Lippert Auto Levelers - Hydraulic Problem?

[GregBassine]

Hello All,

Have a 2014' Bighorn 3260EL. It has been sitting for the Winter months (outside in Oregon), and this week-end took it in to get new tires. Worked the auto-leveler to raise the 4 leveler jacks, then the front jacks. When I went to retract the rear jacks, it worked well for a while, then all of a sudden it stopped working (all but one jack was raised). I pushed the retract button again, nothing happened. I waited about 15 seconds, tried it again... and if finished retracting the last jack (driver side rear). Thought it might just be because it had been sitting for a few months.

Raised the front jacks to load on truck and all is well. Went to raise front jacks all the way after hitch was secured, and it stopped raising midway on the passenger side jack (I used the front switch to raise the jacks). Tried the switch again to finish raising the jack and nothing. Again, waited 15 seconds and it worked and raised where it needed to be.

When I got the rig back home and same thing happened (same jacks), used the front switch to disconnect from the truck, and auto leveler panel to level.

Once at home, I retracted the 4 rear leveler jacks (leaving only the 2 front jacks down). I looked at the hydraulic fluid reservoir and it shows about 2 inches below the fill line (see photo). Can this be the problem? If so, what type of fluid would you recommend? Any feedback would of course be highly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[jnbhobe]

Replace the circut breaker that supplys the 12v to the pump 50amp

 

[GregBassine]

Thanks. Forgive me for asking, but do you know for a fact that is the problem? If so, where would the circuit breaker be that you mentioned? Is it easy to change or do I need to take it in? Could it be anything else causing the trouble? We're getting ready to head for Yosemite in a few weeks, so really need to get this fixed. Thanks for your feedback BTW.

 

[danemayer]

Here are some pictures that may help. The 12V DC Mini-circuit breaker can be changed in a few minutes with common tools. Just switch off the battery cutoff(s) before working on it.

There's a row of breakers near the battery(ies). Power from the battery is attached to one side of one of the breakers and a copper buss bar connects power to the other breakers. Look for the breaker that has a thick wire on the output side, but not on the input side. The row of breakers is probably covered by a red rubber boot.

A weak breaker is the most common cause of an interruption in operation of the hydraulics. You want a 50 amp auto-reset with the same form factor. You can often find them at auto or marine parts stores for about $10. They're also available from online sources. Dealer parts departments may also have them.

 

[GregBassine]

Well, that makes it pretty easy... thanks for going above and beyond. Attached is my breaker set. Is the hydraulic one the breaker with the heavy red wire attached? Can I just get that one breaker, or is it a breaker unit, and will need to buy the entire set of breakers?

 

[cookie]

I'm not familiar with your particular layout but if you follow that red wire it should go to the hydraulic pump.
Each breaker has its own circuit to supply so you only need to buy the one in question.
Be sure to disconnect the neutral (white) wire from the battery before changing that breaker.

Peace
Dave

 

[avvidclif]

Well, that makes it pretty easy... thanks for going above and beyond. Attached is my breaker set. Is the hydraulic one the breaker with the heavy red wire attached? Can I just get that one breaker, or is it a breaker unit, and will need to buy the entire set of breakers?

View attachment 45260

If I were a betting man I would place my money on the one by itself with the wire going to the hydraulic pump?? Make sure that's where it goes first.

 

[GregBassine]

Thanks to all! I'll check it out and get back with results. Is this for sure a 50 amp circuit breaker? I went to NAPA Auto Parts and the highest they had of my configuration was 40 amp. Not sure, but would bet that there is no manual for my BH which covers this. If anyone knows the link to a manual which does, you'd be making this guy's day.

Char & Greg Bassine
Black Lab Cooper
Tigard, OR
Heartland Owners Club #2798
2014 BH 3260EL - Geostar G574 All Steel Highway tires
2012 Chevy Silverado short bed 4X4 - Super Glide 16K Hitch
15' NW Regional Rally - Old Mill Casino, Coos Bay

 

[cookie]

It is for sure a 50 amp breaker. I have changed several including one of my own.
Your best bet for a replacement would be an RV or marine dealer.

