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Lippert Slideout "Sparking"

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custerhank

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Lippert Slideout "Sparking"
« on: June 19, 2024, 04:12:33 pm »
  On the last day of a recent 7 week trek from South Dakota to Maryland and back to visit family the inside rear top of the slide in our 2019 3100 emitted at least 2 sparks when opening the slide. I was outside when wife informed me..loudly. The following morning, when retracting the slide the same thing happened...she saw 2 or 3 sparks shooting sideways. There was no smell. From what I could see there is a small wire bundle next to the slide edge and no apparent burning. That bundle seems hard to get to but perhaps easier from outside. The weather was not conducive to outside checking and we returned home that day. We have not tried to open the slide again pending some feedback here and/or a reliable local RV tech.

  Anybody have this "sparking" on their slide? I am not an electrician, but seems a bare live wire might be contacting metal? Thanks for any thoughts. We are hoping to travel again soon but not before we isolate the problem.
« Last Edit: June 19, 2024, 06:25:33 pm by custerhank »
Hank & Joyce Whitney
Custer, SD
2019 PC Model 3100

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donc13

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Re: Lippert Slideout "Sparking"
« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2024, 07:24:57 am »
I am not sure when Phoenix changed the slide out mechanism from the original Lippert "swing out" to the newer versions.  On thekppert, all the wiring, motors and gearing was underneath the slide.  But, in any event, I would get that wiring bundle you see checked out.  I would suggest an RV dealer's shop because they *may* have to remove the slide to get to it.

I am sure that's not what you wanted to hear but it needs looked at by an RV Tech.

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Don and Patti

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mikeh

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Re: Lippert Slideout "Sparking"
« Reply #2 on: June 21, 2024, 10:49:32 am »
The 2019 PC's were using the Lippert Schwintek slides.  I believe that Hank is right on target with his thought that a bare spot on a wire is touching metal--likely in that "small wire bundle" he identified.  The slide system operates on 12-volts DC (from the house batteries), so we aren't talking about a 120-volt AC issue here, but it definitely should NOT be sparking.  The slide frame and RV chassis metal will be a ground potential, so if there is a bare spot on a powered wire or connection you will definitely get a "spark" when it touches metal during movement.  The circuit will be fused, so if the contact were to be solid/permanent, the fuse should blow preventing excessive current.  The two or three "sparks" indicate that the contact is momentary and transient.

I would think that the bare spot should be pretty easy to locate and remedy if you can get reasonable access to the wire bundle in that area.  As Don says though, if the slide has to come out to access the wiring that would usually mean using an RV service point for most of us.

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custerhank

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Re: Lippert Slideout "Sparking"
« Reply #3 on: July 17, 2024, 04:14:50 pm »
  I have a certified tech here and he says the issue is 110V, not 12V. We got a very large spark when we extended the slide. Got most all the wood panels and stuff off to trace it. Lots of screws! Seems to be related to wires impacting the steel facing that is between the slideout and the wall to the left where one twin bed is. There is an insulated/foam covered 1-2 inch area very hard to get too. I tried calling Phoenix with access questions but closed for the day.
Hank & Joyce Whitney
Custer, SD
2019 PC Model 3100

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mikeh

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Re: Lippert Slideout "Sparking"
« Reply #4 on: July 17, 2024, 09:31:42 pm »
If it is a 120-volt AC arc, it will not be the slide wiring.  The slide system is 12-volt DC powered.  There is AC wiring running in that area of course, so evidently the slide movement is still causing metal to contact either a bare spot on a wire, or a connection.  The AC circuit will still be protected by a breaker that should open if there were sustained contact and steady arcing.  Sounds like a tight spot to access.  I've been following the forum for a long while, and don't remember anyone ever reporting a similar problem.

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custerhank

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Re: Lippert Slideout "Sparking"
« Reply #5 on: July 18, 2024, 03:00:06 pm »
  I got a callback from Keith in Service at Phoenix this morning. He said they had not seen this sparking problem before. The good news is after several hours we finally found the problem. There is a metal fixed flange between the slideout on the right and the twin-bed bedroom wall on the left. Way down at the bottom underneath the metal flange is a wire bundle.with an apparently frayed wire which is contacting that flange when the slide moves. The wires actually pass under the metal flange and then go up a narrow channel between the metal flange and slide.So correct - not an actual slide issue since that is 12V. When the slide moves it seemingly creates enough vibration for the wire or wires to touch the adjacent metal flange. The tech did find some minor scorching down there.

 The bad news is this issue cannot be resolved without removing the slide due to wiring access. And both the technician and Phoenix said not to use the slide until the problem is fixed. The tech recommended a couple RV repair places in our area that might do this. If I cannot get a local repair and have to wait until Spring when we next visit our kids in Indiana and could go to the factory, am thinking we could use the slide on battery power before plugging in to shore if the batteries have enough juice. Not the best choice but would avoid the 110 volt issue. Any thoughts on that? I am not an electrician..obviously.

Thanks,

Hank
Hank & Joyce Whitney
Custer, SD
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CalCruiser

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Re: Lippert Slideout "Sparking"
« Reply #6 on: July 18, 2024, 04:50:44 pm »
If you are concerned about draining the batteries you can idle the engine  to supply 12v from the alternator for the slide motors. But turn off the inverter while extending and retracting the slide to be on the safe side.
Goin' where the wind goes...

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mikeh

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Re: Lippert Slideout "Sparking"
« Reply #7 on: July 18, 2024, 06:46:54 pm »
With no inverter or generator operation, and not plugged in, there will be no AC voltage on the wires.  You could extend/retract the slide with no danger of arcing.  As Cal says, if you are concerned about your house batteries, running the engine provides alternator power to ensure there is adequate juice.

The only potential issue with this approach, is if running your slide in or out were to bring that "frayed wire" into permanent contact with the flange or other grounded metal instead of the temporary touching that you've experienced.  If that were to occur, when you plug in, start your generator, or run the inverter, you may then apply 120-volts AC to the wire that is already in contact with ground.--creating a steady short.  Under that circumstance, the circuit breaker on that particular AC circuit should open, preventing a bigger problem, but it would be a concern.  Based on the intermittent arcing that you have experienced ONLY when actually moving the slide, this seems very unlikely to occur--but it would definitely be something to watch for.