Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

1. On an 82 FC, can the generator be accessed without the coach being
aired up? If so, how?

2. My step isn't working. When aired up, it's in, when unaired, it
flops out about 2/3 of the way. My diagnostics is hindered by the
fact that I don't know which way the switches on the dash and in the
nook to the left of the step should be in, in order for the step to be
in or out. Can someone explain the correct operation of the switches
for me? The light on the dash switch shows the step extended until it
airs up.

Kerry, the answer to your first question is NO. Since the genset tray
opeates by a pnuematic cyclander air is required to move it in and out.
UNLESS you disconnect the cylander. Now you can air the coach WITHOUT
starting it, by using an air compressor and the schrader valve under
the wet tank (I think it is the wet tank) under the coach.

The step...ahh...the step...it seems that on most coaches at one time
or another many have worked on the step..so no telling what you have
without lookin at it. On my coach the switch in the transfer
compartment is "clicked" toward the door when the step is to stay out.
There is a pneumatic cylander that locks the step in place as well. A
pin the size of a pencil slides in and out through a bracket on the
step. The light on the dash when lit showing step extended would seem
to me that the step is extended and that is to let you know such
condition. Did the step ever work correctly?? It may be a simple
reverse some wires to make it correct.

When the step is sort of "floppin" as you described it seems that it is
in the position to work in and out based on , switches on the door
frame, above your head, if air was present. The air manifold should be
directly under the coach at the step..LOOK THERE FOR LOOSE WIRES.. NOTE
BE VERY CAREFULL THAT STEP CAN SERIOUSLY HURT YOU IF YOUR HEAD OR HAND
IS IN THE WAY AND IT DECIDES TO WORK.

The step issue is kind of an oxymoron, it is a very simple system, that
is soooo complicated that it is unreal. I would suggest you check your
Blue Box or do a search on the forum to check for trouble shooting.
There have been volumes written about it. If you continue to have
problems let me know I have been there...and I have some info I would
be happy to email to you. Oh don"t forget to sign your posts.

Scott B
86FC
SC

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davidkerryedwards"
wrote:
>
> 1. On an 82 FC, can the generator be accessed without the coach being
> aired up? If so, how?
>
> 2. My step isn't working. When aired up, it's in, when unaired, it
> flops out about 2/3 of the way. My diagnostics is hindered by the
> fact that I don't know which way the switches on the dash and in the
> nook to the left of the step should be in, in order for the step to
be
> in or out. Can someone explain the correct operation of the switches
> for me? The light on the dash switch shows the step extended until
it
> airs up.
>

Thanks. What about the switch on the dash? Does it need to be in a
specific position for the switch by the step to function? I'm
confused by having two separate switches that control it's
function. Does one override the other?

Kerry

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott"
wrote:
>
> Kerry, the answer to your first question is NO. Since the genset
tray
> opeates by a pnuematic cyclander air is required to move it in and
out.
> UNLESS you disconnect the cylander. Now you can air the coach
WITHOUT
> starting it, by using an air compressor and the schrader valve
under
> the wet tank (I think it is the wet tank) under the coach.
>
> The step...ahh...the step...it seems that on most coaches at one
time
> or another many have worked on the step..so no telling what you
have
> without lookin at it. On my coach the switch in the transfer
> compartment is "clicked" toward the door when the step is to stay
out.
> There is a pneumatic cylander that locks the step in place as
well. A
> pin the size of a pencil slides in and out through a bracket on
the
> step. The light on the dash when lit showing step extended would
seem
> to me that the step is extended and that is to let you know such
> condition. Did the step ever work correctly?? It may be a simple
> reverse some wires to make it correct.
>
> When the step is sort of "floppin" as you described it seems that
it is
> in the position to work in and out based on , switches on the door
> frame, above your head, if air was present. The air manifold
should be
> directly under the coach at the step..LOOK THERE FOR LOOSE WIRES..
NOTE
> BE VERY CAREFULL THAT STEP CAN SERIOUSLY HURT YOU IF YOUR HEAD OR
HAND
> IS IN THE WAY AND IT DECIDES TO WORK.
>
> The step issue is kind of an oxymoron, it is a very simple system,
that
> is soooo complicated that it is unreal. I would suggest you check
your
> Blue Box or do a search on the forum to check for trouble
shooting.
> There have been volumes written about it. If you continue to have
> problems let me know I have been there...and I have some info I
would
> be happy to email to you. Oh don"t forget to sign your posts.
>
> Scott B
> 86FC
> SC
>
>

