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03-06-2021, 04:17 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Barrie
Posts: 25
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Moving 12 foot slide out without battery?
We live in a snow belt in Canada, but the snow will soon be melted enough to pay visit to our fifth wheel by walking up a trail. In a few weeks, it will be safe enough to put the slide out. Since we won’t be able to get our batteries hooked up until we can drive to the site, can we use our Honda 2000 generator to move the slide?
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03-06-2021, 04:25 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,996
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There's a "big red caution decal" right next to the slide switches that says,
"CAUTION, do not operate slides or other heavy load without a fully charged battery connected to the electrical system"....
The reason for that decal is to protect the power center converter/charger from the "heavy starting load" of the slide motor. The battery "absorbs the demand" by supplying the surge, protecting the converter/charger.
You "might" get away with it a few times, heck, you might NEVER have a problem, but, there's always the possibility that the first time you push the slide switch and hear the generator "ramp up" the slide stops, and you smell "something electrical" and see smoke coming from under the steps, next to the converter/charger.... If that happens, assuming you can do the work, you're looking at around $200. If you take it to an RV dealer to get it done, expect at least double that amount... If you're trailer is still in warranty or if you have an extended warranty and they find out how it happened, they probably won't cover the damage.
Short answer: I wouldn't risk it.... YMMV
IMHO, a GP24 battery or even a GP27 battery doesn't weigh that much more than a Honda 2000 generator.....
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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03-06-2021, 05:18 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,222
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So where is the generator currently?
__________________
Russ & Paula and Belle the Beagle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 14,000# GVWR (New TV)
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS 32’ GVWR 12,360
Visit and enjoy Oregon State Parks
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03-06-2021, 06:03 PM
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#4
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Barrie
Posts: 25
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Thanks for the info & your advice. Much appreciated.
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03-06-2021, 06:04 PM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Barrie
Posts: 25
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We have a small storage shed on our property near the trailer.
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03-06-2021, 06:08 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Upper Chesapeake Bay
Posts: 4,836
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Maybe you can leave a battery at the site with a small solar charger and use that battery for slide operation..even if you leave it in the shed and put the solar charger mounted to the wall so it doesn’t get snow accumulation on it
__________________
2020 Cougar 315 RLS
2020 Ram 3500 6.7HO 4.10 Dually Aisin
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03-06-2021, 06:30 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Barrie
Posts: 25
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That is a good idea. I will look into a solar battery charger. Right now, we have a group 27 but plan to upgrade this summer to 2 6 volt batteries.
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03-06-2021, 07:33 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 2,909
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Besides possibly damaging the converter while trying to extend a slide, and I'm assuming this is a hydraulic slide at 12 ft long, you also risk damaging the electric motor driving the hydraulic pump, and a replacement motor if you can't get your failed one rebuilt, will run in excess of $1,000.
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Bob & Becky
2012 3402 Montana
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC
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03-07-2021, 02:24 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Markham, Ontario
Posts: 1,942
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Hi Marcia,
I lived in Barrie for 27 yrs.
My trailer is stored in Mount St Louis / Moonstone.
At the end of the season I remove the battery and keep it at home. I keep it warm and check it regularly for charge and distilled water. I like to head up the first warm spell in April with the battery fully charged, to run the 12v system, I am also able to run 120v power to it from the house, which allows me to use 120 volt appliances and the converter to keep battery charged while using 12v appliances. Your generator will be the 120v source for your appliances and help keep the battery charged for the 12v appliances. That's when I start to get it ready for the season.
If you're using the battery more than opening slides a couple of times and wanting to use 12v appliances, you may want to ensure the battery is fully charged after use.
If I spend a day up there and use it to just check trailer I bring the battery home with me. If I'm working on the trailer for a few days I use a smart battery charger over night to keep it topped up and run that from the 120v from the house.
Good luck and happy camping
__________________
Dan & Serena
2019 GMC SIERRA 2500 HD SLE
2015 Cougar X-Lite 29 RET
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03-07-2021, 05:29 AM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Barrie
Posts: 25
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Thanks, Dan & Serena. Based on answers from fellow RVers, we will not use the Honda generator to move the slide so will now wait to install the battery. What size battery do you use?
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03-07-2021, 06:34 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Markham, Ontario
Posts: 1,942
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We just have the dealer supplied 12v Interstate Group 24 battery.
We don't boondock.
__________________
Dan & Serena
2019 GMC SIERRA 2500 HD SLE
2015 Cougar X-Lite 29 RET
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03-12-2021, 12:33 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Rock Island
Posts: 457
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I’ve seen dealers use a portable jump box like you use to jump start the car.
I’ve been keeping one in the rig just in case I need to pull the slides in when the batteries are weak. It’s a battery air compressor combo.
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03-12-2021, 12:52 PM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Barrie
Posts: 25
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Thanks! Something to look into.
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