Peace
Dave

 

[danemayer]

We've got an owner-written 12V Block Diagram and Diagnostics guide that you may find helpful. There are also a number of owner-written user guides in this folder that may answer questions you have.

 

[oldelmer1]

I had the exact same problem, here is the one I bought and now I have no issues. My slides would stop going in also.

http://www.amazon.com/Bussmann-CBC-...&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00

 

[avvidclif]

I think I'm going to put one of those in my emergency kit. That way I'll never need it.

 

[oldelmer1]

I think I'm going to put one of those in my emergency kit. That way I'll never need it.

LOL,I bought 3, 1 installed, 2 spares. Bussman use to be the best you could buy, so far so good.

I did buy an AMP meter and checked the draw on that line going to the pump, it draws a good 85 - 90 amps. But the new Bussman handled it no problem.

 

[GregBassine]

Thank you to all!!! Everything you mentioned was very helpful to this near rookie RV'er. I have bookmarked and/or printed all the material you all mentioned for future reference. I think I'll also get some of those mini-fuses and keep them in my tool kit.

I think (hope) I resolved the issue. Upon further inspection, if looked like my AFT fluid was lower than I though (about 4 inches low). I added 2 quarts and am still a little low. I recycled the unit 5 times to clear out any air bubbles, and so far everything works great. I looked for leaks but couldn't find any. It is a 2014 (which we bought in 2013) so might just have needed fluid (I hope). Anyway, will go with that for now. If doesn't down the road it still doesn't work, I'll have some of those 50 amp fuses ready. Thanks again to all!

Char & Greg Bassine
Black Lab Cooper
Tigard, OR
Heartland Owners Club #2798
2014 BH 3260EL - Geostar G574 All Steel Highway tires
2012 Chevy Silverado short bed 4X4 - Super Glide 16K Hitch
15' NW Regional Rally - Old Mill Casino, Coos Bay

 

[danemayer]

One other thing. A weak battery or loose/dirty battery cable connections can cause a voltage drop, which in turn can cause the pump to draw more amps, tripping the breaker. So clean and tighten the battery connections.

 

[GregBassine]

Thanks, will do. Do all these fuses have a breaker reset?

Char & Greg Bassine
Black Lab Cooper
Tigard, OR
Heartland Owners Club #2798
2014 BH 3260EL - Geostar G574 All Steel Highway tires
2012 Chevy Silverado short bed 4X4 - Super Glide 16K Hitch
15' NW Regional Rally - Old Mill Casino, Coos Bay

 

[danemayer]

Thanks, will do. Do all these fuses have a breaker reset?

Char & Greg Bassine

The ones shown are circuit breakers. Most automatically reset. The one breaker between the battery and Power Convert/Fuse Box has a manual reset button.

 

[mlpeloquin]

Here is the data sheet for Cooper Bussman. http://www1.cooperbussmann.com/pdf/8ac9dccd-5296-4a07-b0a9-22af65388012.pdf

Go to page six and you will see just how much current is required to trip a breaker instantly. This is why a 50 amp breaker can be used to supply 85 to 90 amps for a short period of time so long as it is at rated specifications. A 50 amp breaker will trip instantly with 1.5kA. It takes a growing period of time with less and less current.

 

[Bob&Patty]

Same question as Dan's. What shape of charge was your battery. Was your trailer electrical cable hooked to your truck?

 

[avvidclif]

Here is the data sheet for Cooper Bussman. http://www1.cooperbussmann.com/pdf/8ac9dccd-5296-4a07-b0a9-22af65388012.pdf

Go to page six and you will see just how much current is required to trip a breaker instantly. This is why a 50 amp breaker can be used to supply 85 to 90 amps for a short period of time so long as it is at rated specifications. A 50 amp breaker will trip instantly with 1.5kA. It takes a growing period of time with less and less current.

I can't believe a 50A breaker requires 1500A to trip immediately. That has to be a misprint. Maybe 150A as that would be 3 times the rating. I double checked the data sheet and it really does say that.