In a message dated 3/14/2006 8:14:17 PM Central Standard Time,
jamiller@... writes:

The battery can be reached and jumped from under the coach with the
tray in.



years ago, when I had my fc for sale at a consignment lot, they told me
they would keep her plugged in. went to check on her and it wouldn't start. had
to crawl underneath and hook up jumper cables to generator battery. so much
for consignment lots with no electrical hookups. ernie-83pt40









i


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Either switch can operate the step, like a three way switch in your
house. that is why there is no label for in or out on the switches.
if you have tried either switch in both positions then it should have
caused the step to operate (if you have air), if the door is open,
step out,,Ect! On my 83 there is a relay in the compartment by the
door where the switch is. You can check for voltage there, and see if
the relay is engauging.

Thanks
Bruce Campbell
Clearwater, FL
83'FC 35 SB
"Blue Skies"




--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davidkerryedwards"
wrote:
>
> Thanks. What about the switch on the dash? Does it need to be in
a
> specific position for the switch by the step to function? I'm
> confused by having two separate switches that control it's
> function. Does one override the other?
>
> Kerry
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott"
> wrote:
> >
> > Kerry, the answer to your first question is NO. Since the genset
> tray
> > opeates by a pnuematic cyclander air is required to move it in
and
> out.
> > UNLESS you disconnect the cylander. Now you can air the coach
> WITHOUT
> > starting it, by using an air compressor and the schrader valve
> under
> > the wet tank (I think it is the wet tank) under the coach.
> >
> > The step...ahh...the step...it seems that on most coaches at one
> time
> > or another many have worked on the step..so no telling what you
> have
> > without lookin at it. On my coach the switch in the transfer
> > compartment is "clicked" toward the door when the step is to stay
> out.
> > There is a pneumatic cylander that locks the step in place as
> well. A
> > pin the size of a pencil slides in and out through a bracket on
> the
> > step. The light on the dash when lit showing step extended would
> seem
> > to me that the step is extended and that is to let you know such
> > condition. Did the step ever work correctly?? It may be a simple
> > reverse some wires to make it correct.
> >
> > When the step is sort of "floppin" as you described it seems that
> it is
> > in the position to work in and out based on , switches on the
door
> > frame, above your head, if air was present. The air manifold
> should be
> > directly under the coach at the step..LOOK THERE FOR LOOSE
WIRES..
> NOTE
> > BE VERY CAREFULL THAT STEP CAN SERIOUSLY HURT YOU IF YOUR HEAD OR
> HAND
> > IS IN THE WAY AND IT DECIDES TO WORK.
> >
> > The step issue is kind of an oxymoron, it is a very simple
system,
> that
> > is soooo complicated that it is unreal. I would suggest you check
> your
> > Blue Box or do a search on the forum to check for trouble
> shooting.
> > There have been volumes written about it. If you continue to have
> > problems let me know I have been there...and I have some info I
> would
> > be happy to email to you. Oh don"t forget to sign your posts.
> >
> > Scott B
> > 86FC
> > SC
> >
> >
>

Kerry, the answer is not really! :>) The dash switch will over ride
the step switch. The step switch will work the step I guess designed
to flip the switch as you head out/in the door. I very seldom use the
dash switch. Why not try some combinations of the switches..as I said
it could have been modified...By the way did you do the search of the
forum archives of posts..there is LOTS of info on the steps and how
they work. You did say previous that you had a Blue Box anything in
there??

