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Power Gear Leveling System

Yahoo Message Number: 62025
I am having a problem with my Power Gear leveling system. As soon as I start coach to bring in slides the leveling systems releases and system start progressing to the travel position. The alarm beeps and all light flash on panel. I have re level the coach to get the slides in before I can leave.
Any suggestions? This has happened the last three times I am trying to leave. Power Gear does not have a customer service department with which to call that I have found.

Jock Vargo
2005 Inspire
51428

Currently in Osceola, IA

Re: Power Gear Leveling System

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62028
Is your tranny in natural and parking brake set? One time mine were not and the jacks retracted.

Walt

2004 Inspire

Re: Power Gear Leveling System

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62032
Am I missing something, your slides should stay out until your air bags are full and reached traveling height?

Re: Power Gear Leveling System

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62034
Yes, Tranny is in neutral, and brake is set.
The system is hydraulic and does not use the air bags for leveling. This system is not an air leveling system. You do need to dump the air out of the suspension air bags to allow the leveling system to hydraulically level the coach.
Power Gear's information claims it is very important to level coach before opening or closing slides.

Jock Vargo
2005 Inspire
51428

Re: Power Gear Leveling System

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62035
Jock,

I have experienced that problem many times and each time the problem was failure of the park brake switch. The park brake contacts complete a ground circuit for the operation of the power gear leveling system and the power gear slide motors. If the contacts fail to make a good ground these systems will fail to operate properly. If the park brake light on the dash flickers, more than likely the the contacts are not completing a solid ground circuit. With no good ground circuit, the leveling system will think that the park brake has been disengaged and will retract the power gear leveling system. You can test the park brake switch and the leveling system by running a ground wire from the switch to a good coach frame ground. Once the test ground wire is connected, you should be able to normally operate the leveling and slide systems without issues. The park brake switch is located just to the right side of the generator set. Open the generator compartment and locate a set of six air pressure switches. Three in a row on top and three more directly under the three on top. The park brake switch is located on the bottom row in the middle. The wire on the switch should be #21, that is where you need to connect the test ground wire. Don't worry about disconnecting the #21 wire from the switch the dc voltage is very low, less than 3 volts. Check the voltage just to make sure you have the correct wire.
Also when you park the coach make sure the front leveling jacks lift the rig at least three inches off the ground. If this is not done the leveling system will tend to auto-retract and sound the alarm.
I am now in the process of locating this bendix park brake switch as mine has failed for the second time. Tim, at specilty logistics is currently attempting to locate this switch for me.
If you need additional help with your leveling system issue please give me a call and I will attempt to walk you through the steps.
I agree with you, the power gear people are not customer friendly. They give no customer support at all!

Thanks,

Jon Gullette

2004 Inspire #51008
Hm: 615-264-1694
Cell: 615-752-6130

Re: Power Gear Leveling System

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62036

Jock:

Mine does exactly the same thing - the system assumes that by starting the engine you are attempting to drive off without bringing the leveling jacks in first so t does it for you and raises hell to warn you.
This is one time violating the maxim that the engine should be running to bring in the slides be necessary. To avoid this problem I bring in the slides while still connected to shore power or bring them in without the engine running using battery power and immediately start the engine after finishing to recharge the batteries.
I don't know if this can be reprogrammed but I doubt it - -it is a safety issue with Power Gear.

Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178

Re: Power Gear Leveling System

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62040
Bob: Our Inspire (51442) does not do that. We can start the engine, bring in the slides while still levelled, and then retract the levelling legs.

Richard Owen '05 Inspire 51442

Re: Power Gear Leveling System

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62041
I agree with Jon. Our insire has never energised the powergear without my pushing retract. We start ours prior to doing anything when departing. Has your rig allways worked the way you describe our is this a new thing.

Rod

05 inspire 51473

Re: Power Gear Leveling System

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62050
This is a new thing. It has done it several times in the past, now it seems to do it every time we move.

Jock Vargo
2005 Inspire
51428

Re: Power Gear Leveling System

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62051

As far as I can remember it has always acted that way - panel goes nuts if engine is started and jacks are down.
"When all else fails - read the directions." I went to the Power Gear website (www.powergearus.com) There are multiple user manuals and I assume the ones there are the latest "guidance"; they seem to agree on the following:

When levelling the coach the engine should be running.
When retracting the jacks the instructions say the ignition should be on, it does not say the engine should be running.

The issue here is that lower operating voltage (jack motor stressed engine not running) dramatically increases the amperage draw so not running the engine puts a greater load on the batteries. The energy required to retract the jacks is much less than leveling so I doubt the engine running then is as important.
I have 6 wet cell golf cart style house batteries. I have seen no evidence of any damage or stress - yet. I also suspect this is more of an issue for slides which can draw beaucoup amps.
I cannot find anything that states whether the alarm should go off or not.

Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178

Re: Power Gear Leveling System

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 62053

FYI all I found this in a Winnebago branded Power Gear user manual.
Mode: Emergency Retract Indication: Audible alarm from touch pad, all lights are flashing, (if extended) jacks are retracting.
Cause: While the jacks are extended and the ignition is in the run position, the coach parking brake is disengaged OR low fluid in the reservoir.
Corrective Action: Engage park brake and make sure coach is not in gear while the jacks are down or while extending jacks. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. If problem persists, check the wiring of the neutral safety switch and/or the parking brake wire(s).
Improper wiring of the parking brake wire(s).
Since we are describing emergency retract with our parking brakes on already perhaps the previous post about defective parking brake switch is correct as a possible cause. This at least points to a wiring or similar cause.
It's still easy enough to work around or put the situation in the grin and bear it box.

Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178