Major power failure-need to raise jacks?

[Firedogg]

The family shared 2002? Greyhawk had a major electrical short tonight, so no power to anything right now. I found how to manually retract the slide out. But now the problem is the jacks are down and I need to raise them so we can move it into the shop to work on it. How can I manually raise the jacks? They are Powergear hydraulics, hoping there is some way beyond removing lines under pressure with other large jacks taking the load.

[LkptRvPilot]

I know this is not your system, but maybe it will help?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT925EGb8pA

The only other thing I can think of it to connect the battery directly to the hydraulics base unit as a last ditch effort.

[LkptRvPilot]

What do you mean "major electrical short"? Have you checked the circuit breakers and fuses? How did this happen?

[Firedogg]

My brother went out to start the rig to move it and ended with smoke from the battery block and then dripping plastic from the controller in the coach. So no power to anything right now. Mom had some guy put new batteries in last week and I hope he put them in right and not in series doubling to voltage. I will get down to really look at it in a few hours, but there must be a dump valve on the pump tank system for the jacks?

[TWP723]

What brand jacks?

[Firedogg]

Powergear jacks and controller.

[TWP723]

Not seeing they have a manual override.

[TWP723]

In case of a loss of power at the pump assembly, the manual override valves (MOV’s) can be used to retract the leveling

jacks. Not all Power Gear leveling system pumps have manual override valves. Power units for double acting systems

that have manual override valves have flexible rubber caps on the valves and a hex override nut under the button cap on

the electric motor.

To use the MOV’s:

1. Remove the button cap from the end of the electric motor. First remove the two Phillips head screws from the top of

the motor. The button cap can now be removed from the electric motor. You should now see a 7/16” override nut on the

end of the electric motor shaft.

2. After verifying all personnel and tools are clear of the press the rubber cap on the valve

for the front legs valve. The front end of the coach will start to descend. Only allow the

coach to descend for 2 inches.

3. Push and hold the rubber cap on the Roadside Rear valve. Allow the coach to descend

for 2 inches.

4. Push and hold the rubber cap on the Curbside Rear valve. Allow the coach to descend

for 2 inches.

5. Repeat procedures 2-4 until the weight of the coach is transferred off the jacks and onto

the suspension and tires.

[TWP723]

http://support.powergearus.com/techdocs/82-L0379.pdf


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[TWP723]

6. This procedure will retract the front legs. Using a 7/16” socket attached to a drill, spin the override nut clockwise

while holding the button on the front legs valve. Stop when the legs are fully retracted.

7. This procedure will retract the roadside rear leg. After the front legs are retracted, press the button on the roadside

rear leg valve and spin the override nut clockwise. Stop when the leg is fully retracted.

8. This procedure will retract the curbside rear leg. After the front legs are retracted, press the button on the curbside

rear leg valve and spin the override nut clockwise. Stop when the leg is fully retracted.

9. Replace the button cap on the electric motor and securely tighten the Phillips head screws.

[hoppers4]

You could manually put power to the system by using the 6 pin jack. Here's a manual that spells out the wiring.
http://support.powergearus.com/techdocs/82-L0506.pdf
These are external spring loaded jacks so you could also retract them by loosening the hose going to each jack and letting it bleed off. You would have to add some fluid to the reservoir before using the system again.

[Bluesky46]

Hope that helps. And it' sa good question and something we should all know before it becomes a crisis.
So.... Who has opinion on how to raise Big Foot jacks in event of power failure? one of the things I always fear, is it' stile to break camp, and the next occupant is waiting for your (now their) space and you can't raise the jacks, or retract the slide or the awning.

[namusmc65]

Unfortunately, most of us will wait until that moment to figure out how to do it. I have yet to crawl under my unit to find out where the access panels are for my slide out motors. I have an approximate idea, but had not tried the actual process yet. My unit sits on a gravel bed most of the time so not someplace I want to crawl around on. I would prefer a nice concrete service with a creepy crawler to scoot around on. Don't we all though!