Scott B
86FC35
SC

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davidkerryedwards"
wrote:
>
> Thanks. What about the switch on the dash? Does it need to be in
a
> specific position for the switch by the step to function? I'm
> confused by having two separate switches that control it's
> function. Does one override the other?
>
> Kerry
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott"
> wrote:
> >
> > Kerry, the answer to your first question is NO. Since the genset
> tray
> > opeates by a pnuematic cyclander air is required to move it in
and
> out.
> > UNLESS you disconnect the cylander. Now you can air the coach
> WITHOUT
> > starting it, by using an air compressor and the schrader valve
> under
> > the wet tank (I think it is the wet tank) under the coach.
> >
> > The step...ahh...the step...it seems that on most coaches at one
> time
> > or another many have worked on the step..so no telling what you
> have
> > without lookin at it. On my coach the switch in the transfer
> > compartment is "clicked" toward the door when the step is to stay
> out.
> > There is a pneumatic cylander that locks the step in place as
> well. A
> > pin the size of a pencil slides in and out through a bracket on
> the
> > step. The light on the dash when lit showing step extended would
> seem
> > to me that the step is extended and that is to let you know such
> > condition. Did the step ever work correctly?? It may be a simple
> > reverse some wires to make it correct.
> >
> > When the step is sort of "floppin" as you described it seems that
> it is
> > in the position to work in and out based on , switches on the
door
> > frame, above your head, if air was present. The air manifold
> should be
> > directly under the coach at the step..LOOK THERE FOR LOOSE
WIRES..
> NOTE
> > BE VERY CAREFULL THAT STEP CAN SERIOUSLY HURT YOU IF YOUR HEAD OR
> HAND
> > IS IN THE WAY AND IT DECIDES TO WORK.
> >
> > The step issue is kind of an oxymoron, it is a very simple
system,
> that
> > is soooo complicated that it is unreal. I would suggest you check
> your
> > Blue Box or do a search on the forum to check for trouble
> shooting.
> > There have been volumes written about it. If you continue to have
> > problems let me know I have been there...and I have some info I
> would
> > be happy to email to you. Oh don"t forget to sign your posts.
> >
> > Scott B
> > 86FC
> > SC
> >
> >
>

I have the blue box and the manuals. I did try the switches in
every combination and nothing worked. I just wanted to make sure I
wasn't missing anything in the switch combos before doing any
further diagnostics. I haven't crawled under to get a good look at
the mechanism yet. Once I do and can begin to visualize the
situation I'll dig into it. I'm heading off with the BB for spring
break next week so I'm thinking I'll crawl under there some warm
afternoon.
I realize this is heresy, but the manual pull-out step on my Travco
has its advantages.

Kerry

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott"
wrote:
>
> Kerry, the answer is not really! :>) The dash switch will over
ride
> the step switch. The step switch will work the step I guess
designed
> to flip the switch as you head out/in the door. I very seldom use
the
> dash switch. Why not try some combinations of the switches..as I
said
> it could have been modified...By the way did you do the search of
the
> forum archives of posts..there is LOTS of info on the steps and
how
> they work. You did say previous that you had a Blue Box anything
in
> there??
>
> Scott B
>

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davidkerryedwards"
wrote:
>
> I have the blue box and the manuals. I did try the switches in
> every combination and nothing worked. I just wanted to make sure I
> wasn't missing anything in the switch combos before doing any
> further diagnostics. I haven't crawled under to get a good look at
> the mechanism yet. Once I do and can begin to visualize the
> situation I'll dig into it. I'm heading off with the BB for spring
> break next week so I'm thinking I'll crawl under there some warm
> afternoon.
> I realize this is heresy, but the manual pull-out step on my Travco
> has its advantages.
>
> Kerry
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott"
> wrote:
> >
> > Kerry, the answer is not really! :>) The dash switch will over
> ride
> > the step switch. The step switch will work the step I guess
> designed
> > to flip the switch as you head out/in the door. I very seldom use
> the
> > dash switch. Why not try some combinations of the switches..as I
> said
> > it could have been modified...By the way did you do the search of
> the
> > forum archives of posts..there is LOTS of info on the steps and
> how
> > they work. You did say previous that you had a Blue Box anything
> in
> > there??
> >
> > Scott B



I just finished with getting my steps to work on my 78 and the
only thing that I can see that would be different from mine is that I
don't have that cutoft switch on the dash.

