Power Gear to Lippert Slimrack Slide Sync Controller Replacement

[Russ-USA]

Our 2019 Vista 32YE had a controller failure a few weeks ago. The rear bedroom slide would only go out on one side and only come in on the other side. It ended up 11 inches out on the back side and closed fully on the other side. I checked the controller and it showed no error LED error codes. These controllers will flash a green and red LED with various sequences to show what the error was. I was sure it was a bad controller so ordered a replacement. Here is where it was a bit of a challenge.

The Vista manual for the 2019 year we have had a section for the Slimrack slideout. What was unfortunate was that the manual for the slide components was dated 2014 and covered PowerGear components and model numbers. Winnebago never bothered to update the documentation. I know PowerGear was purchased by Lippert. The controller in the RV was labelled as Lippert but the manual still showed the older PowerGear parts and numbers. Nice.

So after researching on the internet I was able to cross reference the correct numbers and download the latest manual from Lippert.

Here are the changes in case you run into this. The controller model went from Lippert model 366701 to 697096 ($400 from Lippert). The track/rails were also different. The ones we have are a 1/2 by 1/2 heavy toothed rail and not the "S" track that I see all over. The new controller does not have a connection for the parking break switch. It has a connection for CANBUS. This is not an issue since we always set the parking break when leveling before putting the slides out.

I installed the new controller and it showed by way of LED's that the stop points were not set (one green seven red flashes). I did not have to remove the motors to pre-align the slide first. I pulled the connection for the motor on the slide side that was extended so that only the motor on the closed side was active. I pushed the rocker switch for OUT and it went out 2 inches and stopped. I found I could reset by pushing the rocker IN for 1/2 second then OUT again and the slide would move another 2 inches out. I kept doing this and going out side to measure until both sides were perfectly even. I then plugged the other motor connector back into the controller.

You now can easily set the "stops". You extend the slide all the way out and hold OUT for about 5 seconds. You should hear a clicking sound. Bring the slide all the way in and and hold for 5 seconds. You should hear clicking again. The error codes went away and now the slide works perfectly again.

I noted that the toothed rails are bowed badly in the middle on some the slides and plan on shimming them so they stay straight. The rails are only supported on the ends and have a 1/2 inch clearance to the slide wall with no support. Apparently Winnebago will shim these if you bring the RV in.
- Russ

 

[Bones2003]

Good job Russ and thanks for the information. I also have rails that are bowed so am interested in how you shim those so please provide an update when you do that.

One thing I noticed about the bowed rails is that it doesn't always seem to be the same rail every time. I thought it depended on how heavily I loaded stuff into the slide storage areas, how perfectly level my RV was, how much water has collected on the slide out toppers, and how full/empty the tanks are. My motorhome is 35ft so I expect the chassis frame will bend somewhat as the load changes. After hearing about those shims, I may need to rethink my assumptions.

 

[Russ-USA]

Thank you. For shimming I am planning on trying something a bit unorthodox. I picked up some plastic door/window shims from a local Menards (similar to Lowes and Home Depot). These are wedge shaped and measure about 7 inches by 1-1/2 inches and are about 3/8 inch thick at the wide end. I have some industrial strength adhesives ( I have both E6000 and Goop) which are very strong when set. So basically shim to where needed and use adhesive to set them in place. Dry over night. No idea if that will work but I have used the E6000 and Goop before and it is amazing stuff. If it does not hold I can always go to self tapping screws, but did not want to drill holes in the slides if I did not have to. Since all the force is pressing down and not side to side it should stay in place.

Part of the problem is the opening and slides were built so poorly they have a lot of "slop" and like you indicated move around a bit. My big concern is when I shim things I could run the risk of binding the motor gear and slide if it's too tight. On the other hand, these tracks bending they way they do cant be good for them. Some type of additional support is warranted. The other idea I had was to use adhesive rubber pads and stack them. Would have to coat them so that they are waterproof. That way there is a bit of "give" in them if needed but still keep the track supported. Oh Winnebago Winnebago...

 

[Russ-USA]

Just as a follow up. I went with rubber pads. They are nothing more than 2 inch diameter Gorilla Slip pads about 1/4 inch thick cut down to size and glued in place under the track. I coated the edges with acrylic latex silicon to water proof them since the cores looked like they are fiber. The coating dries clear. Will be interesting to see how they hold up. If not I would find a denser rubber. I used E6000 for the adhesive.