Sticky Solenoid - Lippert System

Pull Toy · 06-06-2021, 12:04 PM

The Alpine sat for close to two years because of the pandemic. We are planning our first trip next week, and the contacts are being stubborn in the Lippert Dual Polarity Solenoid that controls the hydraulics on my room slides, and my 6 way Level Up.

On shore power I have 13.6 vdc at the positive post on the solenoid, and 0 ohms to ground. Fluid levels are fine. The buttons will work one time, and just click the next time. I have cleaned and tightened all of the electrical fittings. If I gently bang the solenoid while my wife pushes a button, it starts working again for both the sliders, and the Level Up, and will complete the evolution.

It is a tight fit to get into the compartment, but is there a way to clean the contacts. Any thoughts about exercising the switches several times? I don't want t overheat the hydro pump. I'll order a new solenoid tomorrow, but I'd like to be able to trust this one till I can replace it.

Thanks in advance,

ChuckS · 06-06-2021, 01:14 PM

The Bakelite housing is riveted together.. order a new solenoid.. also before ordering a new solenoid have you measured the actual voltage present at the extend and retract terminals on the solenoid when switch is depressed?

First pic shows where to verify 12 volts DC to solenoid…second pic shows extend and retract terminals m

Move RED meter lead to extend or retract side and operate slide out switch or level up panel..

The voltage needs to read over 12 volts for successful operation of auto level.. same for slide out operation.

If voltage is dropping below 12 volts DC and hooked to shore power with good battery you have corroded or loose connections …

Rereading your post indicates you measured 12 volts to source terminal on solenoid and it was good..

BUt.. measure voltages at extend and retract terminals..

If good then new solenoid is the way Id go… I own an Alpine

Pull Toy · 06-06-2021, 01:49 PM

Thanks Chuck,

1. If I get stuck, can I jumper hot to the terminal to retract to get home?

2. Is the hose clamp what holds the relay assembly in place, or do I need to remove the whole pump?

Thanks again,

LHaven · 06-06-2021, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChuckS

First pic shows where to verify 12 volts DC to solenoid…

I'm assuming from the photo caption that this is from an "official" Lippert manual that I can't locate on the web.

My word. Doesn't anybody take pride in their work anymore?

"Hook the lead to something in the back that is obscured by all these irrelevant wires that I didn't bother to spread out of the way before taking the picture"

Clearly this guy never made it in the world of glamour portrait photography.

LHaven · 06-06-2021, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pull Toy

1. If I get stuck, can I jumper hot to the terminal to retract to get home?

Did your rig not come with a manual crank rod for use in case of slide failure?

ChuckS · 06-06-2021, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LHaven

I'm assuming from the photo caption that this is from an "official" Lippert manual that I can't locate on the web.

My word. Doesn't anybody take pride in their work anymore?

"Hook the lead to something in the back that is obscured by all these irrelevant wires that I didn't bother to spread out of the way before taking the picture"

Clearly this guy never made it in the world of glamour portrait photography.

The pic is from my Alpine and my meter and leads.. it’s clear enough where the leads need to go..to me..

ChuckS · 06-06-2021, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LHaven

Did your rig not come with a manual crank rod for use in case of slide failure?

There is NO crank rod to use.. either the pump motor runs OR you use a cordless drill with 1/4 inch Allen but and 5/32 Allen wrench with short end and manually open each Hydac valve and run pump motor with drill and then close respective Hydac valve and proceed to next ..

Example.
Frt LG .. one Hydac valve for both
Left mid/rear levelers .. one Hydac valve
Right mid/rear levelers .. one Hydac valve
Hydraulic slides.. one Hydac valve for ALL
Each valve has to be manually opened, run drill and then close that valve and proceed to next.

ChuckS · 06-06-2021, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pull Toy

Thanks Chuck,

1. If I get stuck, can I jumper hot to the terminal to retract to get home?

2. Is the hose clamp what holds the relay assembly in place, or do I need to remove the whole pump?

Thanks again,

Yes if the solenoid fails you can do that OR use manual override with cordless drill and necessary Allen bits… 1/4 for pump motor and 5/32 for Hydac valves

The solenoid is held to motor via a clamp amd NO need to remove anything but that and of course the associated leads (with 12 volts removed) t9 facilitate a change of solenoids

LHaven · 06-06-2021, 02:35 PM

Well, no offense meant. Personal photography is one thing. I've seen similar examples in troubleshooting guides put out by product manufacturers (especially from China), and they're hell to work with.

ChuckS · 06-06-2021, 02:37 PM

Video I made on my Alpine on how to manually over ride if pump motor, solenoid, level up panel or ALL 12 volts fails on your Alpine.. my video ain’t the most polished in the world but it shows you what you need and what to do for manual over ride specifically for the Alpine fifth wheel..

https://youtu.be/XzPMZHGn5a8

ChuckS · 06-06-2021, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LHaven

Well, no offense meant. Personal photography is one thing. I've seen similar examples in troubleshooting guides put out by product manufacturers (especially from China), and they're hell to work with.

None taken. The overall wiring is OEM on my Alpine. I’ve dressed up some wiring but “if it ain’t broke” I usually keep OEM..

Pull Toy · 06-06-2021, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChuckS

The pic is from my Alpine and my meter and leads.. it’s clear enough where the leads need to go..to me..

Me too Chuck! No difficulty figuring it out at all when you know what you're looking at.

Thanks again,

ChuckS · 06-06-2021, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pull Toy

Me too Chuck! No difficulty figuring it out at all when you know what you're looking at.

Thanks again,

If you need further help with anything on that Alpine give me a holler.. I feel Ima, pretty well versed with every system on the unit

ChuckS · 06-06-2021, 02:49 PM

Video made by me showing you how to measure voltage right at dual polarity solenoid during auto level.. the voltage must stay at 12 volts or higher DC during auto level or it will usually error out..

You can make same checks with your hydraulic slide outs

https://youtu.be/bDI3nFz6lUs

bobbecky · 06-06-2021, 07:46 PM

This is the diagnostic sheet for the hydraulic pump system which includes the reversing solenoid. https://lci-support-doc.s3.amazonaws...cd_0001894.pdf

And this is the Trombetta reversing solenoid if a replacement is needed https://www.amazon.com/Trombetta-214...3037458&sr=8-4

Pull Toy · 06-07-2021, 01:56 PM

Chuck, here's a shout-out for your diagnostic help! It helped me solve the mystery, and thanks to everybody for your helpful input!

Ultimately the problem turned out to be a loose or floating ground at the grounding stud on the solenoid. Once you undo the nut and remove the wire lug, there is second nut that can be cleaned and re-tightened. Once I re-tightened this, everything has been working fine. I think I was seeing a good ground because I was pushing my probe against the stud just hard enough to make the ground. When I took my probe off, sometimes the ground was sufficient, sometimes not based on vibration.

Thanks again to all,

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