The first thing I would do is to see if you have power to the
togel switch by the door! Just lossen the switch and remove it so you
can use a meger or a 12 volt light tester to see if you have power to
that switch. Next make sure you have power across that switch. On
mine and probably yours also you will have two wires leading oft the
negative side of that switch. One of those wires will run down to a
pressure switch that looks like a heater strip witch is mounted right
under the sill plate located as you step into the coach. This strip
is suppose to sence pressure if you happen to get your foot under the
sill and it will stop the air pistons that opperate the steeps.
This is where I had my problem as the pressure sencing tap was
grounding internally and my steeps would not go in!!

Now getting back to that togel switch like I said one of those wires
will run to the pressure switch and that one will run back up to the
door switch (The one that looks like a button and closes when the
door is shut) The other wire will run also to that same push button
switch and you should have power to that switch when you have the
togel in the proper position. This switch is another area that I had
a problem with as it is expossed to the elements and if it does not
make contact across the switch than your steps won't work.

I would check the togel switch first than the second button switch
located on the door sill. You could disconect that pressure switch
from either the toggel switch or the push bottom switch to see if
that could be your problem.

I hope this made sence to you!
1. Check to see if you have power to the togel switch
2. Check togel to see that power will go on and oft across the
switch
3. Check to see if you have power down to the push button on door
sill.
4. Check to see if you have power across the push botton switch

5. If you want to remove the wire that leads to the pressure
switch for testing you can either do this at the togel switch or
negative side of the push botton switch. (This is where I had all my
problems)

6. Good Luck

Jon
1978 Wanderlodge
Bremeerton Washington

> >
>

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Jon" wrote:
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davidkerryedwards"
> wrote:
> >
> > I have the blue box and the manuals. I did try the switches in
> > every combination and nothing worked. I just wanted to make sure
I
> > wasn't missing anything in the switch combos before doing any
> > further diagnostics. I haven't crawled under to get a good look
at
> > the mechanism yet. Once I do and can begin to visualize the
> > situation I'll dig into it. I'm heading off with the BB for
spring
> > break next week so I'm thinking I'll crawl under there some warm
> > afternoon.
> > I realize this is heresy, but the manual pull-out step on my
Travco
> > has its advantages.
> >
> > Kerry
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Kerry, the answer is not really! :>) The dash switch will over
> > ride
> > > the step switch. The step switch will work the step I guess
> > designed
> > > to flip the switch as you head out/in the door. I very seldom
use
> > the
> > > dash switch. Why not try some combinations of the switches..as
I
> > said
> > > it could have been modified...By the way did you do the search
of
> > the
> > > forum archives of posts..there is LOTS of info on the steps and
> > how
> > > they work. You did say previous that you had a Blue Box
anything
> > in
> > > there??
> > >
> > > Scott B
>
>
>
> I just finished with getting my steps to work on my 78 and the
> only thing that I can see that would be different from mine is that
I
> don't have that cutoft switch on the dash.
>
> The first thing I would do is to see if you have power to the
> togel switch by the door! Just lossen the switch and remove it so
you
> can use a meger or a 12 volt light tester to see if you have power
to
> that switch. Next make sure you have power across that switch. On
> mine and probably yours also you will have two wires leading oft
the
> negative side of that switch. One of those wires will run down to
a
> pressure switch that looks like a heater strip witch is mounted
right
> under the sill plate located as you step into the coach. This
strip
> is suppose to sence pressure if you happen to get your foot under
the
> sill and it will stop the air pistons that opperate the steeps.
> This is where I had my problem as the pressure sencing tap was
> grounding internally and my steeps would not go in!!
>
> Now getting back to that togel switch like I said one of those
wires
> will run to the pressure switch and that one will run back up to
the
> door switch (The one that looks like a button and closes when the
> door is shut) The other wire will run also to that same push button
> switch and you should have power to that switch when you have the
> togel in the proper position. This switch is another area that I
had
> a problem with as it is expossed to the elements and if it does not
> make contact across the switch than your steps won't work.
>
> I would check the togel switch first than the second button switch
> located on the door sill. You could disconect that pressure switch
> from either the toggel switch or the push bottom switch to see if
> that could be your problem.
>
> I hope this made sence to you!
> 1. Check to see if you have power to the togel switch
> 2. Check togel to see that power will go on and oft across the
> switch
> 3. Check to see if you have power down to the push button on
door
> sill.
> 4. Check to see if you have power across the push botton switch
>
> 5. If you want to remove the wire that leads to the pressure
> switch for testing you can either do this at the togel switch or
> negative side of the push botton switch. (This is where I had all
my
> problems)
>
> 6. Good Luck
>
> Jon
> 1978 Wanderlodge
> Bremeerton Washington

