TV connection then it leads me to think it's a voltage issue with the batteries. Like Chuck asked, how did you check the batteries? Are all battery cable connections good, i.e. no corrosion? Good ground on the frame? I'd replace the 12vdc auto reset circuit breaker as well.

Do you know where Keystone puts the slide resettable circuit breakers? Is there one for each slide or one master breaker? Are they by the individual motors?

[chuckster57]

The slide circuit breakers are usually near the battery.

[Mcfeeley]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

The slide circuit breakers are usually near the battery.

Thanks. I replaced my two 6volt batteries with a 31 AGM 12volt. The cells in the 6 volts were reading fair to good with a hydrometer. Still no response on any of the three switches. When I hooked it up to the tow vehicle they run fine. Does the power from the tow vehicle bypass the resettable circuit breakers?

[chuckster57]

Not as far as I know. It depends on if the resetting breaker is before or after the junction box.

[Mcfeeley]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Not as far as I know. It depends on if the resetting breaker is before or after the junction box.

I found two circuit breakers attached to the frame below the battery. It appears they are before the junction box. Which may be the reason that charging from the TV bypasses a faulty circuit breaker. I couldn’t see what the amperage was of the circuit breakers. Do I take a chance by ordering 30a breakers to replace them? The converter is producing 13.6 volts at the 12v bus. So the converter seems fine.

[chuckster57]

You can order 30A and when replacing them, if you find a 40A you can keep the other 30 as a spare.

[Mcfeeley]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

You can order 30A and when replacing them, if you find a 40A you can keep the other 30 as a spare.

I finally got the time to replace the resettable circuit breakers on the inside of the frame near the battery. A 50 amp and a 30 amp. I first replaced the 50 amp, but the old one passed continuity. Next I removed the 30 amp and it didn’t pass continuity. Replaced it and now the slides work fine without having to run off the TV. Cleaned up all the electrical connections including the ground. Thanks for your help.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by Mcfeeley

I finally got the time to replace the resettable circuit breakers on the inside of the frame near the battery. A 50 amp and a 30 amp. I first replaced the 50 amp, but the old one passed continuity. Next I removed the 30 amp and it didn’t pass continuity. Replaced it and now the slides work fine without having to run off the TV. Cleaned up all the electrical connections including the ground. Thanks for your help.

Thanks for following up on this thread. Will be a good primer for the next guy running into what you did. I didn't like the "fair to good" reading with the hydrometer. I am a motorcycle mechanic and have used a hydrometer many times. The little ones (think eye dropper) that can get into the small cell openings on a bike battery read "fair" or less than good mean the cell is sulfating and the battery will not be long for this earth. Perhaps invest in a charger that has a restore or repair function? Anyway, glad you have it sorted.