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Generator Slid Out

Yahoo Message Number: 79906
I have 2003 Magna Haven (sorry I don't have the number available right now). Last week wife and I were on a trip and at out first stop sign I applied the brakes at only about 10 mph. There was a tremendous noise and then a bang. We quickly exited the coach and discovered the generator had slid all the way forward and hit the stops. I got underneath and discovered the gearbox for the gen slide had come apart at its seam.
For one thing this looks like a poor design as I can't find a mechanical latch that holds the genset in and the motor/gearbox just doesn't look stout enough to do the job especially bouncing and jolting down the highway. I read my manuals and according to them the switch that drives my gen in and out is really supposed to be a latch/unlatch. Is it possible mine was altered either at the factory or by a previous owner?
At any rate, I was able to secure the genset back in with a couple of heavy ratchet straps and the rest of the trip was uneventful.
Anyone have any experience with this? What am I looking at for repairs? Am I indeed supposed to have a mechanical latch to hold th genset in place?

Thanks,

Jerry Kirby

Re: Generator Slid Out

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79911
Jerry,

I could be wrong, but on your vintage coach, the electric "in/out" was only on the Affinity. I would say someone modified the original system and installed a motor. On my Magna, the spring loaded switch releases the latch and you manually pull out the generator. You push the generator in and it latches in place. The automatic systems I have seen have a heavy duty motor and a worm gear to send the generator out and to bring it in. I have never seen any type of failure. A tech such as Kevin Waite should be able to advise you.

Fred '01 Magna #5983

Re: Generator Slid Out

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79924
I pulled the whole broken assembly out = only one bolt on each end. The unit is made by Warner Electric.
I looked very hard but couldn't find any sign of a latch ever having been installed.
Need to weigh options as to what to go back with. Would really like some type of mechanical lock regardless.

Re: Generator Slid Out

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79931
Jerry,

Unfortunately there was a recall for this precise problem. Yours must have missed the fix. Below is the wording from the NHTSA recall data base.

Make: COUNTRY COACH   Model: MAGNA
Model Year: 2003

Manufacturer: COUNTRY COACH INC   Mfr's Report Date: JUN 12, 2002 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 02V164000   NHTSA Action Number: N/A Component: EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

Summary:

ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH SLIDE-OUT GENERATORS, CERTAIN GENERATOR SLIDE-OUT BALL SCREW ACTUATOR BRAKE HOLDING COMPONENTS ARE DEFECTIVE. THE BRAKE MAY NOT ALLOW THE ACTUATOR TO HOLD THE LOAD IN POSITION WITH THE POWER OFF. THE AMOUNT THE LOAD MAY MOVE CAN VARY AND IN SOME CASES THE ACTUATOR MAY NOT HOLD AT ALL. THESE ACTUATORS ARE USED TO CONTROL THE MOVEMENT OF THE SLIDE-OUT GENERATOR MOUNTED IN THE FRONT OF THE MOTOR HOMES.
Consequence:

THE FAILURE OF THE ACTUATOR TO HOLD THE GENERATOR IN POSITION COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH AND/OR INJURY TO A PEDESTRIAN.
Remedy:

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACTUATOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 19, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT COUNTRY COACH AT 1-800-452-8015.
Notes:

ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Good luck.

George in Birmingham
'03 Magna 6298
George in Birmingham
2003 Magna 6298
 

Re: Generator Slid Out

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79933
My 2003 Magna Resort 42' #6240 has a fully-powered generator in/out mechanism with the switch in the electrical bay under the driver. I have never had a problem such as yours. I remember our '95 Magna had a spring-loaded locking mechanism which simply locked the generator in place, and I manually pulled it out and pushed it back in. I am glad someone posted the recall notice, as I will check mine and possibly add a positive (low-tech) mechanical locking device to prevent any accidental rollout.
D. Jarrett