leveling question..

[jdaniel]

When I set my HWH system to automatically level, the right side never drops so it ends up cocked up several inches. I can hear the air letting out of the left side but now the right. Whats my first step?

[77newell]

Jimmy: I'm new to the HWH system, but let me share what I think I know. First, let me state that I assume you hear air letting out of the left but NOT (instead of now) the right. There are two major parts to the system; the control system and the "6-packs" air control solenoid valves.

First thing I would think of is to confirm that the "6-packs" are responding to input signals by doing a cycle of manual adjustments; I would manually raise and lower the front, left side, right side and rear of the coach. If all these operations happen as demanded you know the control panel, wiring in and out of the control box, and solenoid valves are operating as designed. If this is not the case then at least you know what parts of that part of the system is not doing their job. I'm guessing you will find this test goes off without a hitch.

The other part of system is the level sensing device and wiring. Given the pattern of automatic leveling (that is anything but) I'm guessing there is a problem with the level sensor sending a wrong signal. I believe the level sensor is a set of four mercury switches that are selectively turned on when the mercury gravitates to the low side and thereby signaling the control box to trigger the solenoid controlling the high side suspension to release air and bring the coach into level. Given that you always end up tilting left (not a political statement here just a physical observation) I suspect the mercury switch sensing right side low is stuck in the on position somehow, or at least the control box is getting a right side low signal somehow. One way to test this is to manually level the coach as best you can and then check for output voltage from the sensor, as I understand the system (remember I'm still early on in my learning) there should be no voltage signals from the sensor. I've been assuming in all this that this problem came on suddenly after an extended period of the system working correctly. If that is not the case then you may want to check the "levelocity" of the sensor.

I hope all this helps and I certainly invite others to chime in where I've gone off level so to speak.

[jdaniel]

My manual controls have never worked but I never worried about it because I would just press the level button, and it would level. The auto leveling has always worked like a charm. It feels like the auto level is still cycling thru correctly but the right rear is just not responding.

[jdaniel]

I guess it's time to fix the manual controls too. I know there's a control panel, the ribbon wiring and the control box in bay behind right front tire. I need to be able to troubleshoot and see where the problem lies.

[77newell]

Jimmy: I know just enough to be dangerous. If the right rear isn't responding then I would think that my test would be to see if the solenoid there that should be responding is indeed responding by holding your hand on the rear 6-pack while having someone else press the auto level button and feeling what solenoids respond. If one you believe should respond doesn't then I would check for voltage to it. If no voltage then the problem is in the control system and not the 6-pack. If there is voltage but no solenoid response then the solenoid has failed. Just trying to save you from doing repairs on the control panel and such if possible.

[folivier]

Since the solenoids have an electro-magnet you can use a piece of iron such as a nail to see when they are energized.

[77newell]

Forest: I can't believe I didn't think of that, that is so cool and logical

[folivier]

Wow, someone besides my granddaughter thinks I'm cool! :)

[Chester B. Stone, Jr.]

I'm impressed. Hope I can remember it.

[jdaniel]

Thanks. Ill try that. I had priced the control panel before and didn't want to go that route unless I had to. When I noticed the manual controls didn't work years ago, I priced the panel. It was pricey. Ill try the nail test tomorrow

[rellick]

Jon, you will know how the auto levelling system so well after this maybe you might consider building a system for my 77? It would be a nice upgrade rather than the Hathaway system.:thumbsup:

[77newell]

Keith: what is the Hathaway system? I'm having one of the Ehhhh? moments.

[rellick]

Jon, they are the hydraulic folding jacks, they are tucked up underneath. Each one has its own pump and there is a switch control box on the dash for the up and down etc, would be nice just to have the six packs with just switches that control the air bags, the auto levelling isnt really a concern. What does your 77 have for levelling?

[77newell]

Keith: my 77 had the old school wood blocks leveling. After I had calculated that side to side leveling required about 1" per one degree and front to back required about 4" per one degree I got pretty good at leveling without a lot of trial and error. Thankfully most sites are not way out of level or my method wouldn't work. There is only so high I'm willing to build wood mountain.

[jdaniel]

Anyone know of a trouble shooting guide for the HWH leveling system?

[NewellCrazy]

Anyone know of a trouble shooting guide for the HWH leveling system?

Hey Jimmy,

Here you go:


http://www.hwhcorp.com/ml35963.pdf

[jdaniel]

Thanks a bunch! That's what I needed!