HERE IS A FIELD SKETCH FOR YOUR STEPS HOPE IT HELPS. JON
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/1942...eprint.jpg
>
> > >
> >
>

Thanks. I'll take my multimeter with me on the trip and try to
trace things out. That is very helpful.

Kerry

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Jon" wrote:
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davidkerryedwards"
> wrote:
> >
> > I have the blue box and the manuals. I did try the switches in
> > every combination and nothing worked. I just wanted to make
sure I
> > wasn't missing anything in the switch combos before doing any
> > further diagnostics. I haven't crawled under to get a good look
at
> > the mechanism yet. Once I do and can begin to visualize the
> > situation I'll dig into it. I'm heading off with the BB for
spring
> > break next week so I'm thinking I'll crawl under there some warm
> > afternoon.
> > I realize this is heresy, but the manual pull-out step on my
Travco
> > has its advantages.
> >
> > Kerry
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Kerry, the answer is not really! :>) The dash switch will over
> > ride
> > > the step switch. The step switch will work the step I guess
> > designed
> > > to flip the switch as you head out/in the door. I very seldom
use
> > the
> > > dash switch. Why not try some combinations of the switches..as
I
> > said
> > > it could have been modified...By the way did you do the search
of
> > the
> > > forum archives of posts..there is LOTS of info on the steps
and
> > how
> > > they work. You did say previous that you had a Blue Box
anything
> > in
> > > there??
> > >
> > > Scott B
>
>
>
> I just finished with getting my steps to work on my 78 and the
> only thing that I can see that would be different from mine is
that I
> don't have that cutoft switch on the dash.
>
> The first thing I would do is to see if you have power to the
> togel switch by the door! Just lossen the switch and remove it so
you
> can use a meger or a 12 volt light tester to see if you have power
to
> that switch. Next make sure you have power across that switch. On
> mine and probably yours also you will have two wires leading oft
the
> negative side of that switch. One of those wires will run down to
a
> pressure switch that looks like a heater strip witch is mounted
right
> under the sill plate located as you step into the coach. This
strip
> is suppose to sence pressure if you happen to get your foot under
the
> sill and it will stop the air pistons that opperate the steeps.
> This is where I had my problem as the pressure sencing tap was
> grounding internally and my steeps would not go in!!
>
> Now getting back to that togel switch like I said one of those
wires
> will run to the pressure switch and that one will run back up to
the
> door switch (The one that looks like a button and closes when the
> door is shut) The other wire will run also to that same push
button
> switch and you should have power to that switch when you have the
> togel in the proper position. This switch is another area that I
had
> a problem with as it is expossed to the elements and if it does
not
> make contact across the switch than your steps won't work.
>
> I would check the togel switch first than the second button switch
> located on the door sill. You could disconect that pressure switch
> from either the toggel switch or the push bottom switch to see if
> that could be your problem.
>
> I hope this made sence to you!
> 1. Check to see if you have power to the togel switch
> 2. Check togel to see that power will go on and oft across the
> switch
> 3. Check to see if you have power down to the push button on
door
> sill.
> 4. Check to see if you have power across the push botton switch
>
> 5. If you want to remove the wire that leads to the pressure
> switch for testing you can either do this at the togel switch or
> negative side of the push botton switch. (This is where I had all
my
> problems)
>
> 6. Good Luck
>
> Jon
> 1978 Wanderlodge
> Bremeerton Washington
>
> > >
> >
>